Hawaii 2017

Back to Hawaii with friends Bill and Becky Laughlin. Several days in Honolulu visiting with Deb and Mary, two weeks in Kauai, and lots of good diving.

Diving

Five days of great shore and boat diving with Fathom Five, including a night dive at Koloa Landing where I had two divemasters all to myself.

56 images

Our vacation with Bill and Becky Laughlin starts with 3 nights at The Modern Honolulu. The view from our balcony over Ala Moana Blvd towards Waikiki. May 11, 2017 11:51 AM
1 Our vacation with Bill and Becky Laughlin starts with 3 nights at The Modern Honolulu. The view from our balcony over Ala Moana Blvd towards Waikiki.
The other direction from our balcony overlooking the marina May 11, 2017 11:52 AM
2 The other direction from our balcony overlooking the marina
Yes, we are all spent after the 11 hour flight to Honolulu. So, is it time for a spa treatment or Vietnamese food? How convenient that they are both available through the same entrance. Billy and Max will decide! May 10, 2017 6:40 PM : Billy Laughlin, Maxine Klein
3 Yes, we are all spent after the 11 hour flight to Honolulu. So, is it time for a spa treatment or Vietnamese food? How convenient that they are both available through the same entrance. Billy and Max will decide!
Buddy waits patiently in the truck as we chow down on awesome Phở and Bún May 10, 2017 7:56 PM : Buddy
4 Buddy waits patiently in the truck as we chow down on awesome Phở and Bún
Lunch at one of our favorite spots, The Pig and the Lady in Chinatown May 11, 2017 2:49 PM : David Zeleznik, Maxine Klein
5 Lunch at one of our favorite spots, The Pig and the Lady in Chinatown
The banh mi, burger, and pho are all to die for May 11, 2017 1:16 PM
6 The banh mi, burger, and pho are all to die for
For some reason, after several rounds of lunchtime drinks everyone thought this no-right-turn sign was hysterical. First of all, the double negative required superhuman brainpower to decode. And secondly, the process of elimination begged the question as to what vehicles precisely were being prohibited. May 11, 2017 2:55 PM
7 For some reason, after several rounds of lunchtime drinks everyone thought this no-right-turn sign was hysterical. First of all, the double negative required superhuman brainpower to decode. And secondly, the process of elimination begged the question as to what vehicles precisely were being prohibited.
The assault on Honolulu food icons continues with dinner at Side Street Inn May 11, 2017 9:14 PM
8 The assault on Honolulu food icons continues with dinner at Side Street Inn
May 11, 2017 9:13 PM : Billy Laughlin, Brendan Hoffman, David Zeleznik, Debra Zeleznik, Mary Wilkowski, Maxine Klein, Megan Hoffman
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Hawaii2017-013 : Becky Laughlin, Billy Laughlin, Brendan Hoffman, David Zeleznik, Debra Zeleznik, Mary Wilkowski, Maxine Klein, Megan Hoffman
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Friday morning tour of Iolani Palace May 12, 2017 11:55 AM
11 Friday morning tour of Iolani Palace
Tour entrance at the rear of the palace May 12, 2017 11:32 AM
12 Tour entrance at the rear of the palace
Grand staircase May 12, 2017 10:50 AM
13 Grand staircase
May 12, 2017 10:52 AM
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May 12, 2017 11:21 AM
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The royal banquet room May 12, 2017 10:45 AM
16 The royal banquet room
Portico overlook King St., which at the time the palace was built ran along the Honolulu shoreline. Now King St. is 1/2 mile from the water. May 12, 2017 10:54 AM
17 Portico overlook King St., which at the time the palace was built ran along the Honolulu shoreline. Now King St. is 1/2 mile from the water.
