North Shore of Oahu

On June 13th, Tues, we took a ride around the island. We rode up H2 (nothing too exciting except some real nice views of the Northwestern Oahu mountains). Then we hooked up on 99 and stopped at the Dole Plantation. Lots of tourists there. We didn't take a tour of the grounds, but walked around and took some pictures. There is supposed to be this giant maze, one of the largest in the world, comprised of over 11,000 Hawaiian plants. It just was too hot to take any tours especially with a somewhat restless one year old.

We continued up 99 and detoured to see the historic town of Waialua, but I ended up driving out to Kaena Point, the most western point on Oahu. This is where the mountains meet the ocean/beach. It's beautiful there. Some of the beaches are near-pristine white. One beach is a great place to watch the para-sailers.

We didn't see historic Waialua, but did see historic Haleiwa. This town has a lot of historic buildings, quaint shops and restaurants. It's also where the surfers hang out (there's even this Surfer museum for G-d's sake!). We ate at a Mexican restaurant, Cholos. The food was OK, but the best part of it was all of the wall hangings incl Mexican art, crosses, other paraphenalia.

After lunch, we took 83 along the northern coast. First, we stopped at Waimea Bay, but it was too crowded. Then we drove past Sunset Beach, stopped at some beach with a scenic coastal view. Drove by Turtle Bay, etc.

Some nice views of the Northern mountains from Kahuku. We briefly stopped to see the Mormon Temple in Laie, and then enjoyed the scenic views from Laie Beach. Stopped in a couple of quaint, small towns like Hauula and Punaluu. It's all very nice. But the most scenic and romantic point has to be Kahana Bay. We actually were able to stop there, and take some great photos and DVD footage. This green giant, jagged-edged mountain overlooks the bay. What a great place to be!

But no sooner than the blink of an eye, and yet another scenic view emerges in Kaaawa. The "triple a" town gives us a peek at yet another jagged-edged peak. Then onto Kualoa where one is greeted by the picturesque Chinaman's Hat! (in Kaneohe Bay).

But that's not all! Stopped in Kahaluu to view the rest of the majestic mountains of Oahu.

Drove back on H3, right through the thick of the northern mountains! What else is there to say.

When we returned to Honolulu, Diana wanted to see Temple Emanuel, the Jewish Reform temple. It's up on the Pali Highway (91). It was late at night, so we didn't get to go inside. But it's a very nice building in a scenic location.

Once we returned to the Outrigger Reef, we had dinner at the Ocean House restaurant. A fitting ending to our trip with a scrumptious meal overlooking the ocean waters, with a nice tropical breeze passing by.

Diana, Rachel, and myself, bid you Aloha from Hawaii. We had a very nice time together on our first family trip.