April 8

Awoke to some clouds but warm, a little humid until the winds start.  The mountains behind us are clouded in, they are having rain over there.  Quick breakfast at the hotel and drive over to the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites location for the day.  Luckily we booked in advance and were able to walk right in and get in the movie and take the launch over to the USS Arizona Memorial in the harbor.  They give out 1500 free tics a day for the USS Arizona but they go fast.  Worth buying the package with the Arizona included.  It is a solemn trip and everyone is to be quiet upon walking on the memorial site.  It looks like a long white tube with cut outs.  Inside is a marble wall listing all those who died on Dec. 7, 1941.  Several hundred men remain interred in the downed battle ship.  The memorial stretches over the submerged body of the ship.  Back at the visitor center there are museums that explain the history leading up to the attack and events that occurred.  We then took a bus over to Ford Island where the Naval Base is located.  We visited the USS Missouri, last big battle ship to ever be built.  It came into service after the Pearl Harbor attack so was not damaged. It has seen tours in Korea, Viet Nam and the Persian Golf before being mothballed.  From the time of Pearl Harbor more emphasis has been put on air force over navy in war.  Having the Missouri moored close to the Arizona makes delineates the beginning and the end of WWII. The Pacific Aviation Museum, more history on their action during and after the attack, Amelia Earhart and women flyers who flew in service during the war. Back to main visitor center and visit to the Bow Fin Submarine and history of its involvement. Find out they have cancelled the rest of the launch tours due to high wind, so we really lucked out.  Drove back to the hotel.  Mostly we get through Honolulu traffic very well, if we can keep out of rush hour.  The roads over the island are mostly 2 lane and locals use it as their own, so that can be slow going.  Park the car with valet and drop things at the room and walk down to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.  An historic old hotel, candy pink adobe exterior, with a colonial Bermuda type interior with high ceilings, wood floors and open to the outdoors.  A large manicured lawn in front secluded from the noise and traffic on the main drag.  The back opens to the beach and the ocean. We sit on their patio watching the sun go down with a full view of Diamond Head and water activity.  This hotel was made famous by Elvis Presley when he made his Hawaii movie, it is where he stayed.  Walk down to Mauna Outrigger Westin Hotel.  Another beautiful old hotel with big verandas and pillars.  Sit on their beach patio and listen to Hawaiian music and hula dancing.  Back to the hotel. It’s been a big day time for sleep.  Still waiting for the relaxation part.  LOL.