Hawaii: Part 4 -- Polynesian Cultural Center

From the moment we decided to go to Hawaii, we knew that a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center was definitely something we wanted to make happen, so this was a day that essentially planned itself.   It took us a while to firm up our exact dates, so we were lucky that tickets were still available, but lucky we were and we were happy to spend the day there!   Because visiting the PCC is an all afternoon/evening experience, we decided to have a {mostly} chill morning at the AirBnb.  

Here are all the details: 


THURSDAY, MAY 26

• Glen's morning was decidedly NOT chill with a bunch of work calls starting at 3:30am! 😐

• The girls did yoga and the boys played Magic:  The Gathering.  Lucie just looked adorable. 

• • Pineapple candy taste test --this one was fun and very Hawaiian! 
  
  
  
  
• We decided to head out a little early and start with a quick walk around BYU Hawaii, which happens to be right next door to the PCC.  Ellie pretty much decided it's her dream school and she will definitely be putting in an application there next school year.

• Polynesian Cultural Center!   We had a great time learning more about the traditions and cultures of the countries of Polynesia.  It's surprisingly high quality in every way...the buildings, the props, the help, the food, and especially the entertainment mostly done by students at BYU-Hawaii.  

• In the evening, the shows close down for dinner time.   We got the lesser quality dinner at the Gateway Buffet (because the tickets for the higher quality one were sold out)  and we were still  extremely impressed.  It was delicious and I highly recommend it to anyone coming to the PCC.
  
  
  
  
• After dinner we decided to take a quick tram tour with the sister missionaries to see temple.  We were heading back there in the morning, but loved visiting the Visitors' Center and hearing more about it from the missionaries.  

• Ha—Breath of Life show:  This show is the finale for a day at the PCC.   I frankly was quite tired at this point and would have preferred to be in bed, but the fire twirling, traditional dances, and the exhibition of all the Polynesian cultures was quick paced and engaging.  
  

Photo credit:  Go Hawaii

It was another successful day in Hawaii!  

Our 50th State: Hawaii (Part 1)

I grew up in a family with a bit of wanderlust.   My dad, in particular,  really wanted us kids to see more of the world than  what was right around us.  We did zigzagging roadtrips across the country and when I was 14 he made a trip to Europe happen for our family.   During my childhood, I was able to visit 48 states and several countries.  State #49 (Hawaii) happened when I was in college and state #50 (Alaska) finally happened in 2017 ( more on that trip below).   

I'm  not as much a wanderer as some of my siblings who have been to well over 50 countries (and in my brother Nate's case, more like 80), but I definitely inherited the desire to explore new places.   We did a lot of the same kinds of zigzagging road trips across the country with our family over the years and once the kids were a little older have taken them to see more of  the world as well!   

One day several years ago, I decided to tally up the states and countries we had visited together.  I created a spreadsheet and still update it every time we visit a new place.  That was when we figured out how close we were to visiting 50 states together in our family.   That was also when we planned our spring break trip to the Deep South to knock off a few states for Glen and the kids and Alaska a couple months after that.  That trip to Alaska got Glen, Spencer,  and I to 50 states. 

But Hawaii remained elusive.  

We had gone to Alaska while Cami was on her mission (something she's a little sad about), so we decided to try and visit Hawaii with everyone.   The difficulty with that requirement meant that we were  working around Emma's and Adam's missions, Garrett's medical school schedule, Cami's nursing school schedule, Adam's BYU schedule, Ellie's high school schedule, and Glen's work demands.  Oh, and let's not forget that there was a worldwide pandemic thrown in there too.   

Finally....after a lot of back and forth on the dates that would work for everyone....we made it happen!   Now everyone but Cami, Garrett, and Lucie have been to all 50 states!    

I am still very much in recovery mode from traveling, so I don't have it in me to blog poetically, but I also really want to make sure this all gets written down while it's still fresh, so these posts will be simple recaps of each day we were in Hawaii--with lots of  photos, of course.   😀

 

MONDAY, MAY 23

• Left home around 3:30am--SLC- LV - SD - HNL -- For the record, San Diego airport is terrible and you have to leave security just to transfer to another gate.   That meant disposing of all our liquids again and waiting in longish security lines between flights.  We weren't impressed.
  
  
• What I read on the plane:   "Cured:   The Life-Changing Science of Spontaneous Healing" by Jeffrey Rediger, MD.   It's a fascinating book looking at some of the weaknesses of modern medicine's focus on treating symptoms and disease, rather than on prevention and healing. Highly recommend!   
  
  
• Arrived to Honolulu around 12:00pm, got our luggage, rented cars, drove to get lunch (Off the Hook Poke and a nearby ramen place for the anti-raw fish among us)

• Lyon Arboretum —short walk enjoying the beautiful and unique trees and flowers

• Walmart for groceries.  We tried really hard not to choke over the high prices of everything in Hawaii...even in Walmart!  

• Checked into Airbnb...this was the view off our back porch

• Chill night with some people playing pickle ball, a few who went to beach, we all played a family game

• Did a taste test of Hawaiian sour gummies with li hang mui powder, gummies were okay, do not recommend the powder  (planned by Emma)

• Went to bed early and very exhausted! 