King David Kalākaua's  bed May 12, 2017 10:59 AM
18 King David Kalākaua's bed
The palace phone system May 12, 2017 11:03 AM
19 The palace phone system
The king's office May 12, 2017 11:06 AM
20 The king's office
May 12, 2017 11:07 AM
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The music room with Queen Liliʻuokalani's most famous composition, "Aloha `Oe" May 12, 2017 11:10 AM
22 The music room with Queen Liliʻuokalani's most famous composition, "Aloha `Oe"
The amazing woodwork and nickel-plated hardware of the palace doors May 12, 2017 11:18 AM
23 The amazing woodwork and nickel-plated hardware of the palace doors
Queen Liliuokalani's bed May 12, 2017 11:20 AM
24 Queen Liliuokalani's bed
Koa entrance doors to the throne room May 12, 2017 10:50 AM
25 Koa entrance doors to the throne room
Our docent May 12, 2017 11:24 AM
26 Our docent
The throne room at Iolani Palace May 12, 2017 11:25 AM
27 The throne room at Iolani Palace
May 12, 2017 11:29 AM
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May 12, 2017 11:26 AM
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May 12, 2017 11:43 AM
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The Royal Hawaiian Band starts their free outdoor concert on Friday afternoons with the blowing of conch shells May 12, 2017 12:02 PM
31 The Royal Hawaiian Band starts their free outdoor concert on Friday afternoons with the blowing of conch shells
May 12, 2017 12:02 PM
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After the blowing of the conch shells they sing the Hawaii state song "Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī" written in 1874 by King David Kalākaua May 12, 2017 12:03 PM
33 After the blowing of the conch shells they sing the Hawaii state song "Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī" written in 1874 by King David Kalākaua
Back to Chinatown again for lunch, this time to Grondin which bills itself as French-Latin May 12, 2017 2:03 PM
34 Back to Chinatown again for lunch, this time to Grondin which bills itself as French-Latin
May 12, 2017 2:02 PM
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Quite the eclectic menu, from empanadas, cubanos, and chicharronnes to house-made charcuterie, moules frites, and cassoulet. Lucky for us, they were out of the chicken for the mole and were substituting duck legs! May 12, 2017 12:59 PM
36 Quite the eclectic menu, from empanadas, cubanos, and chicharronnes to house-made charcuterie, moules frites, and cassoulet. Lucky for us, they were out of the chicken for the mole and were substituting duck legs!
Duck mole, Belgian bierre, and boobs- the perfect lunch! May 12, 2017 1:52 PM : Maxine Klein
37 Duck mole, Belgian bierre, and boobs- the perfect lunch!
The fun part of Chinatown- Club Hubba Hubba May 12, 2017 2:07 PM
38 The fun part of Chinatown- Club Hubba Hubba
Celebrating Deb and Mary's 1-year anniversary at MW May 12, 2017 7:43 PM : Becky Laughlin, Billy Laughlin, David Zeleznik, Debra Zeleznik, Mary Wilkowski, Maxine Klein
39 Celebrating Deb and Mary's 1-year anniversary at MW
May 12, 2017 7:59 PM
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Cocktails! Smokey tequila and beet juice, and cucumber-licious gin fizz - all with shiso leaf May 12, 2017 8:06 PM
41 Cocktails! Smokey tequila and beet juice, and cucumber-licious gin fizz - all with shiso leaf
Billy's ahi poke with big pieces of fresh uni and topped with rice crackers May 12, 2017 8:34 PM
42 Billy's ahi poke with big pieces of fresh uni and topped with rice crackers
Dave's coconut Big Island kampachi ceviche May 12, 2017 8:35 PM
43 Dave's coconut Big Island kampachi ceviche
Max's steamed Opah May 12, 2017 8:50 PM
44 Max's steamed Opah
Three of us got the amazing short ribs topped with a big slab of foie gras May 12, 2017 8:50 PM
45 Three of us got the amazing short ribs topped with a big slab of foie gras
Happy Anniversary Deb and Mary!! May 12, 2017 9:38 PM : Debra Zeleznik, Mary Wilkowski
46 Happy Anniversary Deb and Mary!!
Before our plane flight to Kauai on Saturday, we went up to the house to visit with Buddy, Deb, and Emily May 13, 2017 1:12 PM : Debra Zeleznik
47 Before our plane flight to Kauai on Saturday, we went up to the house to visit with Buddy, Deb, and Emily
Deb and Emily May 13, 2017 1:12 PM : Debra Zeleznik
48 Deb and Emily
May 13, 2017 1:12 PM : Debra Zeleznik
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"Da Goils", at Deb and Mary's place relaxing before catching the plane to Kauai May 13, 2017 1:16 PM : Becky Laughlin, Maxine Klein
50 "Da Goils", at Deb and Mary's place relaxing before catching the plane to Kauai
