Hawaii

Hawaii consist of five islands: Maui, Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai, and Lanai. Oahu is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous one in Hawaii and is home to the majority of Hawaii’s diverse population, a fusion of east and west cultures rooted in the values and traditions of the Native Hawaiian people. Oahu has a total land area of 596.7 square miles (1,545.4 km²). Oahu is 44 miles (71 km) long and 30 miles (48 km) across. The length of the shoreline is 227 miles (365 km). Oahu is called “The Gathering Place,” and it is certainly lives up to its name. Honolulu is the vibrant epicenter of Hawaii. Here you’ll find everything from historic landmarks, such as Pearl Harbor to world-class shopping at the Ala Moana Center, the world's largest open-air shopping center, attracting more than 42 million shopping visitations a year.

Diamond Head crater can be seen on the right side corner of the picture. We hiked all the way to top!

Aerial view of Waikiki beach. We stayed at the Outrigger on the beach located on the end at the right hand side of this picture next to the pink building.

View of the beach from our room on the 11th floor.

In the lobby next to a fully restored Hawaiian Canoe (read story below).

Sign telling how the canoe was found and then fully restored to its former beauty.

Exotic flowers in the lobby.

Orchids in the main lobby.

Hoa and I we had to touch the flowers because they look so fake but they are not!

More flowers throughout the hotel lobby.

After we checked in our luggage, Hoa and I decided to check out what is around the hotel. As soon as we stepped out of the hotel the International market place is across the street.

The International Market Place is the center for shopping. You can get all of your souvenirs in this one place, including coffee, clothes, and jewelry. Each day visitors come to this place to buy souvenirs and to have dinner on the Waikiki Beach walk. With over 130 carts, shops and artisan stands, this open-air setting in the heart of Waikiki remains a must-see-and-do for that special gift or souvenir.

Lots of little shops around and lots of tourists looking around.

Beautiful tree!

Deluxe Shops of Waikiki Beach walk

Waikiki Beach walk is the largest development project in Waikiki's history and is now the new gathering place in Waikiki. Waikiki Beach Walk has a wide variety of Restaurants, Brand name stores, and all the nice hotels are located there. Nearly eight acres along he well known Lewers Street has been completely rebuilt and transformed into the place to be in Waikiki. The cost of of building Waikiki Beach walk cost is 500 million- the most expensive development in Waikiki to date.

Ralph Lauren store front

Burberry...

Dior...

The Waikiki Beach walk has so many luxury stores such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tiffany, Chanel... Name it and they all have a store there.

You can not really see it here but it is the Louis Vuitton store.

Louis Vuitton store entrance

Louis Vuitton store view from across the street.

Royal Hawaiian center

After walking a few blocks we are walking back to our hotel and we had to go by the Royal Hawaiian hotel. This is the court yard and there are a shopping center next to it.

Nice trees! The court yard is lovely and nicely manicured.

Duke's bar (back at the hotel)

Back to our hotel the outrigger!

Hoa and I we decide to go to the bar and a have a drink.

This is the famous Duke bar looking out to the beach. They have a live band consisting of two people. They are actually pretty good.

The bar is full of people and it is very lively!

Sitting at the bar sipping a strawberry daiquiri. The daiquiri was actually way to sweet for me so I did not enjoy it.

Duke's menu.

Duke Kahanamokus was a Hawaiian swimmer, actor, lawman, and businessman credited with spreading the sport of surfing. He was a five-time Olympic medalist in swimming

view of the bar. The bar is always full of people and it is a very happy place to hang out.

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