Oahu Photos Posted

32 photos for a 3.5-day trip is probably excessive, especially given how many of them are so badly lit. I swear, one day I’ll figure out where the sun is. (Click on the Photos link on the top of the page if you’re interested.)

bkd

Long Weekend on Oahu

Brief FAQ

Didn’t you just go to Hawaii? Yes, but a different island.

Isn’t that a long way to fly for just a three-day weekend? Meh.

Why did you decide to go? $284 round-trip over a holiday weekend — that seemed like a sign.

Day 1 (Friday)

 

Laie Point

Activities: Aiea Loop Trail, Lunch at Giovanni’s, North Shore

Highlight: Going to dinner with my niece between her shifts at work.

Day 2 (Saturday)

 

Concrete lookout station bunker also services as rain shelter.

Activities: Punchbowl Cemetery, Tantalus Drive, Makapuu (Lighthouse, Lookout Station), Hanapa Blowhole, Dinner at Rainbow Drive-In

Highlight: Hanging out in the lookout station bunkers.

Day 3 (Sunday)

Looking back at Yokohama Bay from Kaena Point.

Activities: Waikiki in Daylight, Drive to Yokohama Bay, Hike to Kaena Point, Tantalus Drive II

Highlight: Comparing the tent city outside of Waianae to Matanikau Village in the Solomons…

Things to Do Differently Next Time

• Stay in one of the nicer hotels (the free parking at this one was nice, but the kitchenette and over-sizedness didn’t have much utility).
• Plan activities around where the sun’s going to be so all your photography subjects aren’t getting blown out by back-lighting.
• Memorize every street name, corner, and visual cues in the city of Honolulu before arrival (since all street signs here are invisible).

Things to Do the Same Next Time

• Get a small car (I got an Impreza this time) — makes it possible to park.
• Get restaurant recommendations from Cliff — he was 3-for-3 this time out.
•  Enjoy the rainstorms.

Verdict

I think it’s reasonable to come here for a three-day weekend (I took Friday off — it was more of a four-day weekend with 3.5 days on the ground here). The good and bad of that is that by day three, I still haven’t relaxed at all. But I’ve walked around a lot, and there’s probably utility in that.

bkd