Craters and Luaus

 Adventures in Waikiki

Saturday June 11 

First thing this morning we took an Uber to Diamond Head Crater Monument (Le’ahi). We thankfully made it on time for our 8am reservations and began the hike. It’s a little less than a mile up, but it’s pretty rough and steep. The kids were full of energy and beat us to the top. Annabelle led the way of course. There were fun facts written on signs by local elementary students. Josh and I loved the one that said it would take over 6,500 twizzlers to cover the circumference of the crater. The view at the top was stunning. You can see all the way around the crater, the lighthouse, and the shoreline of Waikiki Beach. 

Before the hike

I like the Hawaiian women’s bathroom sign 

Peek-a-boo Liam! My hiking buddy again 

Heading up, up, up 

The slow half of the Boyer family 

Up, up, up again 

Through the tunnel 

We made it to the top! It was very windy, but the view was totally worth it. 

Headed through the pill box and down the crater 

After the hike we came back to rest at our AirBnB and check out the pool. We had it all to ourselves. Liam bravely jumped in the water into our arms over and over and over again! Annabelle practiced swimming without her floaties with Dave as her teacher. She was doing a great job putting her face in the water and kicking. And the boys practiced different strokes for their scout merit badges. It was a beautiful afternoon and nice to relax in the pool. 

In the evening we walked to Hale Koa for a luau! I didn’t really know what to expect, just that I really wanted to experience one. As we walked in, we were greeted with shell necklaces and drinks; rum punch for the adults and guava juice for the kids. Then we got our picture taken as a family and participated in several different activities. Annabelle made a purple lei bracelet and the boys attempted to make woven grass head dresses. It took us a while to figure out the “twist, in and over” directions, but I finally got it and felt proud of myself. Josh wanted his picture taken with the instructor and the instructor asked who made it. I (beaming) said that I had. He laughingly told me it was terrible and promised to make Josh a new one. He made a beautiful smooth one in seconds and Josh was very happy. The kids also got tattoos (stamps). We enjoyed Hawaiian music, got instructions on the hula, watched a tree climbing demonstration, and saw how they cooked the pig under banana leaves in the outdoor kitchen called an imu (ee-moo). I learned that Hawaiians call the palm tree the tree of life because they use every part of it. And the coconut is called the fruit of life. It makes me rethink what I picture when I read about the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. 

Entering the luau

Making a lei bracelet 

Attempting the “twist, in and over” 

My attempt at the headdress deemed “terrible” 

My two cool dudes 

Learning steps to the hula 

Tree climbing demonstration

The pig is cooked and ready to eat 

 Then we headed to our table to eat and watch the show. Dinner was rice, breaded mahi mahi, teriyaki steak, pulled pork, orange chicken, squash, and sweet potato. We also tried poi made from taro root. We were not a fan of that, but the guava cake for dessert was delicious! And Caleb was happy because he got a grown up plate, while Josh got the child size portion. The show was so fun, a tour through Polynesia. The performers danced and sang traditional dances from Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, and Samoa. Liam ended up loving the show and enjoyed the dancing. The older three were running back and forth between watching and playing with other kids, but Liam sat in my lap the whole time mesmerized. The kids said the luau was their favorite thing we’ve done so far. It was a fun, memorable night! 

Our dinner

Guava Cake 

Dance from Tahiti 

Fire Dance