10 Days on Oahu was NOT enough!!!

We could have stayed longer -- we would have liked to stay longer! There was soooooo much to do and see on Oahu, and it was fabulous! We have tons and tons of pictures. I've tried to share the best ones and since I was the primary camera operator, there are none of me!!! But I was there, I promise! :) Here are a few more: sunset at Sunset Beach, hiking in the rain forest (we didn't get too far, but that's another story...), and a rocky beach where we found cool pieces of coral and rock to bring home.

Hanauma Bay, Oahu

On November 8, 2007, we went to Hanauma Bay on Oahu. Hanauma Bay was declared a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park in 1967. There is a diverse population of marine life and a large, rich coral reef, which snorkelers can enjoy. The bay floor is actually the crater of an ancient volcano that flooded when the exterior wall collapsed and the ocean rushed in. There is a large sandy beach, which the girls enjoyed making sand castles on. Scott and I really enjoyed snorkeling and seeing all the marine life -- Scott was lucky enough to see a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle swimming from pocket to pocket in the coral reef! We really wished we had a second day to go there. It was incredible and probably our favorite thing that we did on Oahu! Scott took pictures with an underwater camera, which will take some time to develop -- check back often for new pictures! They are back -- check out the turtle one!!!

Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona Memorial

The USS Arizona Memorial is the final resting place for many of the battleship's 1,177 crew members who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The 184-foot-long Memorial structure spanning the mid-portion of the sunken battleship consists of three main sections: the entry and assembly rooms (flag picture); a central area designed for ceremonies and general observation; and the shrine room, where the names of those killed on the battleship Arizona are engraved on the marble wall. The Memorial commemorates the site where World War II began for the United States. The United States entered into World War II with the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan.

Let us all remember the tragic loss of those who gave their lives in WWII and say a prayer for our service men and women who now protect and serve our country.

Dole Pineapple Plantation

On November 6th we went to Dole Pineapple Plantation on Oahu. We started off by exploring the "World's Largest Maze" as featured in the 2001 Guinness Book of World Records. You had to find eight stations in the maze, and it took us almost 2 exhausting hours! Scott ended up carrying Elizabeth. Then we took a train ride on the Pineapple Express, which is a narrated tour taking visitors on a two-mile journey through a working pineapple plantation. It was very interesting to find out that pineapples grow low to the ground on plants. We also learned how to pick a pineapple at the grocery store, so if you ever need tips on how to decide if a pineapple is good -- you know who to ask! :) Abbie and Elizabeth especially liked eating pineapple ice cream.

Polynesian Cultural Center, Oahu

On November 5th, we drove to the North Shore of Oahu and went to the Polynesian Cultural Center. There was a canoe pageant and then the center was divided into seven different native villages of Hawaiian and other South Pacific cultures -- Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, and Marquesas. At each village they did a cultural presentation, which were not to be missed! We actually went back to the center a second day in order to see and do everything that we missed the first day! They also taught games and did crafts at each village. In the evening we attended the Alii Luau and Horizon night show at the center. The Polynesian Cultural Center was definitely a highlight of our trip!

Waikiki Beach -- Oahu, Hawaii

Waikiki Beach is beautiful. Abbie and Elizabeth really enjoyed playing in the water and building in the sand. Scott took surfing lessons! We all enjoyed the time in the sun on this beautiful beach!

Honolulu Zoo

We went to the Honolulu Zoo on November 1, 2007. The girls loved it. They had a nice playground and a petting zoo that the girls really liked.

Hilton Hawaiian Village

We loved staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu. We stayed in the Tapa tower and had an ocean view room. They offered hula lessons, lei-making lessons, had a pond for penguins and turtles, all kinds of birds, a keiki (children's) pool right next to the Super Pool, and you could walk right onto Waikiki beach! Here are some pictures taken at the village.

Children's Discovery Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii

We were actually in Hawaii for Halloween Day. I took the girls to the Children's Discovery Museum in Honolulu since they were handing out special treat bags to anyone that came in costume. Then Scott and I took them Trick or Treating at a local mall that night. They both wanted to dress up as a genie/harem princess/Jasmine from Aladdin. Here are some pictures of them in their costumes at the Children's Discovery Museum. The girls had a great time at the museum. There was a mini grocery store, post office, police office, fire station, doctor's office, castle, etc. complete with dress up clothes and props for pretend play. They had three floors of things to do!

Halloween 2007

Abbie went to her first Halloween party and loved it. Here are a couple pictures from the party. It was held the weekend before Halloween.