2025 HAWAII (March/April)
The impetus for this trip to Hawaii started with Bryan & Sian's attendance at the wedding of his post-college roommate, Grant who is from Hawaii. We have had many fun past trips to visit relatives, and Sian has never met many, if not most of them. So, we decided to all go for a much belated trip - it has been 7 years since our last visit.
At LAX...we made it just at 50lbs!
We always bring a TON of gifts for everyone, so one suitcase is usually dedicated for that purpose. In February, Barry & I took a screen printing class in downtown Austin, so we ended up bringing everyone some goods made in class as well as some Texas snacks from Buccee's!
We arrived on Friday night, and assembled all of the bags before the kids got in around midnight.
DAY 1: SATURDAY 3/22
The view from our Airbnb is pretty great, and since Bryan and the two of us were up early, we walked across the street for some coffee.
We were so grateful that Ernelle was able to get everyone over at Brian & Doreen's house for this. All but Brian were able to be there the whole time. He did show up at the end (he had to go to a memorial service).
Back Row Left to Right (Roland, Doreen, Leanne, Errol, Me, B, May)
Front Row (Bryan, Sian, Jackie, Ernelle, Janine, Dia, Jake)
Brian was able to be there at the end!
Here are more shots of our time together!
We took Bryan & Sian to their friend's wedding which was at Cafe Julia, and afterwards we walked across the street to Iolani Palace and Kamehameha Supreme Court grounds. Meanwhile, Jackie took Jake & Dia for Shave Ice at Ululani's!
We met up with them later for sushi dinner.
DAY 2: SUNDAY 3/23
Breakfast bright & early with the Lau's (Mike, Lori & Matt) at Highway Inn at Kaka'ako. This was the only day we could ALL be together because they were headed for California to help Lori's sister, and also spend time with Kathy doing some wedding planning. Good eats, along with shops & murals to explore afterwards to walk it off!
On our way out of Kaka'ako Bryan had a mis-hap...He got the "aglet" of his shorts caught in the seatbelt receiver. Instead of gently fishing it out, he ended up jamming it in further! As a result he could not get the seatbelt to lock, yikes! Good thing we were headed for the Manoa Rd. Compound, where we could take advantage of Matt's abundant tool set - ha! ha!
It seemed like it took a LOOOOONG time!
While we were at Manoa Rd. we ran into Marisa (via her dog Boba). She inherited the "Big House", and is renovating it...big project! Here are a few photos. Can't wait to tour when it is complete!
Off to Costco, because no visit to another state or country is complete without a visit to Costco. Hawaii's Costco has so many goodies, we decided to get our dinner fixin's here, as well as snacks for the week.
DAY 3: MONDAY 3/24
While Bryan and Sian met their friends Matt & Ruth in Chinatown, we made our own stops with Jake & Dia...first at Drip for fancy coffee...
We walked around Chinatown for a bit to take in the old architecture of the city, and then ran into a salon that was just calling out to Jake & I 😂
The rest of Monday was a beach day, and eating leftovers at the condo!
DAY 4: TUESDAY 3/25
Tuesday was a very FULL day! We ended up driving the Southeast portion of the island. Not long for a mainlander, but we made many stops and were out all day!
First stop was breakfast with Myra at Jack's in Aina Haina. This is an ole reliable local joint with all the foods we love!
After breakfast we visited some more at Myra's place. The newest gadget in her house made it an amusement park stop! She got a "lift" (AKA elevator without the hassle of digging into the ground). It is made by a company called Stiltz, and I am now very intrigued and want to get one for the Torrance house!!!!
We took some time to help re-shuffle some surf and boogie boards in her garage...
...too bad all of the mangos were too high up in the tree. It has gotten so tall over the years, and she has been told that trimming this variety might kill the tree...so for now, we wait for them to drop!
Myra has adopted a three-legged (tripod) cat named Phoenix, who relishes in attention!
We visited a while before it was time for us to depart.
It is hard not to stop at every eatery and not get just a little something...
Dia found that they offer "movie tours" at Kualoa Ranch. Since the ranch is on the same side of the island that we are exploring today, we book it....oh, and it happens to be the FUTURE location of Jackie's wedding (Groom: TBD, Date: TBD).
The most famous is of course Jurassic Park!
That was a lot to take in...
We just love traveling with these girls!!!! Dia was able to come at the last minute (...and she got a new job!), and because of Jackie's FOMO we enjoyed her company the entire time! She is our Hanai Daughter 💕
There is also nothing like a home cooked dinner in the car port with family...fresh poke, potato salad, lau lau, fried saimin...along with lively discussions about colonoscopies & kidney stones!
Back Row Left to Right (James/Jimbo, Bryan, Jackie, B, Sian, Dia, Jake)
Front Row (Malia Kau, Me, Malia Ogoshi, Jon)
A beautiful ending to a long day...and Luke arrived at the L. Chung's for the weekend!
