Aloha from Waikiki! K got up super early (like 5:30am) and ended up hiking Diamond Head with his good friend Vien. This meant that the ladies could spend the morning together on our own adventure! After sending K off and giving Vien some Baked by Melissa cupcakes from NYC, I took a walk around our neighborhood until T woke up to meet me at like 7am. M was up early, too, but was stuck working. T and I took in the sights.
We were kind of intrigued by all the homeless people in Waikiki. We heard from multiple sources a theory that other states give their homeless a one-way ticket to Hawaii. I guess if you're homeless in America, there's no better place to be? In perfect weather, who needs a home? Yikes. Kind of gave us an Athens vibe but still felt pretty safe.
When M was done with her work, we had a quick breakfast at Tucker and Bevvy. We looked at a place called Eggs n Things but the line was crazy. We each had a smoothie or juice and I ordered a smoked salmon panini for sharing with T, while M had a BLT and shared some Maui onion chips. Yum! After breakfast we went to Pali Lookout for the amazing, lush, green view and put ourselves in the mindset of Hawaiiam warriors and Kamehameha! After that, we headed to the amazing gem that is the Kualoa Ranch. They grow macadamia nut trees and all sorts of other island crops. We entertained ourselves by cracking and snacking on nuts!!
We then got on board a bus for the Alii Tour. This was a hidden treasure at $20 a person! Our guide was so fun and took us through the "jungle" in a vehicle originally acquired for the crews during the filming of Jurassic Park. Basically every island-themed film or tv show had tapings here from Gilligan's Island and Fantasy Island to Jurassic Park and Lost. Our guide also showed us how to use every bit of a coconut and also how to start a fire. I was amused by the coconut shaving contraption he had because my grandma used one at home. The three of us were amused by this girl below (in pj shorts?) who was so eager to participate in drinking fresh coconut milk and eating shaved coconut; also that she was part of a Korean honeymoon tour group. There were about 10 couples going on their honeymoon together! The tour guide made sure he threw in a little Korean here and there which was awesome.
There was a little kid helping him with the set, and they made headbands out of coconut palms for the ladies! Flower to the left if you're taken, right if you're single! After the short show, we got back on the bus to head to the protected fish pond that keeps barracuda, jacks and milk fish (bangus!!) as well as a green crab native to Hawaii. Before the boat ride ended, we concluded that this must be the best value in all of Hawaii.
On the way back to Waikiki, we stopped by a park to view the "chinaman hat." Plenty of Hawaiian families were gathering for picnics. These picnics were no joke with tents and huge trays of food. There was a small beach for kids to play in.
We then picked up K for a late lunch. We had Mahi Mahi sandwiches from one of M's favorite places called Kua'āina Sandwich. We do not do quality fast casual fresh fish in the east coast! Business idea?! By the time we got back to the hotel, the NBA finals were in the 3rd quarter so we all went back to our rooms to watch the rest of the game. It was so strange watching it during the day! After it ended, K and I took a short walk and stumbled upon then pan-Asian festival parade. The best were the kids practicing judo on a float, boy vs. girl!
After the walk, we met up with the ladies to head to M's parents' house that her grandfather built! We saw a bunch of her aunts and uncles as well as her grandparents! It was so nice to have a family dinner especially on Father's Day. They were all so happy to see M!! We ate so much!! They had a never ending tray of hamachi and ahi tuna that was so delicious. I filled my plate with more fish, ribs, rice, salad and fried rice. I barely had room for dessert, which was fresh lychees and coconut pie. Oh, and her uncle kept filling our glasses with sake and handing out fresh beers! It was a wonder K did not fall asleep at the table. We were all waiting for it! Maui tomorrow!!!
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