Cruising the Hawaiian Islands

The Pride of America cruises the Hawaiian Islands all-year round; embarking from Honolulu on a Saturday evening and stopping at Maui for two nights, Hawaii (The Big Island) for two nights (Hilo and Kona) and Kauai (Lihue) for one night. The other two nights are spent cruising the Pacific Ocean. On the way back to Honolulu the ship takes a detour to showcase the spectacular Na Pali Coast. Below are a few photos I took on our recent trip (when I remembered to pack my camera for the day).

Maui

We took a scenic bus trip to the beautiful town of Lahaina. Stores of well-known brands such as Patagonia and Lush and waterfront restaurants stretched along the main street from the Banyan tree to the small outlet mall. We had lunch at Lahaina Fish Co, just a few doors down from Kimo's Restaurant. I had the MahiMahi fish plate - cajun seared over brown rice topped with tropical salsa and balsamic drizzle.

Banyan Tree, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

 

View from the Lahaina coastal walkway - puppies playing fetch

Walkway along the volcanic coast, Lahaina, Maui, HI

 Locals crammed into the back of their ute, Lahaina, Maui, HI

 

Hawaii, The Big Island

It was a bleak morning the day we arrived at the Port of Hilo. Thick cloud blanketed the hills and together with the lava landscape the atmosphere was dark and eerie. We were soon to learn about Pele, the goddess of Hawaii's volcanoes.

The view from the ship's balcony, arriving at the Port of Hilo, The Big Island, HI

Lava rocks along the coastline, Hilo, Hawaii

 

The work of Pele - A lava mound with the imprint of a tree inside

 

Walking on lava - Hilo, Big Island, HI

After the lava tree mounds we visited a lava beach - nothing like the golden beaches of Queensland, Australia - they were lava grey and very pebbly (it couldn't be called sand by any stretch). But the sun did finally shine as we arrived at this beach and it was very tempting to take a couple of the smaller pebbles for keepsakes. Our guide convinced us that it would not be wise to do so; it would likely make Pele angry. She recounted stories of the bad luck that fell on such hapless visitors who dared to remove what Pele had created. I have a little anecdote of my own to add to the Pele stories: we took the lead on this trek to the beach because a young boy had been stung by a bee and needed the guide's assistance. As we arrived at the edge of the ocean I spotted what I thought was a shiny piece of blue paper...the only made-made object on the beach. It was a very light-weight poncho still in it's packaging. I felt the warmth of Pele shining on me and accepted it as a gift.  I was very glad that I didn't disappoint her by taking a tiny pebble as a souvenir.

On our night cruise to Kona, we were treated to the spectacular coastal scene of intense heat and steam caused by hot lava mixing with the sea water - Kilaeua.  Pele was putting on a show for us. We were too far away from the site for a decent photo but there is a picture in my pinterest folder, Take me there.

Since it was cold and rainy for most of the time we were docked at Hilo, we were heartened to learn that our next stop, Kona, was sure to be sunny and warm. We were also excited by the fact that tenders (small orange boats carried on our ship) would be ferrying us across to the shore because there was no place to dock a cruise ship at Kona harbor.

 

Sunrise - arriving Kona, Big Island, HI

Tender boats ready to serve

View of Kona through the front window of the tender

View from Kona foreshores - searching for a cup of Kona coffee

Pride of America anchored and waiting for our return

Kauai

The sound of a rooster greeted us as we docked at the port of Nawiliwili (near Lihue), Kauai. It kept crowing. Later we realised that there was more than one rooster. In fact there were many chickens and roosters free ranging across the island; they had escaped during a hurricane. We also learned that the underground sport of cock fighting was alive and well on Kauai.

Kauai had several attractions for us. There was a beautiful beach in walking distance from the port with a Duke's barefoot bar close by. There was a well-stocked yarn shop called Twisted Turtles across the road from Dukes in Lihue. While there were plenty of natural wonders to explore on Kauai we chose the Wailua river boat ride to the Wailua Falls and Fern Grotto. Next cruise we'll do the Waimea Canyon.

