Grayhaired
Adventures
Adventures
Day 22: Honolulu, Hawaii – History, Nature, and a Dash of Amazon Adventure!
On day 22 of our 116-day world cruise, we arrived at the port of Honolulu, Hawaii bright and early at 7:00 a.m., with an impressive 11:00 p.m. departure time giving us the whole day to immerse ourselves in Oahu’s unique blend of history, nature, and city life.
Our day started with the Pearl Harbor History and Honolulu Highlights tour, lasting from 9:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. It was a bit dark when we first arrived in Honolulu, and rain showers fell later that morning. But just as the tour began, the skies cleared, and a stunning rainbow stretched across the sky—a fitting symbol for the beauty and resilience of Hawaii.
The view of the Aloha Tower from the cruise ship as we were docking at 6:33 a.m.
Morning has broken with these beautiful hues on Honolulu skies
Aloha kakahiaka
A beautiful rainbow greeted us (this was taken from our balcony) . . .
As we traveled from the cruise terminal to Pearl Harbor National Memorial (https://www.nps.gov/perl/planyourvisit/things2do.htm), our guide narrated interesting facts about the city. Along the way, he pointed out various historic buildings and notable trees unique to Honolulu, sharing tidbits about the Iolani Palace, Aliʻiōlani Hale, Chinatown, and the towering King Kamehameha Statue, as well as the lush, tropical foliage lining the streets. Though we didn’t stop at these places yet, his stories helped paint a vibrant picture of the city’s rich culture and history.
At Pearl Harbor, the mood shifted to solemn reflection. Standing there, you truly grasp the magnitude of the events of December 7, 1941—the lives lost felt incomprehensible, and deeply heartbreaking. This feeling intensified when we boarded a boat to visit the USS Arizona Memorial (https://www.nps.gov/perl/uss-arizona-memorial-programs.htm), the stark white structure stretching above the sunken ship, still visible beneath the water’s surface. The wall inscribed with the names of over 1,100 sailors and Marines serves as a poignant reminder of their sacrifice. Oil droplets, nicknamed “black tears,” continue to rise from the ship—a haunting image I won’t soon forget.
The USS Arizona Memorial
Next, our guide drove us up to the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout (https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oahu/nuuanu-pali-state-wayside/), one of Oahu’s most breathtaking spots. The drive itself was mesmerizing—lush mountains, valleys, and greenery unfolded at every turn. The Pali Lookout offers sweeping views of the Koolau cliffs, the windward coast, and the towns below. Historically, this site is significant as the location of the Battle of Nuʻuanu in 1795 (https://www.pacificworlds.com/nuuanu/native/native2.cfm), where King Kamehameha I won a decisive victory, unifying the Hawaiian Islands. The powerful wind gusts up there seemed to echo the dramatic history of the place. For any nature lover, this part of Hawaii is a true haven.
On the way back, our guide brought us past several iconic landmarks. We had a closer look at the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States, once home to Hawaii’s monarchy. Right nearby, we saw the Aliʻiōlani Hale, famous for its impressive architecture and the gold-leafed King Kamehameha Statue standing proudly in front.
After the tour, we made our way back to the cruise ship—but not to relax just yet. We had some Amazon orders to pick up, expecting them at an Amazon locker. Much to our surprise, they were delivered instead to Amazon’s central delivery station—a massive 600,000-square-foot facility! Since it was a quiet Sunday, the parking lot was nearly empty, and our taxi driver circled around trying to find an open entrance. When we finally located the main office, two very kind gentlemen initially told us no customer deliveries are ever sent there. But after Walter showed them the order number—and mentioned a “Mark” had signed for the delivery—one gentleman ventured into the warehouse and, incredibly, returned with our two packages! They both swore this was a first for them… and for us!
Our Honolulu adventure wasn’t over yet. After dropping Walter off at the ship, I made a quick dash to the enormous Ala Moana Center—the largest open-air shopping mall in the world—to buy him a few formal shirts. Let me tell you, there’s no way 30 minutes is enough for a woman to go shopping in a mall that size! But somehow, mission accomplished, and I hustled back to the ship just in time to prepare for dinner.
That evening, we attended a Ka Moana Luau at the iconic Aloha Tower. The dinner featured a mouthwatering Hawaiian feast: kalua pork, fresh island fish, chicken teriyaki, poi, lomi lomi salmon, poke, tropical fruits, and, of course, haupia for dessert. The dancers entertained us with traditional hula, fire dancing, and chants. However, true to the unpredictable Hawaiian weather, a heavy downpour interrupted the festivities. Even drenched, we couldn’t help but be swept up in the energy and beauty of the night.
It was a non-stop action-packed day in Honolulu, filled with history, breathtaking scenery, unexpected adventures, shopping sprints, and rain-soaked dances. Every moment enriched our experience, leaving us with stories we’ll cherish forever.
A HUI HOU, HONOLULU!!!