We love Hawaii!

By Jessica
I have always wanted to go to Hawaii. A dream come true for me. After many cold, grey, dreary Korean months, my toes were begging for the sand! This was the best family vacation we have ever taken. One of those vacations you wish would never end and you could go on laying on the beach every day for the rest of your life :) I am thinking the Air Force needs to station us in Hawaii. (Don't worry, Dad. They don't agree with me and it didn't come out on the list as an available position for Joel.)
We took about 2000 pictures. No, we aren't going to post every one, thankfully. But I couldn't resist adding a few more.
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December 7, 1941, the day that shall live in infamy. The day the United States officially entered World War 2. We all know the event prompting such a response by our government: the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The NPS's Pearl Harbor Visitor Center Complex sets near the site of the sunken Arizona. There are lots of monuments, displays and a few museums to browse while you wait for your turn to go out to the USS Arizona Memorial. The US Navy shuttles visitors out to the Memorial. The memorial is built over the sunken Arizona. (Google for some great aerial pictures.) The USS Arizona lays just below the surface of the waters. You can see the outline of the ship from overhead and pieces stick out of the water.



 

The USS Arizona Memorial. You can see a part of the ship there on the right of the memorial sticking out. Behind the memorial is the place where the Arizona was docked. 

My kiddos standing at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center Complex with the Memorial in the background. Battleship Row is directly behind them.

 1,102 sailors and Marines were entombed in the USS Arizona, which still lays just below the water. Oil still oozes out of the USS Arizona in several places.



 

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North Shore, Oahu

During the winter months, the waves on the North Shore of Oahu can reach up to 50 feet tall, making it the perfect place for surfers to congregate. Waimea, Halewia, Bonzai Pipeline are all beaches that attract the crazy and insane who try their hand at conquering those waves. Rather than attempt such silliness, we got lunch and sat on the sand to watch. We heard the surf was up and we headed to the Bonzai Pipeline. Apparently every one else on Oahu heard the waves were predicted to be massive that day as the traffic was nutty, but it was worth the drive.

 



 

 

 

I don't envy this guy's job. He patrolled around looking for swimmers, or perhaps those who weren't swimming. He jumped around on the waves and looked like he was having a great time. We heard the ambulance about 5 times that day, whisking away poor souls who didn't catch the wave.

These pictures just don't do the waves justice.

This little guy decided to get on the beach where it was a bit safer.

 

Me and my handsome husband, waiting to go to the Luau in Honolulu.

Kade really was having a good time, he just isn't always so happy to pose for a million pictures.

 

So love this guy who took me to Hawaii. Am I spoiled or what?

 

  

Pineapples growing at Dole Pinapple Plantation

Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

Hawaii is even gorgeous in the rain.

 

I had so much fun with these two. They are such a blast!

And all I can think of is: when can I go back?