Hawaii: Part 2--a day of hikes

We had each kid help plan a day of this trip.  This was partially done to help my relieve my stress level, but ultimately it ended up being a great way to make sure we got a variety of types of activities.  If one day's activities and food didn't suit your tastes, then you got to make your day exactly the way you wanted it!   It honestly was brilliant and I wished I'd thought of it before earlier trips.   It took a lot of the pressure off me trying to plan things to make everyone happy and I loved that the kids were good sports and never complained if something wasn't their favorite.   We are definitely doing this again for future trips!  

 Day #2 was planned by Cami and Garrett...and I hear Lucie may have helped a little too.  It included a sunrise hike, that involved getting up well before the crack of dawn, so we figured we may as well make this our first full day in Hawaii while our bodies were still confused about what time it is.   Spending sunrise and sunset on the beach was pretty awesome!  See below for Day #2's fun:   

TUESDAY, MAY 24

• Rolled out of bed at 4:30am.  Hawaii is 4 hours behind Utah time, so it wasn't as hard as it could have been.  However, we'd awakened at 3:00am the previous morning to catch our flight to Hawaii, so we were pretty exhausted! 

• Drove to Turtle Bay Hilton and hiked to Kahuku Point  (about 1-1/2 miles or so)

• Watched the sunrise
  
  
  
  
  
  

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•  After the sun rose, we just enjoyed being on an empty beach together, even if it was filled with sharp rocks that made nervous. 
  
  
  
  
  
• A few of the kiddos discovered some tide pools and started finding all sorts of great little critters.   Adam was totally in his happy place at those tide pools! 

• After thoroughly enjoying our first taste of a Hawaiian beach all together, we headed back to house to grab some breakfast

• Drove to Diamond Head State Park -- the hike wasn't that exciting, but there were lots of stairs and spectacular views overlooking Honolulu and the Pacific Ocean at the top.

• Eat lunch at Koko’s Northshore (great pork)  and shopped for souvenirs

• Hike to Manoa Falls (1.6 miles RT, rocky trail, sometimes muddy, elevation gain, but not too bad)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Dave’s Ice Cream at Rainbow Country—we had read good reviews for this place, but were a little surprised and disappointed to find it located inside of a convenience market (hence all the liquor signs behind us). 😂 The ice cream was a little above average, but nothing special.  
  
  

• After those adventures, we headed back to the house for a bit,  packed up our dinner and had a picnic at Waimea Bay Beach Park.  We just chilled there at the beach, watched the sun set, and then watched as someone brazenly was breaking into someone's car right in front of us.  (We called the cops, but didn't confront him).  For the record, Lucie likes Hawaii!  

• After a long day of 3 hikes and watching the sun rise and set, we were happy to head back to the house for showers and a gummy worm taste test planned by Cami and Ellie
  
  
• Thanks for planning an awesome day, Garrett, Cami, and Lucie! 

Hawaii: Part 5--The Temple and Family Photos

Today was another day that mostly planned itself.  We started the day taking Adam through the temple and ended the day with a family photo shoot.   The in-between stuff was just iconic Hawaii things to do.  Here's a recap.  

 FRIDAY MAY 27

• We went to the 7:30am session at the Laie Temple for Adam to receive his own endowments.   It was absolutely wonderful to be in the temple with 3/5 of our kids + Garrett and what a great memory to be able to do it in Hawaii!  

Glen and Adam arrived a little early to take care of the  prep stuff....

And the rest of us arrived a little later.  Lucie stayed back with Spence and Ellie.  

What a wonderful day! 

• We stopped at Ted’s Bakery on the way home for some yummy breakfast (for everyone but me)

• We all changed into casual clothes, ate breakfast, and headed to the Dole Pineapple Plantation

• Dole Pineapple Plantation —Okay, so we heard that this was an iconic Hawaiian thing to do, but, alas, it was not really worth the hype if you ask me!  The idea of it is cool, but they've made it way too touristy.  The garden and maze are way overblown and expensive.  The train ride was slow paced, but reasonably interesting.  As per usual Goold style, we thoroughly enjoyed the dole whips.  😛

• After the D.P.P. we went and got a late lunch at Hawaii’s Best Taco Truck 🌮 that was set up in a parking lot not too far from our Airbnb.  Alas, we were disappointed as the lines were super long and way overpriced for very decent, but not great food. 

• As soon as this trip to Hawaii started coming together, I  felt passionately that we needed to hire a professional photographer to take our pictures while we were there.  After all, it's not too often that our whole family is all together (especially with another kid heading out on a mission again soon) and we didn't want to miss a prime opportunity.   We did some research and hired one that came highly recommended.   Sadly though, it was cloudy and windy during our photo session and I didn't love how they turned out.  I may have even shed a few tears (not happy ones) when she sent us the "sneak peek", though I've come around a little since then.  My plan is to do some photoshopping eventually....when life slows down a little {more on that later}.     

Clouds and wind did nothing dampen Lucie's cuteness!  

• After the pictures, we hunkered down in the car, slipped into our swimsuits, and boogie boarded and swam at Pounders Beach.  Not surprisingly, the surf was a little rough, but that didn't stop  everyone from having a fun time.  

I was happy to stay on Lucie duty while everyone else swam! 

• Once we were all beached out, we headed back to the Airbnb, where Adam made some GF cookies and we taste tested some Hawaiian brand ice cream--that happen to be quite tasty!