Hawaii - Day 1

We went to bed just after 8 last night and slept till 2:30, so that’s not bad. We’ll go a little later each day until we make it to normal.

I mapped out an itinerary for us while Matt had to wrap up a few things on account of leaving a day early. Then I napped while he worked. It was a good nap too, full of dreams. 

Anywho, I got up at 6 and loaded the car while Matt fought with his work email trying to send his report. This was the view right outside our room. 

And our cute little Navy room. Simple and perfect. 

Also these giant trees everywhere! I die!

Sorry not sorry for all the landscape pictures, I am just loving everything about this place. 

Our first activity of the day was to hike to the Makapuu lighthouse. 

I had wanted to see the sunrise, but that’s okay. 

Look at how cute she is!

I’ve only ever looked down on one lighthouse before and that was in Oregon, so this was really something. 

There was a trail leading out to her but it was closed. Boooo. 

We spotted humpback whale spouts but they never breached. 

One more from the top for good measure. 



We went to Koa Pancake House and shared an omelet and giant stack of macadamia nut pancakes and guava juice. It was delicious!

Our next activity was to snorkel Hanauma Bay, but turns out they are closed mondays and tuesdays. 

Matt thought we might be able to snorkel in this little cove we found, but since the sign at the top of the trail said “danger - keep out,” I didn’t feel good about it. 

So we changed plans and did some sightseeing in Honolulu. 

This is the Aloha Tower that used to be a lighthouse. They have an observation deck on the 10th floor, but unfortunately that has been closed for awhile.  



We walked over to the Ilona Palace where the kings used to live. 

These trees are so incredible b how their roots intertwine with each other. 

We walked to the Supreme Court building and toured around. 

Tons of cool hawaii history. 

Meanwhile, St. Mary’s is getting hammered with snow and Delaney is channeling her tropical parents. She’s nuts. 

I will most likely stop taking pictures in bathrooms soon, but I can’t promise. I love that they offer free feminine hygiene products and I wish everywhere did the same. 

Our last adventure before heading to our cabanas was Punchbowl Crater National Cemetery. 

It was beautiful and peaceful and they had tons of amazing graphics all about the US military history. They had this amazing lookout too. 

I searched through all my military accommodations for a place to stay, but the hotel I really wanted didn’t have any availability, so then I found these super cheap cabanas. It’s basically like glamping because we don’t have a private bathroom (though the communal bathrooms were very clean) and it’s pretty bare bones. Standing in one spot, our humble little row of cabanas. 

And from that same spot, beautiful ocean. I’ll take it!

We got settled in and headed to the temple! On our way we saw the Chinamans hat.   

We hit up a cute little food truck park right near the temple and got a delicoisn bulgogi plate, curry meat pie and 2 yummy drinks! So happy!

And then this - ❤️❤️❤️

Being in any temple is special, but worshipping in a temple you’ve seen your whole life is something else. 

It’s a lot smaller than we thought it would be, but just beautiful. The whole day, just beautiful. 

We made friends with a nice couple from Utah and they offered to take our picture, so obviously. 

Magical. 

We went back to the food truck park in search of shave ice but it was closed so we settled for fruit ice cream and it was delicious. 

Then, as we sat there eating our ice cream, we saw Michlyn Hays coming out of the PCC! Funniest thing to run into a Maryland friend. 

This place is more beautiful than i even thought it could be and I am loving every minute.