DAY 5: WEDNESDAY 3/26
Bryan had a morning meeting and Sian decided to go to the gym this morning, so Dad & I took Jake & Dia up to the North Shore (Haleiwa). Dia has never been to Oahu, so we took her over to the Dole Plantation, and of course more shave ice! This time we tried Aoki's...eh, so so...
We needed to save room for Aiea Bowl, another MUST on any trip to Oahu - fried chicken and oxtail soup, among other delicacies!!!! 😋
After some afternoon shopping (Hawaiian Jewelry, and Don Quijote), we did a little relaxing before meeting up with long time friends, the Wada's for dinner.
Left to Right (Mike, Bryan, Sian, B, Me, Phyllis, Nicele, Chaney, a Wada SO, Dayne, Dia, Jackie, Jake)
End of the evening back at the condo...!
DAY 6: THURSDAY 3/27
Today is the first real test post-knee surgery. We went on a beautiful hike to Kuli'ou'ou Ridge Lookout. 4.5 Miles with a 1,600 ft gain. Thanks goodness Mike loaned us his hiking poles (they are actually rifle rests for his hunting, but dual purpose).
We made it!
Exhausted...we ended up at Heavenly Island Lifestyle restaurant for lunch.
The kids have yummy memories of our last trip when we took Myra to eat at Mahina & Suns...so we got a reservation there, and luckily my cousin Joann was able to join! She entertained us with her "Ick" stories about "Highwater", and "Loose Wrists" 😂 (you had to be there..)
But wait there's more...Jackie had a craving for MORE SHAVE ICE!!!
DAY 7: FRIDAY 3/28
This morning we saw a chicken cross the road...
We tried more SPAM musubi...
Jake & Dia were celebrating their 2nd anniversary with brunch at Nami Kaze, so we went with Bryan & Sian to eat at a little Italian Deli that Sian found (thought we would try something other than Asian, LOL)! What a great find - when we walked in it didn't even feel like we were in Hawaii anymore - the sandwiches were AMAZING!
The boys wanted to pay one more visit to "Walls", where Barry showed 'em that he's still got it!
Our last family dinner with the kids was at Cousin Aletha's house in Kailua. She was kind enough to gather as many Leong cousins as possible (everyone is scattered now-a-days). She rents a beautiful home with a huge backyard - it was nice to catch up with everyone, and even Jami & ("good friend") Tyler were able to make it - they were in town for a family friend's wedding (Nina & Rob Hino's daughter).
Back Row Left to Right (Elinor, Jeremy, Denis, Robert, Bryan, Sian, Jake, Jackie, Tyler)
Middle Row (Eric, Aletha, April, Barry, Dia)
Front Row (Michael, Lavonne, Axel, Boba, Me, Jami)
Keith reminded Barry that today would have been their mom's 100th Birthday, so Sian & I were able to go get a cake to celebrate 💗
Lester phoned in for the celebration!
Luke was sad not to be included.
DAY 8: SATURDAY 3/29
The kids leave today, but we must get in our proper Leonard's Malasada's! Sian got online the night before and we made a pick up order for 9am! 😂
Luckily we had time to do a drive by of the 9th Avenue house . This is the "Kau" house that Barry's dad lived in when they first moved from Maui to Oahu.
ALOHA, until November when we are together again in paradise for Kathy's wedding!
DAYS 9-11: SUN-TUES (3/30-4/1)
We spent Sunday returning the rental car and settling into Myra's house. In a short time since we were there, the house across the street from her was demolished! We spent the day assessing some things we could help Myra with, visiting Lowe's to buy supplies, eating at Tanaka Saimin, and home cooking, YAY! On Monday night Jackie came over for dinner and we got caught up in all of her dating activities! 😄
We also start binge watching Stranger Things with Myra! We end up staying up waaaaaay too late each evening, but we are hooked (even though Barry & already watched all episodes, I still can't remember everything!).
On Tuesday night we were invited to join the youngin's for dinner - Matt and Tyler had never met before...this was one of those nights I did not document, so here is a collage put together of our group post get-together! After dinner Barry got to play pickleball with Joann and her friends at Wai Ali Park...hoping to get photos from Joann of her crew. 👍
This just in...photo arrived from Joann...rainbow and everything! Pickleball in Paradise!
DAYS 12-13: WED-THUR (4/2-4/3)
Barry & I have visited all of the Hawaiian Islands except for Lanai, so we decided to add that to the itinerary this trip. We flew out Wednesday and came back Thursday evening....a quick trip, but well worth it (even though I probably don't need to go back any time soon, LOL!).
