Aloha! A Quick Jaunt Through 5 O Land in 5 days

[therock]

Aloha!

When you think of some words, there is no doubt as to the what the word is associated with. And “Aloha” conjures up beaches, surf and of course, Hawaii Five O…

Hawaii is a tourist destination that sits between mainland USA, and Japan as well as the rest of Asia, with a population that is as varied as it is in Asia, and a significant Japanese population of almost 30%. You will find fifth generation Japs who no longer speak Japanese and plenty of restaurants, signboards in Japanese and there is certainly a vibe that feels Asian, and yet distinct. It is blended from Asian influx, with Pilipino, Korean and of course Japanese influence as well as the Polynesian background and of course American immersion. Let’s not forget the British aspect too, in fact the flag of Hawaii features the Union Jack in the canton (upper left corner) due to historical ties between the Hawaiian Kingdom and Great Britain. King Kamehameha I, who unified the Hawaiian Islands, received a British flag from Captain George Vancouver in 1793 and initially adopted it. The eight horizontal stripes on the flag represent the eight major Hawaiian Islands.

 

 

So last year, I realised that there was a conference in Hawaii, and if I booked my flights early, I could scrounge together enough money to go, and bring some of my students along too, so I got my hotel and flights sorted out last year, and got a decent price. I couldn’t get SQ, because it was twice the price of ANA and I had to take two red eye flights, but because I had done my maths, I could get lie flat seats. The other option was Zip Air but the incremental cost to ANA was not that much so I took the leap. I had heard good things about their service and good food, so I was keen to give it a shot.

 

Now I enjoy the colours at dawn and dusk and this trip, I got to experience some of the best views in all my years of flying..

 

Now there are no direct flights to Hawaii, you can go via Japan, which is the most popular, or even Taiwan and Philippines. ANA offers route via Haneda and Narita, so take note of the layover timing, and whether you will want to plan a stopover in Japan, but you’ll need to get your bags if you get out for longer than a stopover. At the time of my trip, there were demos for transit passengers, eg on the way there, you can see a demo of wooden block painting, and you can try on a samurai suit on the way back.

 

Also, the pharmacies in the Narita Airport sell a lot of stuff, and good meds for kids too

 

 

Narita is a wonderful place to stopover with nice showers and made to order ramen / udon. You can customise by asking them to add more ingredients. Friendly efficient service. 

 

 

I booked Wyndham by Ramada, a tourist class hotel, centrally located in Waikiki and walking distance to the convention. Bear in mind, everything is in miles, but it was ok, about 10 minutes walk away. The weather is pretty much sunny all the time with sporadic showers. No one stops what they are doing because of these small rains, and they end as soon as they begin, but make the heat more bearable. In fact the weather is a lot like ours, so put away your coats and jeans, tees, Hawaiian shirts as well as bermudas are standard here, unless you’re here on business. 

 

Essentials for Hawaii include hats, sunblock and plenty of water. It’s the equator, so like us, their days get bright early but around 7 plus, it also gets dark. In between the heat is on, and it is usually blazing hot. The walk from the hotel to the convention is not too far but the heat is a killer. However the views are nice though, with a little vignette of Waikiki, the Hawaiian tourist town. 

 

 

The cost of living and holidays in Hawaii has gone up significantly over the years and that has pushed away some travellers, but it is still pretty crowded.

You will need to budget USD 20 per meal unless you cook, eat sandwiches and Macs throughout. 

I went to this posh steak place called Prime Signature Steakhouse, twice actually because there were two different groups and they all used this place.

It’s the go to place for nice meals with a view.

 

 

Food is $$ in this restaurant, but very nice. as you expect from the name the steaks / beef is the thing, but seafood is awesome.

 

 

Edited July 1 by therock

[therock]

This Ramada isn't posh, but it's centrally located in the Waikiki area with plenty of food and even small convenience stores around it.

The rooms are a bit dated but very clean and wifi is good (no password though)

I got a whole bunch of stuff shipped to the room from Amazon, to avoid charges, ship them to arrive during your stay..

 

Gonna crash now... 

Edited July 1 by therock

[therock]

Jet lagged..

BTW the Waikele Outlet Mall isn't much to shout about..

