My second home, Hawaii

I would definitely suggest getting out of the city as nowadays traffic in downtown Honolulu is crazy! If you must stay in the city definitely go to the International Marketplace as it will soon be torn down. This is an extremely quaint outdoor market shaded by large banyan trees where vendors sell everything from jewelry, watches, clothing, and other local wares.

On the other hand if you would like to get away from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu, possibly drive up to Pali Lookout and you'll have a great view of the windward side of the island. You can also drive over to Haleiwa (pronounced Halee-eva) and visit the cute fishing and surfing town right off the north shore. If it’s during the winter you can watch the more experienced surfers ride the large waves. What an awesome site!

Also if you’re really into beaches and visit Waimanalo on the windward side as this beach has rather nice waves for the beginner boogie boarder and the sand is extremely fine. One word of caution, however: stay clear of the locals as tourists in Hawaii are not always welcomed everywhere

Quick Tips:

If romance is on your mind, wait till the sun is setting and then go for a stroll along Waikiki. On the other hand, if you were born to shop I definitely suggest Ala Moana mall in downtown. If you are staying in downtown Honolulu or off of Waikiki this is very easy to get to by either walking, hopping on the bus ( last time I was there), or driving. I however would not suggest driving as much though unless you are very familiar with this city.

Best Way To Get Around:

If you plan to pretty much shop, soak up some sun, and do a little sightseeing around downtown, I would suggest not getting a rental vehicle as you won't need it downtown. However, if you plan to tour the island definitely go for it, but do get a good map.

I’ve seen the Hale Koa at two totally different stages of my life and its life. The first time I was a 13 year old military brat when my family stayed there while waiting for our housing. Next time, I was a 21-year-old adult vacationing with my husband during his mid-tour leave from Korea. It’s amazing to see how it has grown, changed, and developed into an absolutely stunning property since Hurricane Iniki hit in 1992.

This is another property that only US Military and government ID card holders can stay at. The room rates here at the Hale Koa are more than competitive to even the kama’aina or local rates of the other hotels nearby and there is parking right across the street for a fee of $4 per day for hotel guests, which is extremely convenient, as cheap parking is hard to come by downtown. Of course, the room rates are just like any other military resort and are dependent upon rank and room type, but it would be almost impossible to find anywhere else more affordable right on Waikiki.

One thing that has changed considerably since I was a child is the pool at the Hale Koa. It used to be a small square pool where we children spent the entire day playing sharks and minnows and Marco polo. Now, it is a beautiful lagoon-shaped pool, complete with bridges over some of the narrower parts of the pool, a poolside bar where you can have a nice cold drink brought to you, and dozens of chairs where you can lounge, soak up a little sun, and relax while the children play. There are several restaurants that you can visit after a warm, soothing day in the sun right at the resort that range from ultra-fine dining to a relaxed family atmosphere.

During my most recent stay at the Hale Koa the rooms were comfortable yet were like the average military hotel room as the beds were a little too firm, the towels had been bleached a few too many times, and the toiletries offered in the bathroom were the normal, cheaper variety. We had a partial makai, or ocean view, off our lanai, which allowed us to see the sun set over Waikiki, which was really romantic when paired with a little champagne and Maui Caramacs from Hawaiian Host. Whether you prefer an ocean or mountain view, however, it’s best to stay in the new tower, as you can’t hear as much from the hallway, the other guests, or the elevators.

If your plans take you to Honolulu, whether it is for vacation or business, and you’re U.S. Active Duty or retired military, I would definitely suggest the Hale Koa. Just make sure to reserve your room early because availability is extremely limited.

For more information, check out the following link: www.halekoa.com

Whenever my husband and I felt like being tourists or when we were in the mood for a good dinner with an even better view, we always went to Chuck’s Steak House, located in downtown Honolulu in the lobby of the Outrigger off Kalakau Boulevard. We first visited this restaurant during our four-day stay in the convenient and beautiful Hale Koa Hotel, which just happened to be around four blocks walking distance from the restaurant. The night we discovered Chuck’s Steak House, we just happened to be walking around Kalakau (which parallels Waikiki and has stores, restaurants, and hotels galore) when we noticed the sign on the front of the Outrigger hotel for the restaurant. We were both hungry, so we just decided, "Okay, why not?"

The timing was perfect because the sun was just beginning to set over Diamond Head, which made Waikiki appear as if it were made out of gold and not just ordinary sand. Soon after being seated, our waitress took our orders and then left us to enjoy the view and each other’s company. The service here is very efficient, so we did not wait long at all for our drinks.

We chose to have salads with our meals, so we just got up and visited the salad bar, which was stocked with the normal selections, as well as a few more local treats like fresh pineapple and papaya. This restaurant serves everything from steak and lobster to local favorites, such as teriyaki chicken -- everything is always very delicious. I have to admit, though, that this restaurant is a better spot for couples than families with small children, as it is rather small inside the restaurant. I also have to say, as a person who does not have children, if a family were to bring their smaller children to this restaurant it would somewhat spoil the very romantic atmosphere.

