We spent part of Sunday strolling along Kalakaua Avenue, the Rodeo Drive of the Pacific. The road is home to a handful of luxury stores and was named in honor of a king. I fell in love with a tropical foliage linen sundress at Tori Richard and was so eager to wear it out of the store that I asked the clerk to cut off the price tag and place my street clothes in the shopping bag. The company was started in the 1950s by a Chicago apparel manufacturer who retired to Hawaii but realized he still wanted to work.
The Moana Surfrider Resort and Spa is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It opened in 1901 and is known as the First Lady of Waikiki since it was the first hotel in Waikiki Beach. They serve afternoon tea on the veranda.
Next, we walked to Kuhio Beach and stopped at Duke Kahanamoku’s bronze statue, generously draped in leis. The Father of International Surfing was a six-time Olympic medalist, a movie actor and a sheriff. Using his surfboard, he once rescued eight people from a capsized boat.
We found Don Ho’s bronze statue at the Waikiki International Market Place.
He served as an Air Force pilot and left the military to manage and perform at his mother’s bar, Honey’s. He eventually took his act to Duke’s nightclub, where he performed at sold-out shows. He played organ and piano (with a glass of scotch on top) and sang and told jokes. He also acted on TV and landed a variety show. He and I share the same birthday, and we both spent time at Keesler Air Force Base, but I can’t carry a tune. He’s best known for “Tiny Bubbles”.
For dinner, we stopped at Junpuu, whose logo suspiciously resembles the Supreme clothing brand. People call the place a hidden gem, and I agree. I ordered the miso ramen, the only ramen dish I’ve ever had, except Nissin Cup Noodles, the college coed staple.
Monday lived up to its reputation. Tropical rains soaked the North Shore, and we lost power for 12 hours. Driving was dangerous with flooding every few miles. This morning, I opened my eyes to a rainbow outside the bedroom window.
I made a breakfast of yogurt, granola and coffee and headed out on a bicycle to the westernmost point of Oahu, Kaena Point, dodging dead frogs and muddy puddles along the way.
Here are some photos from the ride back home.
Beautiful pictures, love the dress!
You look great in that fabulous dress! The history and natural beauty of Hawaii must make it difficult to go anywhere without stopping to learn and/or take pictures :). Have you talked with any Hawaiin's to find out feel about the hotel?