Back in Oahu

Yesterday wasn't too eventful for us. We were up early to drop off our rental car, hop on the plane, and make our way back to Oahu. We were on the island and in our new rental (Mike was able to get a charger this time) before 10am. Obviously too early to check in to the Hale Koa so we decided to take a ride around the island. Great Decision. Honolulu looks much like any other city (locals call it the Japanese LA) but the rest of the island is beautiful. Unfortunately we did most of the drive without a camera because we didnt know what we were going to see. The island is made of jagged, lush mountains and cliffs that jut out right to the ocean. The east and north shores have beautiful beaches that have clear blue shallow water for as far as one can see.

After the drive, we went back to the Hale Koa to check in. We spent the afternoon in the hotel room, Mike had to finish some homework and I spent my time researching what we could do today.

Last night, we went to the Hale Koa Luau. This was a lot of fun. Once inside, the dancers are out on the lawn showing attendees how to make leis, fold palms, swing the pois (this technique was used in the traditional dancing of New Zealand), and climb the coconut trees. Dinner was a Hawaiian feast! We had fish, chicken, pork, beef, rice, fried banana, and a starch that tasted similar to sweet potato. Everything was delicious.

The luau was really interesting and a lot of fun. There were five male dancers and five female dancers that presented the traditional dances and garments of all the pacific people that settled in Hawaii and contributed to its Polynesian culture. At the end, two young boys that were world champions in fire dancing, came out and performed their fire dances.  The picture on the left is of the Samoan boy performing his 2 fire knife routine.

Today we are planing on going to the aquarium and Diamond head. Aloha!