Wailua River cruise

Ginger plant with pink flowers, Wailua River State Park, Kauai

  

Fern Grotto (Cave), Wailua River State Park, Kauai

  

At the viewing deck - Fern Grotto, Wailua River State Park, Kauai

 

The beach at Lihue, Kauai - sailboards, canoes, volley ball

The view from Dukes Barefoot Bar, Lihue, Kauai

  

Leaving Nawiliwili Port, Kauai

 

Flashing my new Kauai T-shirt - Deck 11, Aft, Aloha Lanai Bar

 Honolulu

On the way back to Honolulu we did a detour to the majestic Na Pali Coast. We viewed it from the Gold Rush Saloon, Deck 11, mid,  as we toasted the Pride of America for taking us on a most amazing journey. We were sad the cruise would soon be over but we were excited about spending a few more days in Waikiki before heading home to Brisbane, Australia.

Just one more magnificent sunset on Waikiki Beach, Oahu, HI

Oahu revisited - beach holiday Hawaiian style

Direct flights on Hawaiian Airlines from Brisbane to Honolulu now make Hawaii a very accessible holiday destination for Queensland families. There is no place quite like Hawaii for the ultimate relaxing holiday experience.

Waikiki Beach viewed from Duke's Bar with Diamond Head in the distance

Waikiki Beach viewed from our balcony at the Circle Hotel

 

Lu'au at Paradise Cove

 

The SWIM bar at Waikiki's Hyatt Regency (very close to the Circle Hotel) hosts live music at happy hour - this is ManoaDNA playing their originals and covers

Oahu Locals, Honolulu

King Kamehameha was the first warrior to unite all the Hawaiian Islands. There is a state holiday in June for King Kamehameha Day...when dozens of 30-foot leis are draped from this statue.


Curyn and Joseph create delicious meals at Ruffage, a natural foods store specialising in healthy sandwiches, smoothies, soups and salads. They have daily Vegetarian and Vegan specials. We couldn't get enough of their yummy food. Ruffage is located on 2443 Kuhio Avenue Honolulu. We discovered them in the Rough Guide Directions, Honolulu & Oahu.


Sue has a yarn store, Isle Knit, in the heart of Honolulu. She has a wide variety of wonderful crochet and knitting yarns. I couldn't resist the 100% sugar cane yarn hand dyed in soft variegated blues, greens and neutrals. I was pleased to find my favourite brand and style of crochet hook....Clover soft touch.

I discovered an excellent pattern book called Mondo Valeria. With a 5.5 mm crochet hook and my Araucania sugar cane yarn I embarked on no. 32, a lacy summer shawl. I finished it when I returned to Australia.


It's always a delight to find exquisite yarns and patterns when I travel. Isle Knit is located at 1188 Bishop St, Suite 1403 Honolulu.


Barack Obama, 44th President of the USA, was born in Honolulu on August 4, 1961. Obamaland by Ron Jacobs lets you follow in "Barry's" footsteps. The O-Zones of Oahu are Makiki, Manoa, Waikiki, Downtown, Windward and Northshore/Leeward.

I bought my collector's edition of Obamaland from Butigroove. The store is on Pi'ikoi Street, not far from the Ala Moana shopping center. Butigroove is a musically driven Hawaiian clothing label - representing positive movement influenced by all things musical.

For convenience you can buy your copy of Obamaland online from Butigroove.


A four-legged local. This loyal, local hound is waiting for his master at Dukes, a very popular watering hole right on the beach at Waikiki.

Diamond Head, Waikiki

The extinct crater, Diamond Head, is a distinctive landmark of Honolulu located on the edge of Waikiki Beach.

Looking back across the beach to Diamond Head at sunset.

Waikiki Beach, Oahu

This is the 5-star view from our 3-star hotel on Waikiki. The Waikiki Circle Hotel is located in the middle of all that is wonderful on Waikiki Beach....food, shopping, sunshine, sand and surf.

February is a winter month in Hawaii so there was rain and cloud from time to time but the temperature stayed steady. Highs at 28 degrees (C) and lows at 18-19 degrees (C).

Swimming, sailing and surfing are the key beach activities. Many people take their first surfboard ride on gentle waves at Waikiki.