Hawaii Day 6- Hanauma Bay

On Saturday the 31st we went to Hanauma Bay. It's a well known nature preserve that has great snorkeling. This is a place that everyone who visits Oahu should see. We went snorkeling twice exploring the left side and the middle of the bay. The kids had fun naming all the fish they saw. Steven wanted to go out a third time but Adam and Sarah wanted to relax on the beach. The explored the right side of the beach which was apparently where all the coolest stuff was. They saw starfish, eels and many fish we didn't see on our other times out. 

I may not have seen the starfish or eels but I left with a really "good" sunburn. :) Apparently two coats of sunblock isn't enough when I'm floating face down in the water.

Hawaii day 5- Pearl Harbor and surfing

Visiting Pearl Harbor was an experience we didn't want to miss. We took a ferry to the USS Arizona Memorial. I was worried the kids wouldn't appreciate, but Sarah and Steven did. It was a very sobering experience. We found out late that military members and their families can take a special tour to see some restricted sites, like Ford Island, but they are booked out a couple months in advance. 

After Pearl Harbor we went back to the hotel, borrowed a surf board and the kids tried surfing. They both did well. Sarah was more timid, but she got up on her knees. Steven was able to stand up after a few tried. Mike would stand behind them and give them a little push when a good wave came along.

Adam didn't want to try out the surf board until the very end, (and then he insisted I push him, thus forcing me to get in the water) ;) so he and I had fun looking at all the rock crabs. 

 Since it was getting late we decided to stay and watch the sun set. It was a beautiful site. I don't think cameras ever do the sky justice. (especially not phone cameras)

Hawaii Day 4- Fun at the beach

On our 4th day we didn't have anything big planned, so we just enjoyed ourselves at the beach. We borrow boogie boards from the hotel and the kids tried to catch some waves. Adam didn't like the big waves so he and I stayed in the mellow swimming beach. 

Sarah as The Little Mermaid, complete with a visit from Scuttle

Sarah as Merida. She even has the look of defiance down.

Adam not only wanted to be a mermaid, but he insisted on having "apple" boobs. (You can see the small green sand toy on the right) He's such a goofy kid. 

Hawaii Day 3- Turtle Beach and Polynesian Cultural Center

On Wednesday the main event was the Polynesian Cultural Center. Here are Mike and the kids in the hotel lobby. On Tuesday, while Mike was working, the kids and I went shopping. Sarah spent her own money to buy her dress, flower and jewelry. The boys used their money to buy shark necklaces. When we went to Maui in 2007 Mike bought he and Sarah matching outfits, so Sarah insisted I buy him a shirt to match her dress. I think they look adorable together. :)

On the way we decided to stop off at "Turtle/Laniakea beach" which is not Turtle Bay. It's a beach famous for turtles swimming with the tide. We did see one turtle there that was "surfing."

We hadn't anticipated the kids getting in the water, because we were only planning to see turtles. Dumb on our part. Of COURSE the kids were going to get wet if they were near water. The boys quickly began shedding clothing. Steven was a little more private, but Adam had no problem going au natural. 

After backtracking to Walmart for new underwear and shorts, we made our way to the Cultural Center. They had "villages" representing the different Polynesia islands like Tonga, Samoa, Tahiti, Fiji, Hawaii and a couple others. My kids really liked Tahiti because they got tatoos that represented warriors and royalty. 

The kids had to try really hard to avoid the hot lava

After the Luau there has a wonderful production called, "Ha: Breath of Life". It didn't start until 7:30, which was 10:30 Utah time, so Adam passed out a few minutes into it. I tried to wake him up for the fire dancers but he was out. Visiting the PCC has inspired Sarah to attend BYU Hawaii when she grows up. We'll just keep letting her think we'll let her go to school out of state. ;)