United States: Hawaii

[Last updated: 25-Feb-2021]

Introduction Hong Kong Thailand Malaysia Singapore Indonesia
Australia New Zealand Fiji Hawaii (U.S) United States Canada  

Thursday, 16 - Sep - 1993

To-day is now yesterday - I have lost a day!!!

We arrived/landed in Honolulu at 03:30 (America's fiftieth state (Hawaii Five-O)) after very little sleep. At immigration, I was asked if I have been in jail and taken drugs! "Only Paracetamol for headaches" was my reply! Apparently, when my passport (with visa) was put under the scanner, it set off the "alarm bells" on the screen. The supervisor was called, and said "We know about that. Just ignore it" and I was allowed to enter the United States. I took a shuttle bus to a backpacker's hostel, where I paid USD 10 (£6.53) for the first night and USD 15 (£9.80) for the second; using a USD 50 travellers cheque, to be given some dollars in cash.

After a bit of sleep, I got up at 09:30 and made my way over to the Hilton Hawaiian Village, where I changed two USD 50 travellers cheques into cash. Postage to the U.K. was USD 6.31/1lb, USD 11.59/2lb and USD 29.25/5lb by air, or USD 6.55/2lb and USD 12.83 by sea. I bought eight postcards and thought I'd go and write them on Waikiki Beach (Photo HW-003). Well, that is if I could get onto it! It was full of sunbathing bodies; the Costa Del Sol scenario came to mind! Thus, (at 11:30) I went and had breakfast; a waffel with strawberries and cream! Yummy!

Whilst walking around the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Centre, I came across a travel agent, where I booked a flight to Maui for Saturday, returning on Thursday (24-Sep-1993; 17:00) in time for my 19:20(?) flight to Los Angeles. After leaving that shop, I noticed the Polynesian Cultural Centre shop. I booked myself onto a visit tomorrow, leaving from the Hilton Hotel at 15:00.

It was now about 16:00 and I needed a shower, so I headed back to the hostel. On the way back, I saw a shop selling T-shirts; 3 for USD 10.99 or 5 for USD 20.00. As I had some clean ones, I decided to visit the shop tomorrow. When I got back to the hostel, I found out that my flight was at 05:00 on the 24th! I therefore rushed back to Aloha Airlines and changed my return flight (from Maui) to 21:00 on 23-Sep-1993. That meant I would have to spend about 7 hours at the airport.

I hunted around for a public phone, to call the Banana Bungalow in Wailuku, Maui (+1 800 846 7835), and booked accommodation for Saturday night. By now, with all this running around in the humidity, the sweat was just leaking from pores I didn't know I had! I got back to the hostel and had a well-needed shower!

Suitably refreshed, and with two USD 50 and one USD 20 traveller cheques, I set off to see the setting sun. However, I got lost, so I made my way to the Hard Rock Cafe. There was a huge queue outside (at 18:20!), but then I noticed it was for the shop and not the restaurant! There was a 15-minute wait for a table, so I was directed to the bar where I ordered Tomato Soup, Spare Ribs and a beer. I used the USD 20 cheque, as the bill came to USD 19.43.

I left at 19:45 and headed into the city centre. Life rushed by, including a very noisy ambulance. I walked along Saratoga Road (for a change!) and Kalia Road, and ended up at the Sheraton Waikiki. There wasn't much around (or to do), so I headed for the 'main drag' (Kalãkaua Avenue), and ultimately, the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Centre. It was busy! I saw a number of people around a particular stall. On closer investigation, a gentleman (of oriental (Chinese) appearance) was creating artwork (names, or whatever you wanted) in water colours, using leather pads; quite unusual and unique!


Photo HW-001

Photo HW-002

Photo HW-003

Photo HW-004

While waiting for the artist to produce three for me, the area was subjected to some heavy showers. I was happy that I wasn't outside in the street! I left the centre at 21:30 and made my way back to the hostel, very tired. The air conditioning was working - thankfully. I climbed into my sleeping bag and "went out like a light"!

