Climbing Diamond Head

Yesterday was Sunday, things were slow and Diamond Head has been beckoning so I wandered around the Waikiki area for awhile then caught the number 2 city bus to Diamond Head. Rather, I should say I rode the bus to the Kapiolani Community College, the end of the line. From there I walked about a mile up the Diamond Head Park access road, through the tunnel and into the crater.

Most people drove or rode the trolley to the parking lot near the entrance to the park. I was one of the few who took the city bus and walked through this tunnel built in 1943 by the Army Corps of Engineers. The tunnel was wide enough for cars to go both ways at once but if a trolley came along oncoming traffic had to wait since the trolley drove through the middle of the tunnel. 

There is a small park near the entry booth but most people come here to climb to the top so they pay a five dollar fee to park and a dollar per person fee to access the climbing trail. 

The trail was built in 1908 by the Army Corps of Engineers and was used by pack mules and the soldiers who manned the guns and fire control center.

From this point it looks like a stroll in the park but the sidewalk soon ends and the old trail takes over. If you look between the tree branches at the top right center you can see the lookout at the top, elevation 761 feet above sea level.

The trail winds back and forth up the inside of the crater wall. The corners are wide, I suppose so the mules could navigate the trail back in the day. Here you can see the trail including the empty part that leads to the lower left in the photo.

This tunnel is barely wide enough for two people to pass.

There are several sets of stairs. This is one of the longest.

It was windy on top.

Inside one of the old firing centers.

There are plenty of view points at the top but there are the idiots who ignore the signs, climb over a six-foot cyclone fence and walk the ridge out to another old fortification. I wouldn't mind if they fell off, that would be natural selection at its best. I do mind that they wear down the fragile ridge so future generations won't be able to enjoy the place like we do.

Back down at the bottom of the trail I was headed out the access road when I noticed these cats in a field alongside the roadway. Someone had given them pieces of mackerel and filled the water dish.It's hard to see them but there were several cats along the grass and woods near the top of the photo. I guess they make their home in the woods. 

I've been reading about the conflict between the feral cat lovers and the defenders of the native Hawaiian Monk Seals. Apparently the cats shed eggs of a parasite that kills the seals. There have been attempts to control the cat population but so far no solution has been found. If you're interested you can read more here:  http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/hawaiian-monk-seal-deaths-blamed-on-stray-cats-1.12464034

Leaving the feral cats and the Diamond Head park I made my way back down the access road to the bus stop and then back to our condo.

It was an enjoyable hike up Diamond Head. I was tired and ready for a nap when I got back but I recommend the trip. The view is worth the expenditure of energy to get there.

Food Fo Fill Dah Belly in Honolulu

Foods from many countries can be found in Seattle and other cities around the world but here in Hawaii ethnic foods from other cultures are adopted and often adapted to fit the tastes of the locals as well as the original importers. Some dishes have become staples and "fill dah belly" any time any place.

The Hawaiian musubi is a takeoff on the Japanese omusubi or onigiri and is a very popular snack throughout the islands.

There are lots of Japanese tourists so many stores, especially in Waikiki and the big malls have signs in both English and Japanese.

The musubi below are typical. A block of rice topped with fried spam, avocado, sweet scrambled egg, or other protein and wrapped with dried nori (seaweed).

Samples of musubi (left), onigiri (center) and bento (left)

In this store they also had typical Japanese onigiri, rice balls filled with chopped pickle, umeboshi (pickled plum) or shredded salted salmon and wrapped with nori. To the left are bento boxes with a simple box lunch of rice, protein and pickle.

Poke is an old Hawaiian preparation of dried salted fish that could be carried on ocean journeys. In the old days it was often made of the scraps cut from fish when preparing the steaks or fillets. In the 1970's the concept began to spread and soon became popular as an appetizer or entree using Ahi (yellowfin tuna) and other fish and shellfish. Now it is made from many kinds of fish, shellfish, octopus, squid and even vegetables and tofu. There are a variety of sauces so the choices are many.

Poke counter at Don Quijote supermarket wihere I counted 28 kinds of poke.

Across the street from our condo is a local pass through window of a famous poke restaurant in Chinatown. We got some poke bowls to eat in our condo.

The Maguro Brothers take out window across the street.

Ramen is another common food in Hawaii. When walking to the beach this ramen place, Nakamura Ramen, caught my eye. They serve ramen with several kinds of sauces, with or without a soft boiled egg and with various kinds of protein.

The sign on the window says "Oxtail ramen."

