Dole Pineapple Plantation

We decided to visit the plantation at the last minute. We only had about an hour, but it was worth it! For a few dollars each, we toured the beautiful gardens. We saw the yellow habiscus, and found out the reason it is our state flower is because it is found on every Hawaiian island. We also learned that pineapple, sugar, and coffee plantations are what created the racial diversity on our islands. Before the plantations opened, most of the island was made up of native Hawaiians. The plantation drew in labor force from Japan, the Phillipines, and many other nations.



It drizzled on us for the first half of the tour, but when the sun came out, it made for gorgeous pictures.

The only thing obviously missing from our tour was the pineapple palms! We think we had to take another tour to see those.


We didn't wait around long to ask about the pineapple trees after learning about a pineapple demonstration--complete with pineapple samples--that was going on inside. This nice lady taught us the correct way to cut a pineapple, and introduced us to a delicious flavor-enhancing spice called Li Hing Power. It is a slightly sweet, slightly salty taste that we were willing to purchase for our cupboards after tasting.

The best part (BY FAR) was eating fresh pineapple ice cream. Yum, yum, yum. We have a new favorite ice cream, but we only know of one place to get it!

Oahu Temple, 2

Our trip to the Laie Temple this time was a short walk around the grounds and a photo session, but it was still very nice. It really is breath-taking to see it in person. Pictures do a good job, but there is something about turning the corner and driving up the avenue to this sight:

Here is a view going the other direction (from the temple to the street):

Polynesian Cultural Center

We have been excited to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center for a long time. It is a non-profit organization run by our church, with the purpose of helping remember and continue Polynesian tradition and culture. People come from all over to attend BYU-Hawaii, and work at the PCC to pay for school. (Our waitress was from Hong Kong.)

We waited to visit the PCC until we had visitors who wanted to go with us. The experience did not disappoint. We arrived in the early afternoon to rain, so our first destination was the IMax Theather to watch a Coral Reef movie. As soon as we exited the theater, we caught the canoe show, which demonstrated the 7 cultures and their dances.

The rest of the afternoon, we went to the villages that displayed each culture. First stop, Tahiti for a tatoo:

Next, we made fish out of palm leaves in Samoa. Then, the demonstrator made my fish kiss Brady's fish. Say it together now, "Awwwwwww....."

Our favorite activity was spear-throwing in Tonga. There was a boys and girls competition to see who could get their spears in the rings--or the closets to it. Brady and I both won! Of course, nobody was keeping track except for us...

The best time of the night was the Luau. We were given a lei greeting, and then came into the festive dining area. The food was delicious, and definitely a cultural experience. We tried Poke (raw fish marinated in soy sauce), Lomilomi salmon (a spicy salmon salsa), Poi (a Hawaiian staple from taro roots and water, pounded together until it is almost a smooth sauce), Kalua pua'a (imu pork), chicken long rice (a rice noodle), island fish, and purple taro rolls.


Before eating, they demonstrated imu pork, and pulled this baby out of the underground BBQ ( or imu).

It was our treat day, so of course we went crazy and shared one of each of the desserts: Haupia (made from coconut cream), guava cake, coconut cake, and chocolate macadamia nut cake. Yum.

Pictures of our luau backdrop:

This guy did the fire dance later in the evening show. He has the largest calf muscles ever (bigger than Luke Staley's)! His name is Kap, and he is a total performer. He also sells his artwork on the side. He was flexing his pecs one at a time during this picture:

The evening show was impressive, but would have been a little more entertaining if our sweet little boy hadn't been wailing throughout much of the first half. His overstimulated body was not into the music and dancing of the cultures, and especially disliked the drums. Poor little dude.

Of course he was fine when we reached the hotel late that night:

We settled in for the night in Waikiki, in a not-quite-lavish hotel complete with bright blue and very used bathrobes. My mother and I had a ball sporting them as a joke for Brady and Dad when they came in from parking the car (3 blocks away--the hotel was THAT nice). For a mere $85, we could have taken one home. Shame we forgot...

Waiting for Grandparents

A couple of weeks ago, my parents sent a package to Zachary signed, "Love, Grandma and Grandpa." I could not figure out why my grandparents had not given the gift to him in person while we were in Utah, and it took a full minute to realize it was my parents who sent it!

My parents are venturing away from the 20" of snowfall blizzard that hit them this weekend, to soak up some warm temperatures and meet their third grandchild. I am personally not missing much about Ohio after seeing these pictures.


This is how Zach feels about their visit:

Cheese!