Friday, 17 - Sep - 1993

I woke up at 09:30 (I must have been tired!) with the thought that I must be at the Hilton by 15:00, for my trip to the Polynesian Cultural Centre (PCC). I got my hair cut 'next door' to the hostel, by a French guy from La Rochelle. My hair was washed before he started. I didn't know what he was doing at the back of my head, but I was beginning to worry! It seemed an odd way of cutting hair, as I was used to having it layered. When he had finished cutting, my hair was washed for a second time. All this cost me USD 20.80 (£13.59). I hastened back to the hostel, where I combed my hair in front of a mirror! Argh! Oh well, it's too late now! At least it will grow again!

It was hot and humid, but I appeared to be getting used to it, unlike my first experience in Hong Kong. I went to the post office to send the prints to the U.K., which cost USD 3.01 (£1.97). I then walked around town, where I bought three T-shirts for USD 11.45 (£7.48). If I had not been in a rush yesterday to book my flight to Maui, I could have had a return flight plus one day's car hire for USD 122 (£79.74), instead of the normal price of USD 148 (£96.73); which I paid!

I arrived at the Hilton bus loading area at 14:00, so went and sat by the pool. But it was too hot. After 20 minutes, I went back to the loading area toilet to have a brief wash! The bus duly arrived at 15:00 and we boarded. It had a sign above the door, which read "State Law Requires: Your driver to be buckled up for everyone's safety". I couldn't quite understand what that Americanism meant! So, if the bus crashes, the driver might be the only one who survives?!

We finally left for the Polynesian Cultural Centre (owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (also known as The Mormons)), located in the north-east part of the island. The journey to it reminded me of other parts of the world that I have been to, in that the island of Honolulu has a serious traffic problem! Also, like Fiji and Australia, Honolulu had an incredible number of Japanese tourists. After about two hours (at 17:20), we finally arrived at the centre, after taking an interesting guide through the mountains, including a brief photo stop to view Mokolii (Photo HW-005), also known as the Chinaman's Hat, because of its cone shape, resembling the type of hat worn by peasants in rural China! By the way, Mokolii means “little lizard” in Hawaiian.

My activities at the centre included taking a canal ride, having a buffet lunch and watching an evening show. All of us on the canal ride boarded our designated boat (apart from four rather overweight (very fat) Yanks that we had to wait about 15 minutes for)! We eventually set off and passed through the different gardens, or island nations. There were six in total, representing the Polynesian People, starting with Hawaii (in the north of the centre), passing Tahiti, Tonga (Photo HW-007), Fiji (Photo HW-008), Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Samoa.


Photo HW-005

Photo HW-006

Photo HW-007

Photo HW-008

Towards the end of the boat trip, it started raining. In fact, it was the start of a tropical downpour! As most of us came unprepared for rain, we naturally got wet! The bridges that we passed under provided a partial and temporary shelter, except for those passengers at the front of the boat, who asked for their money back! Stupid Yanky Whimps! I hope they were only joking! The last bridge we arrived at was large enough to accommodate the whole craft out of the rain. Any umbrellas? No!

We were told to disembark in an orderely fashion, two-by-two, but it was obvious that Yanks can't count! They all made a scramble for the landing stage, even though the boat was completely sheltered from the rain! Thus, they all got wet moving into the open; Lemmings sprang to mind! Along with the guide, I was the only passenger to stay in the boat. Relief came in the form of folded plastic rain coats. I finally got to the food hall at 18:15.

Fish, chicken, salad, pasta; it's help yourself time! For dessert, there were fresh pineapple, melon and other fresh fruits. I got to my allocated show seat (in the Pacific Theatre) at 19:20. The show was very colourful and the performances were good. The only thing that I thought strange was that some of the performers were not of the typical appearance of the countries that they represented; for example, there was a very European-looking Fijian! The show ended at 21:00 and there was the usual scramble (more like a stampede!) to get out! Once on coach, some passengers were in the wrong seats. It was utter mayhem! [Yanks couldn't "organise a pi$$-up in a brewery"!]

From his accent, I think the driver might have come from the southern part of the U.S. "OK cousins"! he shouted. "It's customary to show your appreciation of your driver when you leave the bus". I didn't like his attitude! Any appreciation/contribution should come from the heart and be completely voluntary! I arrived back at my base at 22:45.

Saturday, 18 - Sep - 1993

I was up at 08:00 (after a disturbed night's sleep) and away from the hostel by 09:00. It was the start of the Aloha Festival, which started in Ala Moana Boulevard. By the time I arrived, there was already a large number of people lining the road; mainly in the shade, under the 'umbrella tree', at the junction with Kalia Road.


