Three Hour Tour

Friday was a long busy day. It started at 7:45 am with a bus tour of the island. We drove up to the Dole Plantation, then around the North Shore, and finally ended at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Robert, who referred to himself as "The Hawaiian" was our tour guide. He was full of stories and trivia, and he shared his love of surfing with us.


This was the first lookout point along the tour.

Next stop was Hanauma Nature Preserve. This public park fills up early every day and they limit visitors. This is a great place for snorkeling.

Finger trees

The nuts have a fiber top like a paintbrush.

Robert told us this small cove was used to film Pirates of the Caribbean.

 Look closely for the stone pillar. Just below it is a blow hole. I could never catch the water spurting up.

The next stop was Nu'uannu Pali Lookout. This is the site of the bloody battle that took place when King Kamehameha I overthrew Chief Kalanikupule to conquer Oahu in his quest to unite the Hawaiian Islands. Kamehameha threw 400 warriors off the steep cliff to their deaths.

Chickens seem to roam freely on the island.

Next stop was The Dole Plantation. This was a gift shop on steroids jam packed with a massive amount of tourists. We missed out on the pineapple ice cream due to the long line, but did find some later in the day. The fresh pineapple on this island is delicious.

Ti leaf tree. It is believed to ward off evil spirits.

One of the many varieties of pineapple on display. They grow close to the ground.

 Rainbow eucalyptus tree. Lovely colors in the smooth bark.


Last stop was a brief view of the North Shore. We received a lengthy discourse on surfing here.