The prices here are very affordable, especially when you compare them with many of the other restaurants in downtown Waikiki. Just about each time we have dined here our total cost was about $60, which breaks down to approximately $25 per person.

The best way to get to this restaurant is to park in one of the many parking garages that are scattered around downtown Honolulu and just simply walk to the restaurant because the closer you get to this hotel and restaurant, the closer you get to the shops and other restaurants, which means that parking is scarce and expensive.

This park has changed quite a bit since I visited there, first as a child, then as an adult. At one time guests of the park were allowed to feed the fish with corn and peas while scuba diving or snorkeling--now however you are allowed to just watch. Even still though, this is an amazing feeling, just watching as many different colors of fish swarm about you all in different vibrant colors. You'll see many different varities of fish here, from parrotfish with their parrot beaks to lovely delicate angelfish.

As you let your body float you can feel as the fish swim against your body--in fact sometimes it feels almost kind of threatening. No worries though, the only kind that will bite are moray eels, which like to hide in holes in the coral to grab a bite or two from the fish swimming by (don't worry, they don't attack humans that often but they are very spooky looking). Any mainlander who visits, I must caution you: use sunscreen and use it a lot as the sun is very strong and before you know it you've got a sunburn. Also another side note on admission: it has not changed since I have lived there--$3 for tourists.

First, I have to offer a word of caution: please do not stop suddenly in the middle of the road to watch the pineapple grow. I lived approximately 2 to 3 miles away from the plantations, and it always seemed like there were accidents due in part to the tourists who suddenly stop in the middle of the road because they just simply must take pictures of the pineapple or coffee plantations. If you feel you must watch the pineapple grow, pull over to the side of the road.

There, now that I have said that, I must insist that before you leave Hawaii, and this includes all the islands by the way, you must try a Dole whip, which is a sherbet/ice-cream combination that is so delicious on a warm Hawaiian day. The usual flavor is pineapple, but I’ve spoken with a few of my friends who still visit the islands, and they have advised me that Dole has added a few more flavors. My husband and I used to stop by the plantation on the way back from grocery shopping just to grab two Dole whip cones to eat on the way back home.

If you get a chance, try to find a Sugar Loaf pineapple at either the Aloha Flea Market or at the Plantation. These are grown only on Kauai and are incredibly sweet, without the normal acidity of a pineapple. As for other relaxing, non-eating endeavors, there is a Pineapple Garden Maze that I believe is still $5 for adults and $3 for children, as well as the Pineapple Express and the Pineapple Garden Tour, both of which also charge admission. The Plantation also, of course, sells overpriced Aloha wear, teas, and coffees, as well as other gift boxes and baskets to bring home to friends and family. You can even buy fresh pineapples to send back home, which is always a treat, since you get to enjoy it after your vacation is over.

The Dole Plantation is quite a drive from downtown, so if you do plan to visit, you’ll need to either rent a car or use a taxi. As I stated earlier, it is deep into many of the plantation fields on a two-way highway, so I definitely suggest driving cautiously.

This is an amazing site, to say the least. As you drive up Pali Highway you'll notice to your left or right the long elegant waterfalls that are present on the Koolau Mountains. Then once you exit your car upon reaching the lookout you will be literally blasted by wind!

I was told a story about the winds that blow over these steep mountains when I was only 15 years old. Supposedly, King Kamehameha threw his enemies down this cliff, and now any man or woman who attempts to take their own life down this cliff by jumping will be thrown back onto the sidewalk and not permitted to die there. I have personally tried just simply jumping up and down on the sidewalk, and on a very windy day, I was literally blown a few inches back each time.

There is an awesome view from here of the windward side of the Island and it provides great photo opportunities so come prepared with a camera and film. There are views of The Chinaman's Hat which is small island shaped just like a Chinaman's hat, Kanoehe, Waimanalo, and many of the smaller windward towns and cities. The wonderful thing about this activity is that this is completely free which is pretty rare in Hawaii, so I would definitely suggest this to anyone visiting, as you can simply make a stop while traveling from the Leeward side to the windward side of the Island.

First and foremost, I have to admit that being both a US Navy Air Traffic Controller's daughter and a US Army soldier's wife, I am still deeply moved by this memorial. The movie that is shown first, the boat ride out to the memorial, and the quiet time you have to yourself to read all of the names of the sailors who died in the name of the United States of America is truly saddening. At the same time, I found I became truly proud of our service members who died trying to defend our great country. Oil to this day still leaks from the Arizona, supposedly as a way of connecting the past to the present, and from the land portion of the memorial (before you get onto the boat), you can see the Kole Kole pass that the Japenese bombers flew through on their way to their first attacks. Truly, the Arizona Memorial is a place to both mourn lost lives and to relearn our history as a nation.

Admission to this historical site is free.