Photo HW-009

Photo HW-010

Photo HW-011

Photo HW-012

As I had to be at the airport no later than 11:45, I kept an eye on the traffic situation, as well as the time! The procession started at 10:00 with various bands and flag wavers. I watched two floats pass by, before leaving at 10:30 and arriving at the airport at 11:15; the bus fare was USD 0.60 (£0.39).

I wasn't aware until my visit to Hawaii that Britain's Union Flag is part of the Hawaiian flag (Photo HW-013)! The story is that, when Captain Cook arrived on the island in 1778, the then chief (Kamehameha I) liked the Union Flag so much, he decided to have it as part of his own flag. There is another suggestion that it is there because Hawaii was once part of the British Commonwealth, before becoming part of the United States.


Photo HW-013

It seemed that the inter-island flights were like buses, as I could have departed on an earlier flight, but I decided to wait. Boarding time started at 12:10 and by 12:20, virtually full, we left the gate. The flight to Maui took about 30 minutes. Before collecting my baggage, I called the Banana Bungalow and was told that the white VIP station wagon, driven by Dan (the hostel's shuttle driver), would be at the green #2 shelter in about 30 minutes.

While waiting for my luggage, I walked between the baggage carousel and the front of the building, as I thought my bag had been lost! In actual fact, I eventually found it on the floor, to the side of the belt, with some other cases. I got to the #2 shelter at 13:45 and started reading some of the Maui literature I had accumulated. At 14:20, I called again, pretending to be someone else, just in case the driver had already left for the airport. "About 20 minutes" was the reply. Well, at 14:45, a well-used vehicle arrived. Where was the VIP station wagon?

At the hostel, I checked in and was told that dinner was at 19:00, and if I wanted to eat in, I had to add my name to the list before 17:00. Tonight's meal was sirloin steak and mashed potato for USD 6.00 (£3.92). In the meantime, I popped to the supermarket next door to buy a 12-pack of beer for USD 3.49 (£2.29), and a packet of raisin bran and some milk, for my morning breakfasts; i.e., the bran and milk, not the beer!

I managed to speak to (Fiji) Brett, and he said that they were returning to O'ahu on Monday morning, so we will try and meet tomorrow. As for dinner, the amount of food presented on the plate at dinner was enormous! The steak was perfect, so too was the potato, corn and gravy. Afterwards, a number of us sat and talked. I retired into my top bunk at 22:30, with lights out at 22:50.

Sunday, 19 - Sep - 1993

Breakfast was two bowls of cereal with milk; I was hungry! I spent some time yesterday phoning a number of car hire companies, including Budget (which quoted USD 29.99 per day) and Hertz (which quoted USD 195 for 4 days!). In the end, I called Budget again and today's price was USD 26 (£16.99) per day, so I reserved a car for 4 days!

Dan drove four of us to Kanaha Beach. It was very breezy, but very warm. Looking to the west, the mountains were shrouded in cloud, with occassional heavy rain showers falling; it looked quite spectacular. During the day, my face and my neck got burnt, so decided to take it easy; and see how I felt tomorrow. Dan picked us up at 15:55 and dropped me off at the Budget office (near Kahului Airport) 5 minutes later.


Photo HW-014

Photo HW-015

For some unknown reason, Budget had my car reservation for 1 day, but I said that when I called, I requested rental for 4 days, at a cost of USD 104 (£67.97). I was asked to return tomorrow and I will get Monday's rate. However, the receptionist relented and she offered me 3 days at USD 20 (£13.07) per day and the fourth day at USD 26 (£16.99). Deal done and dusted!
[It must have been my charming, British personality!]

The hire car was a Nissan Sentra with air conditioning, automatic seat belts, automatic transmission, electric mirrors, etc. Do Americans do anything when they drive; apart from eating very large burgers!? The car's gear lever was in 'Park', so I started the engine. However, I couldn't get it into gear, for love or money - even by depressing the button on the side of the gear lever! By sheer luck, I put my foot on the brake pedal. Et Voila! Success! The car started creeping forward. In a past life, I had owned a Mini Automatic, but this car's type of gearbox was totally alien to me! I made my way onto the State Highway 36 and found my way back to the Banana Bungalow.

