Honolulu, Hawaii - Jan 24

Honolulu, Hawaii - Jan 24

We have visited here a few times and we have always rented a car and circled the island, taking in a different shrimp truck on the North Shore. 

Here is our first trip in 2004 https://photos.app.goo.gl/KnDpxkZjPu67mW9n7

2019 - https://photos.app.goo.gl/BCGSR5m27E9eavXX9

Dad and I went together in the 80’s on a land trip, but I can’t find the album to include the link.

This time we rented a car and drove to Aiea state park.

sail into Honolulu

We were 30 minutes late getting off the ship. There was a long line of us waiting to get off before the ship was cleared and the gangway set up. We grabbed a taxi to the airport and rented a car and were on the road.

Aiea Loop Trail runs along the ridge on the west side of Halawa Valley and offers views of the southern coastline of O‘ahu from Pearl Harbor and the Wai‘anae Range to Honolulu and Diamond Head. I however have renamed it “The 5-mile Death March”. (at least from my 70-year-old self with bad feet perspective) If it were at a birding pace and we were actually seeing birds it would have been pleasant enough. However, while we were hearing TONS of birds, the forest was so thick we didn’t see very many. Towards the end and in a few open spots we would see a few fly and then they’d disappear quickly into the dense trees.

The trail was filled with tree roots, but it was gentle inclines with only a few tough areas especially the steep switchbacks at the end. (yes, younger people were using it for an exercise trail) We started out going slowly trying to find the source of all of those bird sounds, but eventually realized we needed to turn around or pick up the pace. In hindsight, we should have turned around, but I wanted to continue as I thought we were at the half-way point. (we weren’t that far yet) I was ready to die for the last ¾ of the hike.

restrooms at the start of the trail

start of the trail

Japanese White-eye (now called the Warbling White-eye)

We stopped for a picnic lunch (from the ship) and enjoyed the lovely view.

this was on a hill next to the trail - said "do not remove"

Greg on the trail

Greg on the trail

tree fern frond opening

Pacific Golden Plover

Red-whiskered Bulbul

I did get a great look at a Japanese White Eye. Greg saw on our last visit to Hawaii, but I didn’t get to see it and he got a photo. This time he didn’t get a photo, but I got a great look at it before it flew off.

So, no new birds today. We saw plenty of Mynah birds, Red-whiskered Bulbuls, House finches and a White-rumped Shama. In the parking lot we saw a Pacific Golden-plover.

Finally, we made it to the end and our car was still 15 minutes away. My feet were numb, and I don’t think I could have made it, so Greg got the car and met me at the lower parking lot.

We headed off to find dinner and we knew there wasn't time left to drive to the North Shore for a shrimp truck, so we headed back towards the city and found a spot on the South Shore for tacos Hawaiian style.

South Shore Grill

seating area, but mostly a take-out place

sauteed Cajun shrimp tacos

Kal-bi steak tacos

We got back in time to catch most of the evening show which was a Folkloric show – Halau Lilia Makanoe. It’s always fun to watch the locals come aboard the ship and perform. This lady has a hula school, so it was mostly young girls with a few ladies performing between her story telling. Nice way to cap off our long day here.

For larger photos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/um79dTAHUA7CraqD9

Tomorrow, we visit Kauai.