I booked us on Mokulele Airlines, which is cheaper (and advertised as more "adventurous") than the "Four Seasons" jets of Lanai Air. They take off out of Terminal 3. When our Uber driver picked us up he informs us that Terminal 3 has only vending machines and offered to take us to McDonalds for our coffee and breakfast - thank goodness! This is what flying USED to be like...
We rented a Jeep from one of the only car rentals on the island, as that is really the only way to see most parts of Lanai. Many of the even smaller off-road roads are off-limits to tourists as there is a danger of being shot by hunters (AKA Mike & Matt Lau)!
Larry Ellison owns 98% of the island (purchased from Dole)...Everyone knows everyone on Lanai, as there are a little more than 3,000 residents. Anyone who lives there and wants to rent needs to show proof of employment. Alternatively, I guess you could buy a place, but it ain't cheap!
Most people that visit stay at one of the two Four Seasons hotels on the island. They are very upscale now. We chose to stay in town at the Hotel Lanai. It was VERY nice and way cheaper than the other places. Alternatively we could stay where hunters like Mike and Matt stay, but as adventurous as we are, I don't think so...
We were told by Cousin Malia that the Kau's have a distant relative living on the island named Mei Lianne Aki Aoki, who is the Harbor Master. Unfortunately she was in Oahu during the time we were on Lanai, but when we stopped in at the Lanai Culture & Heritage Center, the docent (Aunty Jo) said she knew her, and pointed out on-line videos of interviews with residents discussing the history of Dole and the Island.
We made quick progress on visiting all of the half dozen stores in town square (funny thing is I found my clear Locals at the market here...could not find in Oahu!). Then we headed for lunch at Views Restaurant located at the Four Seasons along the coast. Food was amazing!
Off for some off-roading...we drove out as far as Keomoku Village and Kaiolohia (Shipwreck Beach). The roads were...let's say VERY CHALLENGING! Barry had fun though! 😂
We made it back to Lanai City for a beautiful dinner at Lanai City Bar & Grille located right inside our hotel, where there is entertainment nightly. We were very impressed by Dale Kapua, who was on that night. He even called up a friend who was dining there to do an impromptu hula for us 👏
Rise & Shine!
This morning we headed off for some more off-roading!
After lunch and check out, we visited the "famous" Lanai Cat Sanctuary (as seen on CBS Sunday Morning). Though we are not cat people necessarily, it was very cool and astounding to see what they are doing there!
We attempted one more off-road adventure before heading to the airport, but it proved to be too treacherous, and cutting it too close to our only way back to Oahu for the day.
More interesting observations...
....actually we HAD to make it back to Oahu because Cousin Myra was picking us up to go to an amazing dinner at Nami Kaze (the same restaurant that Jacob & Dia went to for their anniversary brunch!). The chef (Jason Peel) is Cousin Jimbo's student from Kauai (too bad he was not there that night).
DAYS 14-18: FRI-TUES (4/4-4/8)
On Friday we resumed life back on Oahu! Barry played a little pick-up pickleball in the morning at the Diamond Head Pickleball courts, while I did a little last minute shopping. We met up with Ernelle, May, Janine & Jackie for lunch at Fookie's!
That evening Myra took us out to dinner with her friend Ruth at a great little hole in the wall Korean Fusion place in Chinatown that is up for a James Beard award.
She also got us tickets to see the Mana Music Quartet play at UH Music Dept. We ended the evening with a tour of Ruth's condo at Admiral Thomas. Myra once had a unit there as well. She had thought she would "retire" there, but ended up selling hers recently. It is a beautiful building, with a stunning view!
One (or many) thing we were able to do while staying with Myra is help her out with some "things around the house". It was the least we could do for her after letting us stay.
On Saturday, Elise and her kids arrived on Oahu for a visit, so we were able to get together for Chinese dinner!
Left to Right (Cody's GF Peyton, Elise, Cody, Me, Matt, Jackie, Mike, Lori, Barry)
...and Sunday we had lunch with Aunty Carole and her daughter Alison. Aunty Carole is his mom's baby sister, who I think looks just like her! Each time we get together she reminds us that Barry's mom was her idol (11 years her senior).
Left to Right (Peyton, Cody, Leah, Barry, Me, Journey, Maddie, Jackie, Elise, Alison, Aunty Carole)
We "followed" Elise back to the Manoa Compound to drop off the borrowed boogie boards & fins and were able to visit with Cousin Joel, Julianne, and Wesley!
On our very last night in Oahu, Jackie got us invited to a dinner with Cousin Marisa's family at the Oahu Elks Club (Lodge?) - what a treat! We had really never sat down with Marisa's family ever before (in fact I never even met Richard before)...it was all around good food, good company, and beautiful sunset.
It's always sad to have to end a vacation...overall we had a fabulous time, but ready to come home. Luke was especially happy to be flying back to Texas, to his favorite blankie!
MAHALO!
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