Luggage like Samsonite and Tumi are cheaper, some other brands are ok, but not super cheap, and the selection is not as wide as the bigger ones in California..

By Uber it's 23 USD one way or two way for the shuttle.. 

[therock]

Early morning wake up call...

Just before going to the meeting, my juniors organised an Uber (no Grab here) to the Koko crater...

Most people take 30-45min, the record is 9min haha

 

 

Something on the Koko crater:
https://kokocratertrail.com/

 

This is a good substitute for a treadmill... if you can complete it, you'll be pretty sure your heart is working well!

It's more than a thousand steps up a step railway sleep track and a beautiful view to reward your sore body..

 

 

Edited July 1 by therock

[Datsun366]

Fantastic.

You surfing?

mountains are ok but that teal water…yumseng. 😁

[Volvobrick]

On 7/1/2025 at 4:20 PM, therock said:

Early morning wake up call...

Just before going to the meeting, my juniors organised an Uber (no Grab here) to the Koko crater...

Most people take 30-45min, the record is 9min haha

 

 

Something on the Koko crater:
https://kokocratertrail.com/

 

This is a good substitute for a treadmill... if you can complete it, you'll be pretty sure your heart is working well!

It's more than a thousand steps up a step railway sleep track and a beautiful view to reward your sore body..

 

 

Was there more than 10 years ago.... Seems like not much development in Hawaii, buildings are like frozen in time from the 70's or 80's. 

The Jipun food there still good?

G

Going to the Arizona Memorial/Pearl Harbour? 

If can wake up early Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout is very scenic during sunrise. Probably the best accessible view in Oahu.

Edited July 1 by Volvobrick

[therock]

Tomorrow work la 😂 

presentation to pay electricity la

but Friday students are trying to do a round island tour, but I don’t think it covers USS Arizona 

they are not too keen on history- some Siam to snorkel already haha - I close one eye 

[therock]

By the way the diamond head monument is open again … last week it was closed for renovation 

[Datsun366]

On 7/1/2025 at 5:30 PM, therock said:

Tomorrow work la 😂 

presentation to pay electricity la

but Friday students are trying to do a round island tour, but I don’t think it covers USS Arizona 

they are not too keen on history- some Siam to snorkel already haha - I close one eye 

Go to a graveyard. Wa maila

House the property prices?

Sporting the shorts at the magnum PI house?🤣

 

[therock]

Many ABC stores which sell food, sundries and even souvenirs 

got my Hawaiian shirt 👌 

will wear tomorrow after work for the dinner function 

[Tohto]

For me unless on business trip, I will never travel such a long flight to a place as hot or more hot than here.

[Lala81]

On 7/1/2025 at 7:06 PM, Tohto said:

For me unless on business trip, I will never travel such a long flight to a place as hot or more hot than here.

yup agreed.

 

[therock]

Round island jaunt with the students soon 

 

but saw a little SAR along the way 

 

[therock]

Ok some food to avoid

when you take a tour they will bring you to places with food that’s very salty or sweet which is their style and expensive so pack a sandwich or a Coke even 

[Volvobrick]

On 7/2/2025 at 8:07 AM, therock said:

Ok some food to avoid

when you take a tour they will bring you to places with food that’s very salty or sweet which is their style and expensive so pack a sandwich or a Coke even 

Why look like cai png but only 1 dish per plate? No wonder too salty/sweet. 😅

[therock]

On 7/2/2025 at 8:12 AM, Volvobrick said:

Why look like cai png but only 1 dish per plate? No wonder too salty/sweet. 😅

Individual meals la

i ordered the ramen 🍜 very salty 

they had shrimps for $18 US

i bought coke from the supermarket and kept it in my thermal flask 

their coke was $4

[mersaylee]

On 7/1/2025 at 7:06 PM, Tohto said:

For me unless on business trip, I will never travel such a long flight to a place as hot or more hot than here.

Not hot in December but can have a bit more rain that may ruin some outdoor activities...can enjoy the sibeh shiok breeze while riding the moped along the coastal line...

 

[Tohto]

On 7/2/2025 at 8:40 AM, mersaylee said:

Not hot in December but can have a bit more rain that may ruin some outdoor activities...can enjoy the sibeh shiok breeze while riding the moped along the coastal line...

 

Still not ba beach person.