I had to shower off the salt from the sea, before thinking about going for a drive. In the meantime, I received a message from Brett, saying that he couldn't make it this evening.

Dinner was pasta and salad, after which, I went to the supermarket for some fresh milk. I returned to the hostel's dinner table and chatted. I never did go for a drive, instead stayed where I was until 22:45. During the evening, the heavens opened a number of times with very heavy rain showers!

Monday, 20 - Sep - 1993

I was woken up at 08:15 by the sound of a refuse truck blowing its horn! It was useful, as I had arranged to go to Hana (on the east side of the island). I left the hostel at 10:30, following 'Martin the Argentinian' in his Suzuki Jeep. It certainly felt strange driving an automatic car again! With so much so, at one point, I nearly drove into the back of another car. The driver stopped too soon, plus it had been raining, so the road surface was wet! That aside, it was an interesting journey - driving through a tropical rain forest, along the State Highway 360 (aka the Hana Highway) - and stopping at various places. At one stop, Martin couldn't start his Jeep (flat battery), so we had to 'jump-start' it; he had no idea how to jump-start a vehicle!


Photo HW-016

Photo HW-017

Photo HW-018

Photo HW-019

Having passed Hana, we arrived at the Seven Pools at Ohe'o Gulch. The water was a muddy colour, but people were swimming in it! Shortly afterwards, we reached the (then) end of the road. It changed into a dirt track that appeared to disappear over the coastal cliffs! We returned to Ohe'o Gulch for another stop, as Martin wanted to camp there for the night. However, he had more trouble trying to restart his Jeep. After eventually getting it started, he headed off in search of help. I also left, but at a much slower speed, arriving back at Kahului (at about 18:30), where I filled the car up with petrol; 5.6 (U.S.) gallons at USD 1.64 per gallon - total USD 9.24 (£6.04).

I decided to eat out that evening, rather than at the hostel. At a nearby Pizza Hut, I had a Supreme Pizza (USD 11.99) and a small 7 Up; totalling USD 13.73 (£8.97), including USD 0.55 tax. For a 'dessert', I had a custard centred long doughnut and an apple pie; quite yummy! I rejoined the 'clan' around the dinner table at 20:00 and retired at 23:00.

Tuesday, 21 - Sep - 1993

I was awoken at 07:00 by someone banging on the door for the other guy in the room! He was starting work today. I therefore got ready, had breakfast, washed clothes and had them hung out to dry by 08:45. Using a Hawaiian phone card, I booked a bed at the Santa Monica Youth Hostel (+1 310 393 9913) for Friday night. Rather than discuss offers over the phone, I decided to see what was available once I got there.

I left the Banana Bungalow hostel at 09:15, and headed for the summit of Mount Haleakala, at 3,055 metres/10,023 feet (Photo HW-020), and its crater (Photo HW-021), while listening to KSSK on 92.3 FM. I arrived at the summit car park at 11:00 with a virtually cloudless sky. However, by 11:45, the cloud started building up, so I decided it was time to head down and back to the hostel, where I collected my dry laundry, before any possibility of rain showers. I then visited the American Savings Bank to change two USD travellers cheques into cash. The Hawaiian branch charged me commission, even though the currency was USD!

With cash in my pocket, I headed west, up the Iao Valley (Highway 32) to view the Iao Needle, at 690 metres/2,250 feet (Photo HW-022) and President Kennedy's Profile. The name 'Iao is pronounced "EE-ow."


Photo HW-020

Photo HW-021

Photo HW-022

From there, I made my way to Kihei (south of Kahului) via South Puunene Avenue and the Mokulele Highway (Highway 311). Once on the (virtually straight) highway, I was able to have my first experience of playing with the car's cruise control; it was very good for keeping to the speed limit! After a spell on one of Maui's very nice beaches, I drove further south to Wailea, along the Piilani Highway (Highway 31) and was able to really start getting used to controlling the car's cruising speed.

I returned to Wailuku by way of South and North Kihei Roads, and the Honoapiilani Highway (Highways 310 and 30 respectively), Wailuku itself, and arrived back at the hostel at 17:15.

Dinner was at the usual time of 19:00 and was fried chicken, coleslaw, mashed potato and corn. There was a hike planned for tomorrow morning, but I decided to stick to my plan of visiting Lahaina and beyond. Afterwards (at 21:15/08:15 tomorrow), I called the U.K. The leather art prints that I posted last Friday had arrived! Wow! That was quick!

