Honolulu

 

Honolulu is located on the island of Oahu, the capital of Hawaii, and the home of Pearl Harbor. The USS Missouri is a museum ship there.

The Missouri participated in the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

The Empire of Japan surrendered on the deck of the USS Missouri.

The Missouri also participated in the Korean War, was mothballed for 30 years, then reactivated to patrol the Persian Gulf in the 80s.

The Missouri provided fire support during Operation Desert Storm, and was finally decommissioned in 1992.

Rounds en-route to the main gun

The USS Missouri watches over the USS Arizona, sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor. 

Bubbles and oil still leak from the ship.

1,177 seamen died aboard the Arizona. Survivors can have their ashes placed in the ship to be buried with their comrades.

Iolani Palace was the royal residence of the rulers of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

There are some pretty cool trees next to it.

The palace was built in 1879.

The building was used as the capital of Hawaii from the overthrow of the monarch in 1893 until 1969.

The bathroom was very nice for the time.

Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown to secure the economic interests of US immigrants to Hawaii, especially sugar plantations. She was held captive at the palace for a time after her deposition.

A nice pipe!

Santa enjoying the weather on Hawaii

The Bishop Museum houses the world's largest collection of Polynesian artifacts.

The museum was founded by Charles Reed Bishop, husband of the last legal heir of the Kamehameha Dynasty, Princess Bernice Pahuahi Bishop, in 1889.

The cloak and helmet Hawaiian Chief Kalaniopu presented to Captain Cook. It was sent back to Britain, then was moved to New Zealand, then finally made its way back to Hawaii.

The Chief Mourner's costume from 1800s Tahiti

Palaoas are a symbol of high Hawaiian rank made of human hair and whale teeth.

What a difference 40 years makes.

A very unpleasant weapon called the leiomano

Hawaii is full of free-roam chickens.

They're even in the trees!

There are many different types of birds you commonly see around Oahu. How many can you see?

Even the intersections on Oahu are beautiful.

We went on a hike on the west side of the island up Pu'u Ma'eli'eli.

The area used to be part of a military base with concrete bunkers.

The trail is a little treacherous.

And there are plants with weird bumpy leaves.

But the view is worth it.

The peninsula on the left is the most beautiful marine airfield in the world.

Madea was here.

The Byodo-In Temple is near the trail in a cemetery.

It is a replica of an ancient Japanese temple in a cemetery for Japanese immigrants to Hawaii.

Most importantly it has a giant koi pond.

Honolulu has many amazing restaurants and bars.

Some common Hawaiian food you can find in restaurants and supermarkets. We ate this at Young's Fish Market.

The king of snow cones.

Taro donuts near North Shore

Mai Tais!

Skull & Crown Trading Co. in Chinatown is a vey cool tiki bar.

Waikiki Beach is always crowded.

But it's a great place to watch fireworks.

Happy New Year!