7.26.21
On Kauai we couldn’t rent a car at all. We saw people driving around Uhaul trucks because rental cars weren’t available! On Oahu, we could get a car, but it was going to cost us over $1,000 per week! We didn’t really have a choice, so we reserved it. But then we found out that Ging and Damian were going to be out of town in Seattle for most of the week, so Billy offered to let us use her van. And then BJ and Nalani asked if we needed a car and so did Monte. It’s nice to have such giving friends there!
Makai thought these guys were dabbing in this photo in the Honolulu airport.
Billy picked us up at the airport in Ging’s van. He drove us to his office and then we drove over to our Air BNB. We were renting a place to stay at the Waikiki Banyan in Honolulu for a few nights. Staying in Honolulu was a central location to see a few people we wanted to meet up with.
We stayed at the Waikiki Banyan, condo #2311.
Our unit was really nice. It had been recently remodeled. The lobby of the Banyan was really nice too. It was just the elevators and hallways that were very dated and run down.
We liked this unit because there were two beds in the bedroom and you could close the door if you wanted.
We had a cute little lanai with a view of the city and mountains. If one building wasn’t there we’d have been able to see Diamond Head.
When we looked down from the lanai, we could see the pool deck with two saunas. For some reason the playground was closed.
We were staying in the Makai tower. The other tower, of course, was the Mauka tower.
We quickly realized we were in a pinch again for dinner. I tried to call Tokkuri Tei izakaya but there was no answer. We called Sidestreet again and then walked over. Tokkuri Tei was across the street so I stopped in there while Makai and Dallas kept walking. TT was a madhouse. No walk ins. Lines even with reservations. I told them I tried to call and there was no answer and they were just like “yes, we’re busy.”
When I caught up with Dallas and Makai at Sidestreet, there was an hour wait. We decided to wait because we didn’t know what else our options were. Luckily it was only about a 20 minute wait. Makai had popcorn chicken and fries.
Dallas and I split the Signature Garlic Chicken and Yakisoba.
Makai was excited that we also got dessert!
On the way back to our condo we walked along the Ala Wai canal, which was really beautiful. Makai and I went to ABC Store to get waters and somethings for the room. Note here that my heel was starting to hurt.
7.27.21Makai saw some crazy roots on a tree the day before, so we made sure to walk to one of the bayans in Waikiki and show him just how crazy those roots can be!
We were walking to the Queen Kapiolani Hotel to meet Quincy and Kiki for breakfast at Deck. The restaurant was located on the pool deck and had a great view of Diamond Head. Carly, Quincy’s girlfriend who is a nurse, also joined us. Uncle Bob and Aunty Helen were golfing and Kala was working and couldn’t get away. We gave Quincy the flag from his grandpa and grandma’s house.
I had the acai bowl.
What the deck is really known for are their Tokyo-style souffle pancakes.
The waitress took our photo in front of Diamond Head. Quincy, Carly, Kiki, me, Makai, Dallas
We were thinking of going to the Honolulu Zoo because it was across the street from the hotel, but Makai said he just wanted to go swimming. Good thing because when we came out of the hotel the line for the zo was sooooooooooooooo long. On the walk back to our condo we passed a gift shop called Makai.
We swam in the pool for 2 hours and we were the only ones there, aside from this older man who was just sunbathing!
Swimming makes Makai thirsty!
When in Waikiki, you have to visit Duke!
We wanted to visit the large Quiksilver store in Waikiki and checked the map to make sure it was still there. And when we walked to the spot. It was not there.. even though it was on the map! So we figured out the new location (smaller!) and went there. At Honolua Surf Makai got a new cap. Dallas actually was kind of looking at it, but Makai claimed it in red!
Makai was soo tired from swimming so hard that Dallas walked him back to the hotel and I continued shopping around. Dallas did let him stop once at Dylan’s Candy Bar. I got coffee and a sandwich at Kai Coffee and headed back to the condo. I heated up leftovers for Makai for lunch. And we all rested a bit.
We drove to Kaka’ako for dinner and we came out into all this art and murals everywhere. It was so cool!
We went to Highway Inn to meet cousin Vivian for dinner. Her family had colds so they did not join us.
They specialize i Hawaiian cuisine. I had laul lau, salad with lilikoi dressing, purple sweet potatoes, rice and haupia.
Dallas had kalua pig, chicken long rice, lau lau, squid luau, lomi salmon, purple sweet potato and rice.
Me, Vivian, Dallas, Makai
Walking around Kaka’ako at night. We thought it was strange that there wasn’t a desserts or ice cream shop around that area where there were a bunch of restaurants. We were tired so we just went home and went to bed!
7.28.21
Makai and I got up early to go to Kai Coffee, the best coffee in Waikiki, but the line was already SOOOO long. Like 30 people already. So we got Starbucks and ate at the beach.
After breakfast we went to the beach for an hour and then to the pool for an hour.
We had lunch reservations at Hula Grill. Since Monty works at the Royal Hawaiian, not too far away, we invited him to join us for lunch. I didn’t get a photo of us! Only of my mai tai! After lunch Makai and Dallas went back to our room to rest. My foot was really hurting bad so I looked around to see if there was any place to buy shoes. I could only find the crocs store, so I bought some new cushy shoes there.
In the afternoon we had reservations to go to the Bishop Museum. It’s important that Makai keep learning about Hawaiian culture and history. The game changer now is that he can read about it himself!
One of the exhibits shows the phases of the moon and one phase is Mahealani!
The special exhibit was so cool! POW! WOW! The First Decade: From Hawai?i to the World showcased some of the most notable Hawai’i-based artists, international street artists, and sculptors.
We also explored a science building that none of us had ever been in.
My foot was really really hurting by now from all the walking around. I sat down outside the science building for a break. Makai wanted to see the special exhibit again and took off running to see it, so off we went. The funny thing is that he didn’t notice earlier that each art piece had the name of the artist displayed and he wanted to go back and read them!
For dinner we had a reservation at Scratch Kitchen in Ward Center. It was SO good. We loved everything we had. Towards the end of dinner Makai was getting so tired from the beach and swimming and the museum, he asked to go home. We asked him to wait. When the waiter came back to our table Makai went ahead and asked him if we could get the check!
Oh also, there was a tsunami watch, but nothing came of it.
- June 24 – 27: Dropping Makai off in Arizona
- June 28 – July 18: Kauai Cousins: Makai, Grace + Niko
- July 17 – 19: Celebrating 10 Years at The Royal Hawaiian
- July 19 – 26: Kauai in July
- July 26 – 29: Honolulu
- July 29 – Aug 2: Waimanalo Friends
- July 17 – Aug 2: KC on Vacation