She hadn’t been here since 1961 so I wanted to make sure she got a better than average experience. Mobility was a little bit of an issue and she gets worn out a little easier than in years past (don’t we all?) but overall – I think we showed her a pretty great time. There were a few things we just couldn’t do (water activities, helicopter rides) – none the less – she got the full Oahu experience.
In addition to the excellent luau food such as poi and kulua pig at the Mauka Warriors Luau, she got to try the pan-seared furikake ahi at Nico’s fish house, malasadas from Leonards, pineapple Dole whip, coco puffs from Liliha Bakery, poi donuts, and many other treats. She got to visit and enjoy the fruits of coffee and macadamia nut farms and to try apple bananas and fresh ice cold coconut water for the first time. In addition she ate plenty of other local treats like huli-huli chicken and North Shore shave ice but had to miss out on poke bowls and sushi since she won’t do raw fish.
She also visited the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, the North Shore, the Windward Side, Pali Lookout, and the Punchbowl Cemetery. We toured the Honolulu Historic District and Waikiki as well as much of the rest of Oahu. Mostly though it was just about showing her a good time and making sure she got a trip of a lifetime while she was here.
Since I’ll be heading to Japan in a month, there’s no telling when she might be able to visit next (at least with me here) so we definitely made the most of this rare family time on Oahu.
