Hawaii Vacation Day 7

Today was Sunday.  We got up early and got ready for church long before we "needed to," so that we had time to made the drive back up to the Pali lookout - with the hope that we would get a good view this time.

 

It was beautiful, and historical, as this is the site where King Kamehameha I defeated Oahu's defending army and united the Hawaiian Islands as one. If you are interested in the history, enlarge the next photo and you can read about what happened here.

 Because you are standing above these huge cliffs, the views were amazing.  We were glad we made the drive back out.

  We drove back to Honolulu and still had just under an hour before church started, so we drove to see the statue of King Kamehameha and the Iolani Palace. 

King Kamehameha statue

Iolani Palace

The Iolani Palace is the only royal palace on US soil that was used as an official residence by a reigning monarch.  We had hoped to be able to tour the palace,  but we didn't have time to get there during business hours during the week, and the palace wasn't open for tours on Sunday, so we just walked around the grounds and took some pictures of the exterior.  (guess we'll  have to make sure we visit there on our NEXT trip, eh?)

Iolani Palace again, in the background.  The Gazebo on our right is where they held the coronation ceremonies

 We got to church to find that we were meeting in the historic Honolulu tabernacle.  What an BEAUTIFUL building!!!!  It was designed by the same architect that designed the Laie Temple.  The tower/steeple of the tabernacle was one of the highest points in Honolulu, second only to the Aloha tower, and it has a beacon light in the tower.  During the war, the pilots would use the beacon to help guide them in to Pearl Harbor.  

 

 There was a beautiful courtyard in the center, (see photo below) with all the classrooms, cultural hall, and offices built around it.  It was a little challenging to find where we were supposed to go for Sunday School, but we eventually got to the right room.  It was really beautiful!  I would TOTALLY  love to meet every Sunday in this building.  (Except if the lessons were too boring, I be super tempted to wander out and just sit under the Plumeria tree in the courtyard.  

This is the center courtyard...from where this picture was taken, chapel is straight ahead, cultural hall 1 (they have 2) is to the right, bishops office, clerks office, etc are to the left, and the primary room, library, and a couple of smaller class rooms are behind me.

this is the clerks office.  Since that is where Tim spends his "calling time" I took a picture.

The rest of our Sunday was pretty laid back,  ending with a lovely “Sunset Dinner Cruise” on the "star of Honolulu.  (we had pre-paid it, so it was nice to be able to go through the Sabbath and not spend any money.  (felt like we were at least trying to keeping the Sabbath Day holy; vacation style...)

Enjoying my "welcome aboard" Mai Tai (the non-alcoholic version, of course!)

Tim was part of the dinner entertainment.  (i was just trying to keep my feet (and stomach) under control,  so no hula for me

On the ship, just leaving the harbor - with the Aloha Tower in the background

yummy dinner... and I just have to say, while i don't like Poi, I really like the purplish Taro Rolls!

Today was also Halloween, and apparently in HI. they go NUTS with it.  (and it is NOT “G” rated!)  They closed off some of the streets in Waikiki and the people dress up in their costumes (or lack there-of) and just wander up and down the streets partying.  I had taken a Dramamine to  help me get through the cruise, so when we got home from the cruise, I took a quick soak in the hotel hot tub, then promptly fell asleep.  Poor Tim said that he heard the partying down on the street (screaming, yelling, etc...) going on until after 3 am, but I slept through it all.

LUCKY ME!