Hawaii Trip 2016: Post 7 of 7... Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay

We spent a gorgeous few hours snorkeling in the famous Hanauma Bay.  It was my second visit and didn't disappoint! The photos never show the amazing beauty and color.....

Convict Tangs

Yellow Tang

Kelly checking out the coral

James and Jon

Jon and me

More convicts

The gang on our way back

Pano I shot of the bay with my iPhone

Hawaii Trip 2016: Post 6 of 7... Star of Honolulu Cruise

We took another one of those amazing sunset dinner cruises.  Lovely and fun.

Hawaii Trip 2016: Post 5 of 7... Germaine's Luau

The luau was great fun.  If I had to compare, I still like Paradise Cove the best, though, for location and activities.  Still, FUN.

The retiring director brought his mom, who had now been to every state except Alaska.  She was amazing.

Our buds, D & K

The other director in a pensive moment. :)

Boba and Stormtrooper came along, of course.

No comment?

Student embarrassment was a must.  Hula!

Hawaii Trip 2016: Post 4 of 7... Concert at the Arizona Memorial

Summer is my happy time when I get to breathe and catch up on a million blog posts!

Way back in March, when we were in HI, the honor band played at the USS Arizona Memorial.  That was the reason for the trip.  All the directors conducted beautiful pieces (these photos are a little Jon-specific, of course). It was a moving, amazing concert.

Unfortunately, the day was dreary and rainy (the rain started as soon as the concert ended, thank goodness) and no boats were going over to the Arizona because of that.  We were sad to miss that amazing experience, but enjoyed touring the Bowfin sub in lieu of it.

The last photo in this series says everything - it is a screen shot of facebook activity I posted the moment Jon conducted Eternal Father, Strong to Save.

love.

Hawaii Trip 2016: Post 3 of 7... Mopeds and Mai Tais OR Hogs and Hawaiian (as in ROYAL)

Jon encouraged me to go back to my little WV redneck girl motorbike roots and rent mopeds for the day so we could ride up the coast with James.  I almost abandoned the thought and let them have a boys day but I am so glad I didn't.  It was a BLAST.  We only got cussed out by a local motorist once, because our hogs would only go 20 MPH uphill.  And aren't the baskets super cool?  Our gang RULED Oahu that day.

We stopped briefly at Hanauma Bay, excited that we would be in that water in just a couple of days.

This fish taco and this beach were, combined, probably my favorite part of the entire 7-day trip.  We rode up to Waimanalo and purchased food from a local dive: Ono Steaks.  (One member of our party had an official "Oh no!" bathroom encounter later because of it, but I will spare you those details....
we, however, will NEVER let him live that one down.)
This was the BEST fish taco I have ever had in the BEST location.  

This was like something from a dream.  Waimanalo, I am a fan.  Big time.

Later that day, we were treated to dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe and then ended up at the Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai bar. LOVE.

This day was the best.  That is all.  Next post: Concert at the Arizona

Hawaii Trip 2016: Post 2 of 7... Island Running

One day (yeah, I said just one), I went running.  Jon did, too.  I remember it being inspiring and fun 4 years ago, as well... miles just go by faster when you have these views.