Flying in to Lihue, Kauai from Honolulu May 13, 2017 3:52 PM
51 Flying in to Lihue, Kauai from Honolulu
We're in Kauai! May 13, 2017 4:18 PM
52 We're in Kauai!
Driving up from the airport to Princeville on the North Shore May 13, 2017 5:47 PM
53 Driving up from the airport to Princeville on the North Shore
Ahhh! We are back at Hanalei Bay Resort once again with Mt. Makana (aka Bali Hai) in the distance. May 13, 2017 6:19 PM
54 Ahhh! We are back at Hanalei Bay Resort once again with Mt. Makana (aka Bali Hai) in the distance.
Life is good- umbrella drinks and pupus at the Happy Talk May 13, 2017 8:12 PM : Becky Laughlin, Maxine Klein
55 Life is good- umbrella drinks and pupus at the Happy Talk
After Mother's Day brunch, we headed to visit the  Lawai International Center  whose spiritual center is the Buddhist-inspired Hall of Compassion May 14, 2017 2:41 PM
56 After Mother's Day brunch, we headed to visit the Lawai International Center whose spiritual center is the Buddhist-inspired Hall of Compassion
May 14, 2017 3:38 PM
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Lynn Muramoto, the president of the Lawai International Center, introduces us to the history of the land and the organization May 14, 2017 2:11 PM : Lynn Muramoto
58 Lynn Muramoto, the president of the Lawai International Center, introduces us to the history of the land and the organization
We enter the Hall of Compassion to meditate to the sounds of traditional Japanese flute May 14, 2017 2:53 PM
59 We enter the Hall of Compassion to meditate to the sounds of traditional Japanese flute
The 32-acre complex is a miniature replication of the 88 shrines of Shikoku, Japan which were built along a 1,000 mile long trail established more than 1,000 years ago May 14, 2017 2:42 PM
60 The 32-acre complex is a miniature replication of the 88 shrines of Shikoku, Japan which were built along a 1,000 mile long trail established more than 1,000 years ago
May 14, 2017 2:43 PM
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Here the small shrines are arranged along a winding hillside trail that takes about a half hour to complete May 14, 2017 2:43 PM
62 Here the small shrines are arranged along a winding hillside trail that takes about a half hour to complete
Max climbs the first level of the trail May 14, 2017 2:54 PM : Maxine Klein
63 Max climbs the first level of the trail
May 14, 2017 2:56 PM
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Orchids are placed throughout the hillside May 14, 2017 2:58 PM
65 Orchids are placed throughout the hillside
View overlooking the Hall of Compassion and Lawai valley May 14, 2017 2:59 PM
66 View overlooking the Hall of Compassion and Lawai valley
Becky and Max complete their short hike May 14, 2017 3:02 PM : Becky Laughlin, Maxine Klein
67 Becky and Max complete their short hike
May 14, 2017 3:04 PM
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Each shrine contains a unique collection of token offerings from the public May 14, 2017 3:06 PM
69 Each shrine contains a unique collection of token offerings from the public
May 14, 2017 3:08 PM
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The trail continues up and around the hill May 14, 2017 3:10 PM
71 The trail continues up and around the hill
Some of the shrines are perched pretty precariously May 14, 2017 3:12 PM
72 Some of the shrines are perched pretty precariously
May 14, 2017 3:15 PM
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May 14, 2017 3:27 PM
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Dave on the final descent, using the provided walking stick May 14, 2017 3:26 PM
75 Dave on the final descent, using the provided walking stick
Exiting from the Lawai International Center is a farm with braying donkeys, which kind of breaks the otherwise peaceful ambiance May 14, 2017 3:34 PM
76 Exiting from the Lawai International Center is a farm with braying donkeys, which kind of breaks the otherwise peaceful ambiance
Sunday night sunset over Hanalei Bay May 14, 2017 7:04 PM
77 Sunday night sunset over Hanalei Bay
Nene lurking around the lanai May 18, 2017 10:55 AM
78 Nene lurking around the lanai
Monday morning heading to our massages at Auntie Angeline's Lomi Lomi May 15, 2017 9:45 AM
79 Monday morning heading to our massages at Auntie Angeline's Lomi Lomi
May 15, 2017 9:47 AM
