makai1

Friday, April 2

Some bad weather had blown in during the night and my sinuses let me know #-o as I woke up, again to the birds singing and chirping. I especially enjoy the orange beaked finches that back home I only see in the pet stores.

The surf is still huge and the realization hit me that I wouldn't get in the water at Sharks Cove this trip ... I should've jumped in during our few days on the ns while the water was calm. The tidepools at the cove were a popular swimming spot... but I was hoping for more than that... gives me a reason to get back here sooner than later.

This AM DH spotted a very large whale close to shore ~ this was as close as we'd seen them up here. We never tire of watching these awesome creatures... they are mezmerizing!

Had a relaxing morning and then we all decided that we needed shave ice one last time... A'oki's has now become our fav... it was excellent once again.
Actually, TS is contemplating starting a shave ice business in our area back home... (I)) we're in a recreational spot where hoards from the city (Chicago) head on the weekends for boating, fishing, etc. He's thinking of a summer gig w/ the machine that makes these cold wonders... snow cones just won't cut it anymore [-(... we'll see.

We walked around Haleiwa for awhile... I enjoyed eyeballing ideas for making jewelry w/ all my new sea treasures. I still can't get over the value of these sunrise shells.

We drove off toward Kaena Point and were stopped by a road block at Dillingham Air Field, the local air strip where they take the gliders out.
Anyway, the road block appeared to be set up because of debris all over... when we passed through we saw that it was wreckage of an aircraft... a pretty big jet... seats all over. WOW! My skipped a beat and we drove away in silence. I couldn't believe it... I hadn't heard anything about this.

The drive out to Kaena Point is really breathtaking... the Waianae Mountains are literally rising up next to the road... the crashing surf on the rocks on the other. Aaaahhhhhh.

Mr. Makai took us past the "wimpy car" parking lot and kicked it into 4-wheel. We trecked pretty far out and then it was time for "driving lessons". Each of the boys had a time behind the wheel... we made some fun video and just enjoyed playing around.

On the way back past the wreckage they stopped us again right next to the fuselodge -sp?- we asked the flagman what had happened. IT WAS A MOVIE SET! OOhhhhhhhhhh relief! A TV movie, "LOST" coming out in the fall on ABC... We felt much better knowing that.

It was a fun afternoon. On the way back we decided to drive up Pupukea Rd., behind the Foodland, to look at the homes that sit above the coast on the ridge. I always enjoy driving through the coastal neighborhoods... I admired the tropic landscaping w/ the lovely birds of paradise, torch ginger and just the GREEN of it all. We turned down Alapio Rd. and saw a really cute little house for sale...
Hhhhhmmmmmmm... :-? Nice views...

Mr. Makai and I went to Haleiwa Joes for dinner... the boys wanted to chill in front of the TV. Fine by me. We enjoyed a seared ahi appetizer... DH had the hot & spicy shrimp, and I decided on the mahi mahi... the food was excellent. The table wait time was about 45 minutes, so we had grabbed our table in the bar w/in minutes and enjoyed our food there... lively local crowd on a Friday night. >-

Slept like a baby.

makai1

Saturday, April 3

Woke to stormy heavy rain... surf is still CRAZY... it was time to pack up... my least fav part of any trip... #39;(

All packed, I meandered to the beach for one last "sunrise" search. I had about 2 hours to shell, but since I was all packed up, I wasn't picking much up. Rain or shine, this is one of my all time fav beaches. ><

There was another man, about 60 yrs old, also shelling. He asked if I had found any sunrises... not today. We started talking story... about O'ahu, the other islands, Chicago, shelling... I learned his name was Herman. Then he hands me his 20 oz. Mt. Dew bottle filled to the top w/ pukas, green turbins, just a slew of shells... his treasure from the sea, and said, "I really want you to take this home w/ you today. I just collect them to give them away to people."

This was such a generous thing for him to do. He must have been out here since dawn looking at the amount of shells he just gave me. Later it dawned on me that the kindness of the many people we met here was one of the greatest blessings of this trip. The love of these people really touched my .

Of course the visual beauty... the landscape of the island... the sea life... rainbows... flora & fauna all combine to make this place a feast for the senses.

Sharing w/ those you love, though, THAT is the icing on the cake! We all enjoyed each other and our time together here in paradise.

As we checked out we purchased a Bill Braden print from Greg @ KE Iki... the original had been hanging in our bungalow. It was a painting that Braden did of Ke Iki Beach years ago as part of a series, "The Best Beaches of Hawaii". It'll be a sweet reminder of our time here.

Greg needed to make a supply run to the city and offered to drive along to the airport and help us w/ our bags... how generous... it gave us more room for the 45 min ride to HNL. We had a beautiful send off as we left for the airport.

So sad to go... this is always the hardest part. We headed into the as we drove south.

After unloading and thanking Greg, we checked in and then went for some hot wings and a . Once we made it to our gate the boys set up their fav airport "time passing toy", the remote control fart machine, and made some new friends, a couple of teenage girls from Buffalo Grove, IL, as theyjoked unsuspecting passers by... they all had a lot of laughs.

I scooted off during their fun to pick up a new slack key CD and a "Contemporary Quilts" calendar for next year.

It was a long ride home... but great fun to arrive home to a backyard filled w/ about 25 stuffed animals ((&)) attached to stakes all over the yard and a big sign that said, "Koo Koo Katchoo, Welcome Home Robinsons!".

