Byodo-In -- Hawaii

A cool stop towards the end of our tour in Hawaii...

This beautiful Buddhist temple is a replica of the 900-year-old Byodo-In located in Uji, