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September 13 - Today Rich and I took the
Tour #7 Circle Island Tour with Pearl Harbor from
Discover Hawaii
Tours and let me tell you there is no better way to
discover and see the wonderful island of Oahu then with this
company. If you ever get the chance book a tour with
them and ask for Hunna he is the most excellent guide.
His knowledge and experience on this island make his tour
worth every penny of this 12 hour tour. |
Hunna our Guide |
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When I found out I was going be lucky enough
to visit paradise and visit it with my company picking up
the tab I was overwhelmed. One thing I have always
wanted to do in my life was visit Pearl Harbor. This
tour gave me that chance and I jumped at that chance. |
The Arizona
memorial, the odd shape of the building has a meaning, if
you notice the ends of the building are higher and the
center is low, the low spot signifies the lowest point in
Naval History, the bombing of Pearl Harbor. |
Over 1,177 men
perished with this ship, as survivors are getting older and
pass away their last wish has been to be cremated and their
ashes returned to the Arizona so they can rejoin their crew,
the Navy has been granting this request to all men. |
This is 1 of
the 2 anchors actually recovered from the Arizona, the other
is in the state of Arizona the state the ship was named for. |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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The remains of gun turret
number 3 |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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Newman |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
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These pictures
are inside the memorial and the list off all men that went
down on the ship are engraved in the stone. I don't
care who you are this room will bring a tear to your eye. |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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In these two
pictures if you look close enough you can see the oil still
leaking to the surface, about 2 quarts per day come to the
surface.
The survivors of the attack have long said
these drops of oil are the "tears" of the lost sailors and
that the tears will not stop until the last remaining
survivors rejoin their crew.
Every day survivors of the
attack volunteer their time at the memorial and are there
for you to talk to and ask questions.
I got that
chance and was amazed at some of their stories. This
is something you can not visit Hawaii without visiting. |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
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The USS
Missouri is now part of Pearl Harbor, you may ask why
considering the ship was not even commissioned and built
until 1 year after Pearl Harbor. The official end to
the war where the Japanese government signed the peace
treaty took place on this ship. So the beginning and
end of the war are now in one place. |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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The Dole
Pineapple Pavilion or the Dole Plantation one of the only
still working pineapple plantation left on the islands. They
serve a non dairy pineapple ice cream here that is to die
for. Most companies have started growing pineapple outside
of the US due to labor costs. |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
Part of the
mountains outside of the dole Pineapple plantation. |
Ron as a
pineapple |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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The "Honu" or
green sea turtle now an endangered species can be found here
at Kaiaka Bay, we were lucky enough to see one today sunning
himself. |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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These are some
pictures along the way the scenery was just breath-taking
every step of the way. |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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La'ie Point & Kukuihoolua Islet |
Kukuihoolua Islet |
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Rich Newman |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
Kukuihoolua Islet. Strong waves constantly
undercut the edge cutting right through the limestone
creating a sea arch. |
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These pictures were taken around the only
working macadamia nut farm still on the island. It is
owned and operated by six brothers and sisters. |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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More pictures
of scenery while driving to the next location. |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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Mokolii Island (Chinaman's Hat) and Kaneohe Bay |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
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Luana Hills Country
Club
- Nestled between Mount Olomana and the towering Ko'olau
lies one of the most unique and breathtaking golf courses in
the world. Carved from tropical rainforest in the heart of
lush Maunawili Valley, Luana Hills brings together
unparalleled natural beauty with a world class golfing
experience. |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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The Nuuanu Pali
Lookout
("Cool Height Cliff")overlooking the 985 foot cliffs of the
Koolau Mountain Range, is one of the best views on O'ahu. It
was here in 1795 that King Kamehameha and his warriors
defeated the O'ahu armies by sending them over these steep,
forested cliffs and claiming his victory and uniting the
Hawaiian Islands. The breathtaking sight and the gruesome
history of the battle fought here is enough to cause a chill
to run up your spine. |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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Makapu'u Lookout
- With a
little exertion you have a commanding view from Rabbit
Island all the way to the Mokapu peninsula, including the
sharp peak of Mount Olomana and the sheer, emerald cliffs of
the Koolaus stretching to Kahaluu. |
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Rabbit Island |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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Halona Cove or
"From Here to Eternity Beach",
the place where waves broke over Burt Lancaster and Deborah
Kerr as they were locked in an embrace in the famous scene
from the movie From Here to Eternity. I imagine that several
thousand replays of the scene are made each year! Right next
door is the Halona blowhole, which spits out a fountain of
water when the surf is running high. |
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Hanauma Bay
is in danger of being loved to death because so many people
visit and damage the corals. In spite of signs telling
people not to stand on the reef, they continue to do so.
With around 3000 tourists coming here every day, limits have
been put on how many visitors are allowed in at any one time
so you better come early. They are closed on Tuesdays. |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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Diamond Head lookout point |
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Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
Photo by Rich
Newman |
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