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Welcome to Auntie Angeline's May 15, 2017 11:54 AM
81 Welcome to Auntie Angeline's
The steam room and salt scrub hut May 15, 2017 11:44 AM
82 The steam room and salt scrub hut
The outdoor shower is needed to remove the salt from all the nooks and crannies May 15, 2017 9:51 AM
83 The outdoor shower is needed to remove the salt from all the nooks and crannies
Billy and Becky- the aprés massage sarong people May 15, 2017 11:27 AM : Becky Laughlin, Billy Laughlin
84 Billy and Becky- the aprés massage sarong people
His minions pledge fealty to Billy, lord of Tiki Iniki May 16, 2017 2:40 PM : Billy Laughlin
85 His minions pledge fealty to Billy, lord of Tiki Iniki
Ritual mai tais at Tiki Iniki May 16, 2017 2:49 PM
86 Ritual mai tais at Tiki Iniki
Chicken in a Barrel for lunch, and yes they do cook the chicken in a barrel May 17, 2017 1:48 PM
87 Chicken in a Barrel for lunch, and yes they do cook the chicken in a barrel
Polynesian warrior sculpture in front of Havaiki tribal art gallery May 17, 2017 1:56 PM
88 Polynesian warrior sculpture in front of Havaiki tribal art gallery
Hanalei Valley taro fields May 17, 2017 2:30 PM
89 Hanalei Valley taro fields
Dinner at Hukilau Lanai, one of our favorite spots on Kauai May 17, 2017 7:11 PM : David Zeleznik, Maxine Klein
90 Dinner at Hukilau Lanai, one of our favorite spots on Kauai
Saturday night dinner at Roy Yamaguchi's new Eating House 1849. A sort of retro take by him to hearken back to the traditional Hawaiian foods he was brought up on. May 19, 2017 6:02 PM
91 Saturday night dinner at Roy Yamaguchi's new Eating House 1849. A sort of retro take by him to hearken back to the traditional Hawaiian foods he was brought up on.
May 19, 2017 6:04 PM
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Words to  live by, at least they've kept me alive so far! Peter Fernandez was the first restauranteur in Hawaii who opened The Eating House in Honolulu in the mid-1800's. May 19, 2017 7:12 PM
93 Words to live by, at least they've kept me alive so far! Peter Fernandez was the first restauranteur in Hawaii who opened The Eating House in Honolulu in the mid-1800's.
Billy's whole fried Tai Snapper. It was giving Billy the eye, so he ate them. May 19, 2017 6:54 PM
94 Billy's whole fried Tai Snapper. It was giving Billy the eye, so he ate them.
Scallops topped with crab and a fried rice musubi May 19, 2017 6:54 PM
95 Scallops topped with crab and a fried rice musubi
Lazy Saturday afternoon at Anini Beach May 20, 2017 2:00 PM : video thumbnail
96 Lazy Saturday afternoon at Anini Beach
Toes in the sand drinks and pupus at Lava Lava May 20, 2017 7:08 PM
97 Toes in the sand drinks and pupus at Lava Lava
The weather report looks "Calm" May 20, 2017 7:10 PM
98 The weather report looks "Calm"
One of the very few places on Kauai to actually sit and drink with your feet in the sand May 20, 2017 7:17 PM
99 One of the very few places on Kauai to actually sit and drink with your feet in the sand
Billy continues doing research for his new tome "Mai Tai Connoisseur", to be published as soon as  his BAC returns to single digit levels May 20, 2017 7:27 PM : Billy Laughlin
100 Billy continues doing research for his new tome "Mai Tai Connoisseur", to be published as soon as his BAC returns to single digit levels
This is what happens after the first super-sized mai tai is consumed and the second smaller and more traditional mai tai is about to be subjected to rigorous testing May 20, 2017 8:20 PM : Billy Laughlin
101 This is what happens after the first super-sized mai tai is consumed and the second smaller and more traditional mai tai is about to be subjected to rigorous testing
Quite the feast cooking in last night with Deb visiting from Oahu. For pupus we have clockwise from bottom-right- snow crab/spicy ahi/avocado roll from the Dolphin Fish Market. Also from the fish market is spicy langoustine poke and tako poke. Then Max's famous to-die-for guac and pickles from Kauai Juice Co. May 21, 2017 5:20 PM
102 Quite the feast cooking in last night with Deb visiting from Oahu. For pupus we have clockwise from bottom-right- snow crab/spicy ahi/avocado roll from the Dolphin Fish Market. Also from the fish market is spicy langoustine poke and tako poke. Then Max's famous to-die-for guac and pickles from Kauai Juice Co.