I wanted to try their oxtail ramen so ordered the oxtail ramen set which included the ramen, some fried pot stickers (gyoza), a dish of fried rice and a bowl with ground ginger and soy sauce to be added as desired for extra flavor. I ordered the small plate of kimchee on the side.

The oxtail ramen set was well worth the price.

The ramen was very good although the price was a little high at $23.50, but that included the other parts of the set so altogether not so bad.

Testimonials from famous visitors from Japan.

There is a Japanese food court in the Ala Moana Mall. When we visited there I ordered a special ramen with soft egg and pork belly. It was delicious even though the sauce was quite rich.

Ramen at the Shirokiya Food Court had pork belly, soft boiled egg, chopped seaweed and green onions. Delicious.

Udon is another noodle dish found in Honolulu. There is a popular udon place about two blocks from our condo so I found myself having breakfast there the other day.

Plastic display dishes out front.

My udon with soft boiled egg and tempura fried Hawaiian sausage and mushrooms. It made a fine breakfast.

Cafeteria style udon restaurant with various kinds of soup and extras.

When you've had enough food it's time for shave ice. Shave ice is a completely different dish from what we on the "Mainland" know as a snow cone. 

Here in Hawaii the block of ice is put into a machine with a razor sharp knife on the bottom. The block of ice is locked in place then rotates while a very thin shaving of ice falls from the bottom. Many newer shave ice places have a machine that puts out an ultra thin layer of ice, almost like snow. It's every bit as smooth as the best of the rotating machines but not as authentic. 

The ice is packed gently into a dish, some places put a layer of ice cream on at this point, while some places add a flavored syrup here. More ice is packed on top then the people get creative with different kinds of syrups, fruit or other toppings and then sweetened condensed milk is often drizzled over the whole thing.
  

Blueberries, strawberries and small pieces of mochi at highly rated Island Vintage Shave Ice.

Matcha, sweet red beans, and strawberries with mochi.

Strawberry mango with mango poppers and mochi.

Royal Aloha Waikiki

Dancing girls at the Kona Airport on the way from the Big Island.

Well, it's been a slow week in the new condo in Honolulu. We've done a little sightseeing, ate some (a lot of) local food and just relaxed. Of course, I guess that's what vacations are all about.

View of the gardens from our Hale Koa room where we spent one
night waiting for our Monday check in at the new condo.

Seaward side of the Army Museum at Ft DeRussy next door to the Hale Koa Hotel.

The Royal Aloha Vacation Club has units in three buildings here in the Waikiki area. We are in the Royal Aloha Towers about a block south of Ala Wai Channel, about four blocks north of the beach and about two miles from Diamond Head. In addition to the condos here in Honolulu Royal Aloha has units in Maui and Kona, Hawaii; Lake Tahoe; Branson; Acapulco; Chandler, Arizona; Otter Rock, OR, and Marbella, Spain.

Diamond Head from the beach in front of the Hale Koa Hotel.

This condo is a two bedroom, two bath with the usual amenities. Nothing fancy but a good location and a clean place to call home temporarily. We haven't stayed at any of their other units but based on this unit we would be willing to give them a try.

A little red head under the tropical trees.

From our home base it's an easy walk to the big public Waikiki beach, ten minutes to the Army Museum at Ft DeRussy, twenty minutes to Ala Moana mall (the biggest mall in Hawaii) and restaurants too numerous to count. In addition there are buses that go everywhere.

Not far from our building we found the Trump Hotel.

Colorful flowers abound here in Honolulu also.

The public is guaranteed access to all beaches in Hawaii but there are some that are dedicated to public use. The large public beach at Waikiki is an example of such a beach.

The big public beach at Waikiki with many concessions and amenities.

I admire the shape of the tropical trees. There are the lanky palm trees and the busy mimosas. Then there are the stereotypical shape of the "umbrella" trees.

Tropical Flowers to Cheer Your Day

Here in Hawaii the flowers bloom year round.

It's always a pleasure to visit the tropics this time of year when it's cold and dreary at home so I thought I would post some photos of the flowers around our condo to bring a little warmth into the hearts of you who are living north of the flower zone.

Plumeria have nice flowers and leaves

I haven't seen any of the other colors of Plumeria in this area. Maybe these white-yellow flowers are acclimatized to this area where it is particularly dry.

Hibiscus of many colors grow in the area. Many are hybrids.

Flowering trees are everywhere.

Bougainvillea of many colors are formed into hedges. Some are allowed to climb naturally.

 Ground cover with flowers.

More ground cover in bloom.

Hope you enjoyed seeing the bright flowers of the Big Island. Our week is drawing down and we head to Honolulu Sunday. I'll see what can be posted from there.