Wednesday, 22 - Sep - 1993

I was up at 07:45 and after getting ready, washed my sleeping bag; which took an hour to complete. About an hour later, I drove up the Iao Valley again, for a photo shoot, but the weather wasn't good; it was overcast. Therefore, I drove to Lahaina (once the capital of Hawaii) along the Honoapilani Highway (Highway 30). It was a very nice road, alongside the ocean. There were surfers bobbing about in the waves.

Shortly after entering Lahaina, I turned left into Shaw Street. At the end, I turned right into Front Street. After driving its full length, I turned around and drove back into town to park and do a bit of sightseeing.

I visited the Hard Rock Cafe (that was located at 900 Front Street), and bought a sweat shirt for USD 25 (£16.34) to replace one that I had. Lahaina is a very nice town; not too busy, with some amazing beaches to the south of the town. While walking around, I treated myself to some pineapple ice cream - very nice!

I returned to the car and (at 14:00) headed north, passing through Napili and Kapalua. Shortly after, I reached the end of the road, as it was then!

The weather report (on the car's radio) mentioned heavy showers developing during the afternoon; my sleeping bag was still hanging on the line! By the time I had arrived back at the hostel, it had been raining, but fortunately, the washing was dry!


Photo HW-023

Photo HW-024

Photo HW-025

Photo HW-026

At 16:00, I headed off to the Maui Tropical Plantation. There wasn't a lot to see, but I did buy a Christmas present for my daughter; a pendant and matching earings, in Austrian crystal, for USD 23 (£15.03). Back at the hostel, I added my name to the dinner list; dinner wa vegetarian lasagne with a salad. I got talking to Fiona and Lucy (two new guests), who were on their way to Fiji in the next couple of days. I wish I was going that way! We talked about kava (being a mild narcotic), diving and snorkelling, and suggested they stay at the Travellers Beach Resort (Room 16!). I lent them my Fiji book and retired at 23:30.

Thursday, 23 - Sep - 1993

I got up at 08:15 and had breakfast at 08:45. I packed my bags (but left them at the hostel), handed in my room key (and got my USD 5.00 deposit back), and left at 10:30. After dropping two guys off at the airport, I drove to Waihee, Kimei, Wailea and Makena. The final area was very rugged, with a lot of volcanic ash. I came across the Intercontinental Hotel, surrounded by golf courses; an expensive looking area. The weather report mentioned the possibility of funnel clouds and water spouts. They would have been interesting to see!

Back at Wailuku, it had been raining. Feeling hungry, I bought myself a 6" Subway sandwich for USD 3.80 (£2.48); it was amazing! [I had no idea then that the Subway brand would spread across the globe!] At 15:00, my watch alarm went off, to remind me to get the car back to Budget. Thus I returned to the hostel to collect my bags and topped up the car before arriving at the Budget office at 15:45. The checking of the car for any damage was a farce; he didn't bother! In the time I had the car, I did a total of 492 miles. In no time at all, I was waiting for the shuttle bus to the airport terminal.

I had changed my return flight to HNL once already, but I was able to change it again; from 21:00 to 17:00. We departed in a tropical downpour. I guess the Hawaiian pilots were used to this type of weather. Due to the clear air turbulence (CAT in meterological terms), the flight was "arid and dry"; i.e., no food or drink! We arrived at a very wet O'ahu. The visibility was not good; it was misty, with turreted clouds; a sign of instability (from my days at the meterorological office (at Heathrow Airport))!

I made my way to the International building at 18:00. It was like a ghost town! There was no-one about and everything was shut! I imagined that the place would burst into life during the night, when the international flights arrive and depart, but in the meantime, I asked myself "How does one amuse oneself for approximately 12 hours at an airport"? I made myself comfortable and played with my Game Boy, scoring 34561 (Level 8) at Tetris! After a while, I began feeling hungry, so I went and found a food 'shop' that was open. I had a hamburger, chips and salad (with bun), cherry pie and 7 Up, for USD 11.00 (£7.19). At 21:15, I still had another 8 hours to wait! So it was more Tetris, but I was unable to beat that previous high score.


Previous (Fiji) Next (United States)

Click to reveal a Home Page QR Symbol