Grilled ahi steaks on the left and opah (moonfish) on the right. Ono-licious! May 21, 2017 6:34 PM
103 Grilled ahi steaks on the left and opah (moonfish) on the right. Ono-licious!
The crowd starts assembling for what looks like might be a pretty decent sunset May 21, 2017 7:08 PM
104 The crowd starts assembling for what looks like might be a pretty decent sunset
May 21, 2017 7:04 PM
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Bali Hai at sunset May 21, 2017 7:07 PM
106 Bali Hai at sunset
May 21, 2017 7:14 PM
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And the show is over for the evening.... May 21, 2017 7:14 PM
108 And the show is over for the evening....
Monday visit with Deb to Limahuli National Tropical Botanical Garden. Closed to the public on Mondays, I had the place to myself while Deb conducted business with the administrator. May 22, 2017 11:08 AM
109 Monday visit with Deb to Limahuli National Tropical Botanical Garden. Closed to the public on Mondays, I had the place to myself while Deb conducted business with the administrator.
Panorama of Limahuli Gardens May 22, 2017 11:00 AM : video thumbnail
110 Panorama of Limahuli Gardens
May 22, 2017 11:35 AM
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May 22, 2017 11:36 AM
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One of the best things to happen in a while at Hanalei Bay Resort, the pool bar opened! Local legend Mike Keale played Thursday afternoon as it rained buckets, but who cared since we were sitting in the water drinking margaritas. Iz Kamakawiwoʻole was Mike's cousin, and Mike plays two of his most famous tunes, Hawaii '78 and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. May 25, 2017 2:58 PM : video thumbnail
113 One of the best things to happen in a while at Hanalei Bay Resort, the pool bar opened! Local legend Mike Keale played Thursday afternoon as it rained buckets, but who cared since we were sitting in the water drinking margaritas. Iz Kamakawiwoʻole was Mike's cousin, and Mike plays two of his most famous tunes, Hawaii '78 and Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Two days of rain after weeks of cloudless weather and the mountains are filled with waterfalls May 25, 2017 5:42 PM
114 Two days of rain after weeks of cloudless weather and the mountains are filled with waterfalls
Our new culinary discovery for this trip, the Palate Wine Bar recently opened in Kilauea May 25, 2017 6:09 PM
115 Our new culinary discovery for this trip, the Palate Wine Bar recently opened in Kilauea
The antipasto plate with house made mustard, very ono! May 25, 2017 6:31 PM
116 The antipasto plate with house made mustard, very ono!
The kitchen crew is definitely on their game May 25, 2017 6:52 PM
117 The kitchen crew is definitely on their game
Local lamb chops May 25, 2017 7:23 PM
118 Local lamb chops
Stopping for our favorite shave ice May 26, 2017 2:57 PM
119 Stopping for our favorite shave ice
"Love Potion No. 9" and "Almond Joy" shave ice May 26, 2017 3:03 PM
120 "Love Potion No. 9" and "Almond Joy" shave ice
May 26, 2017 6:43 PM : David Zeleznik, Maxine Klein
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May 26, 2017 6:43 PM : David Zeleznik, Maxine Klein
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Only liquor store I know that has heliconia out front for the taking May 26, 2017 7:00 PM
123 Only liquor store I know that has heliconia out front for the taking
Last night in paradise is dinner at Bar Acuda in Hanalei May 26, 2017 7:18 PM
124 Last night in paradise is dinner at Bar Acuda in Hanalei
Surf boards on the ceiling May 26, 2017 7:18 PM
125 Surf boards on the ceiling
Bill and Becky look like  vacation agrees with them May 26, 2017 7:14 PM : Becky Laughlin, Billy Laughlin
126 Bill and Becky look like vacation agrees with them
First set of tapas May 26, 2017 7:21 PM
127 First set of tapas
Humboldt Fog cheese and local honeycomb May 26, 2017 7:41 PM
128 Humboldt Fog cheese and local honeycomb
Local lamb May 26, 2017 8:03 PM
129 Local lamb
Time to say goodbye to Hawaii until next year. Flying over Pearl Harbor, you can just make out the Arizona Memorial at the very edge of the picture, to the left of the three battleships May 27, 2017 1:08 PM
130 Time to say goodbye to Hawaii until next year. Flying over Pearl Harbor, you can just make out the Arizona Memorial at the very edge of the picture, to the left of the three battleships