... we have great friends too.

islandmom

Those Sunrise shells can be worth thousands of dollars. Homeless people live off of them. Did you have anyone look at yours?

makai1

Aloha Islandmom,

I gathered that this was the case when I would see the same local people scouring the beach daily... oftentimes before the sun came up using flashlights.

DH and I meant to take the shells to Jubran, the shell man in Haleiwa, but just kept forgetting to grab them before heading into town.

I'll have to research them a little more...

Do you have any clue about the whale behavior that we saw... I'm still curious.

Mahalo.

ggrtist

makai1...After reading all this, I'm drooling at the thought of my trip next month! I'm also wondering if our lil 2 day stay on North Shore will be enough?! Oh well. We will be staying at Turtle Bay resort and haven't heard the greatest things about their restaurants prices. Where would you suggest for a good, tasty, yet budget priced dinner on the North Shore? Couldn't find coupons in entertainment book. Do you think the swells will still be too high for snorkeling at Sharks cove during end of May? Thanks!

islandmom

What is "Tail Slapping"
"This is when a whale will hit the surface of the water with its tail in a slapping motion. It is not quite known why they do this. Researchers have speculated that it is used by the males to either attract females or it is an aggressive posture to ward off other males."


Cholos is a good spot to eat.

makai1

aloha ggrtist,

Sorry so long to reply... Shark's Cove should be great in May barring any crazy weather. Like I reported, take it when you can get it... surf changes constantly... it's right across from the Foodland, so it's easy to check as you're passing by.

As for restaurants, we didn't eat dinner out much... I've heard great things about the Cantina, we enjoyed Haleiwa Joes, and for lunch, don't miss a mahi sandwich or cheeseburger at Kua 'Aina... my mouth is watering... the best sandwich shop on the no shore.

Have a great time!

Islandmom: Mahalo for the whale info... it was most amazing to watch.

ggrtist

Thanks Islandmom and makai1 for the info, sounds like good eat choices our lil northshore stay. Since we're on that part of the island only 2 days, hopefully we'll get lucky with the snorkeling conditions. BTW, is sharks cove safe snorkeling for all ages...I know there are *no sharks*, but my daughter (age 11) has never been snorkeling. We're going to start with Hanauma Bay while staying in Waikiki, than hoping for couple days while at turtle bay resort.

makai1

aloha again gg,

I don't think I'd take an inexperienced 11 year old in @ Shks Cove w/ the weather as ify as it's been... and also just the lack of ease in and out w/ wave sets... although maybe some more experienced would have more knowledge and other advise...

I pulled out my copy of "O'ahu Snorkelers and Shore Divers Guide (by Francisco B. de Carvalho) and this is what he says,

"The best time to dive or snorkel Shark's Cove is fr May through Sept. Avoid diving or snorkeling when surf is greater than 2 feet. Because water channels into the cove, waves rise fast and break hard. Entering and exiting may be difficult even w/ small wave sets."

If you have a chance to grab a copy of this book prior to your trip, it contains wonderful info re snorkeling sites that I've never heard of... many spots we never got to... ooohhhh there's always next time!

ggrtist

aloha makai1..I'll definitely take that into consideration, will probably wait to see how she does at Hanauma. I'm fairly new to snorkeling but loved it and she's pretty athletic. Supposedly there is plenty of snorkeling spots near the resort...will do a lil research b4 we go. I did get the Driving and Discovering Oahu book and I think they mention places in there too.

crazy4Hawaii

topping for mlarson

Texas04

Thanks so much for the detailed trip report. It is this type of vacation I am looking forward to. Plan to enjoy Waikiki and the North Shore. Did you go to the West side of the Island at all? I'm sorry if any of the places you mention are West--you can tell I lose track of what is where. It's just that I read in another post not to go to the West side because the locals did not like tourist at all? I also read a post from someone that apparently lived in Kauai not to come to the North Shore there, because they didn't like tourist. But who knows, that could just be the opinion of a few. Have read much more about the "aloha spirit" of the Hawaiian people. Thanks for all your information. I plan to get the book you mentioned, and check out the alternative web site!

makai1

Aloha Texas,

We have not enjoyed the west coast, known as the leeward shore, not for any reason other than running out of time. It has not been high on our "must do" list only because of the logistics of where we stayed and the time involved driving there... now if the road went through from the north shore enabling driving around Kaena Point, well then, that would be another story.

I have heard great things about many of the beaches and parks on the leeward coast. Some good & bad info re. locals attitude toward tourists. I truly believe what goes around, comes around. Treat the people who live here w/ great respect, talk with them, enjoy them, and they will do the same w/ you. It is wonderful to come here and mingle w/ the locals...

Much will be explained in the "Driving & Discovering O'ahu" book. It has more opportunities listed than you could possibly do in a lifetime here. It will help in your planning if you have a map of the island handy.

A couple of things in/near the Waikiki area that we didn't do, that we did on our last trip & enjoyed, or that we plan to do on future trips are:

Manoa Falls
Waikahulu Falls
Tantalus & Round Top Drive
Snorkel the Kahala coast
Koki Head Regional Park
Sandy Beach
Makapuu Point

There are so many opportunities on O'ahu... happy planning... and if you get to it, great, and if you don't, there's always next time! ><

iamq

topping for hawaiiwoohoo. Ke Iki info.
-Bill

dusty56438

This is a great Oahu trip report.

Only took me 4 years to read it.