Friday Fun

Our Friday adventures took us up and down the windward (East) coast of O'ahu. Our goal was a morning snorkel trip to Hanuama Bay. We had heard that snorkeling in that bay was very cool. However, when we arrived, the parking lot was full and the Park Rangers weren't allowing anyone else in. [Grumble]

Instead, we headed up the coast. We stopped at a few viewing points. One which we climbed some rocks above the ocean waves, and another in which we viewed the Halona blowhole. After stopped for lunch for the kids a Subway, the adults ate garlic shrimp from a roadside lunch truck. Alison was hesitant, but I was insistent that at least I was going to try it out. She acquiesced, and we both enjoyed it quite a bit.

We returned to Haluama Bay to find the lot open. The beach is considered a nature preserve, and consequently, we were required to view an 8-minute movie about the preserve and its Do and Don'ts. The Bay is located below the looming cliffs, and is full of coral and sea creatures. We each rented snorkeling equipment and set out to explore the coral only a few feet below the water's surface. There is plenty of fish, and an occassional sea turtle. In fact, Emily and I saw a sea turtle swim right past us.

The kids (and Alison) found snorkeling hard, so we didn't spend a ton of time doing it. But it was very interesting. We forgot to get shots of us snorkeling, but the video below is of Haluama Bay. The dark spots in the water are the coral



The final adventure was a hike up the Maluapu'u Lookout. The paved 1 1/4 mile hike takes you well above the ocean below. The view of the Southern coast back towards Waikiki is terrific. The area is also well known for its whale viewing. We saw a number of whales swimming in the near shore, and Alison and Emily even saw a whale breach the surface.

Katie and I made the whole hike to the top. After her complaining earlier about making such a trek, I was proud she made the effort to reach the summit. From the top we got a great view of the Eastern Coast, and there is a nice view of the Maluapu'u lighthouse which sits on the side of a cliff, high above the ocean below.

We finished the day with dinner in Waikiki, and two exhausted girls.