Waimea Falls, Oahu, HI

Waimea Falls is located near the North Coast of Oahu. To get there, we traveled through the Rain Forest, then up the East Coast where we saw many beautiful sandy beaches right next to the highway. We stopped for a while to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center. By the time we arrived at the parking lot and visitor center at Waimea, we were pretty tired and our feet plenty sore (flip-flops: NOT a good idea). Luckily, unlike Manoa Falls, here we were able to take a little shuttle to and from the falls. The drivers of this little 7-passenger vehicle were very personable and stopped to point out interesting plants and birds along the way.

Here is another view of the falls, with more of the park visible.

Manoa Falls, Oahu, HI

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Monoa Falls is only about 5 miles from downtown Honolulu, but it might as well be a thousand miles away. After finding the parking lot at the base of the trail, one must hike about a mile up a muddy (it's in a rain forest) jungle trail. Here is a short video of the 100-foot falls.

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Getting there by foot is the fun part. At the parking lot, you are offered a free (after the $5 parking fee) walking stick. Hint: Take it! And, also, wear good hiking shoes. Flip-flops will not cut it!
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Here is the intrepid Jossy picking and choosing her next step up the muddy incline...

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And now, me carefully descending from the falls area.

:-} =-)
We returned to the Hale Koa muddy, tired, but happy.
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For a realistic effect, try playing all three videos at the same time!
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Hawaii -mo' pix

That's my head blocking the view of Diamond Head. We are out in our rented, 2-person paddle boat -just like at Doris & Smitty's --only a bigger pond...

Oahu, Hawaii "Vacation"

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Waikiki Beach & Deamond Head.


The Hale Koa Hotel.

The Arizona Memorial. (click to enlarge)

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We were the exception this time. When people fly into Honolulu, Oahu, HI, they are often asked: "Which island are you headed to?" Our destination: Oahu. Our main objective was to visit the Arizona Memorial on this Memorial Weekend. We accomplished that and our other objectives such as seeing the Rain Forest, East and North Coast beaches, the Polynesian Cultural Center, beautiful water falls, and, of course, just lounging and "people watching" on Waikiki beach.
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We had a wonderful stay at the Hale Koa, about 100 yards off the beach -separated only by a lovely grass and tree-filled park. We have reason to believe that the Hale Koa -operated by and for the military- is the very best hotel in all of Hawaii.
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more photos to follow...