The New Arizona Memorial Visitors Center

Being like most locals, I visited the Arizona Memorial at one time or another - usually when I have a friend in town. Yesterday, I decided to check out the new visitors center that opened in time for the 69th aniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.


Front entrance


Submarine launched Ballistic Missile



Nuclear Torpedo


USS Bowfin


I will never forget.

USS Missouri "Mighty Mo"

Boat Ride to the Arizona Memorial.

Scale model of the Arizona.

442nd Infantry / 100th Battalion - "Go for Broke"

Crossroads to the Pacifc and the "Tree of Life".

Anchor retrieved from the USS Arizona.

"Rosie the Riveter" - WWII Propaganda.

The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau - Waimea, Hawaii 09-10

The "EDDIE" is the most prestigious big-wave contest in the world. The event is named after Eddie Aikau - a famous Hawaiian waterman. The Eddie has only been held only 8 times in the last 25 years. This years winner was Greg Long of California.

I've lived on Oahu for my entire life yet I had never attended the Eddie Aikau Classic. I woke up early and drove my car to Lani's Beach. I parked along the road and rode my bike up to Waimea. Hundreds to spectators were there before the sunrise to catch the morning action. Waves of 30+ feet crashed on the shore of Waimea. Yeah... they'll be no jumping off Waimea rock today.

Hawaiian Airlines

Update: 12/31/09
Gonna take the red-eye to Vegas tonight (10:55pm). I believe this will be the first time I will spend New Years on a plane flying over the Pacific.

Kauai Trip: 8/22/09 -8/23/09
Yeah, I know I haven't updated this blog in a while. My excuse was that I was waiting till I really had something to blog about... namely my trip to the garden isle of Kauai!


The last time I journeyed to Kauai was aboard the Superferry Alakai. Let's just say I didn't make it there. See My Superferry Adventure!


Interisland Terminal


Hawaiian Airlines has been recognized as the most on-time airline in the nation. True to form, I left HNL to Lihue on time!

Kauai... here I come!

Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon is known as the Grand Canyon on the Pacific. The drive from Lihue is quite far but well worth it!


This was my first time to see Waimea Canyon. I experienced the same breathless feeling that I felt when I saw the Grand Canyon.



Waterfall in the distance.

Kilauea Lighthouse and Bird Sanctuary

Kilauea lighthouse was built in 1913 and was served as a pivotal point of reference for ships bound to the orient.


Closeup of the Fresnel lens


The Nene goose is Hawaii's state bird. It is illegal to even touch a Nene.


Why did the Nene (Goose) cross the road?


Baby Shearwater

National Tropical Botanical Garden

Located near Spouting Horn, the National Tropical Botanical Garden is truly a hidden gem on Kauai.

Spouting Horn

Found near Poipu, Spouting Horn is made up of two blowholes and is a breathtaking place to view the ocean.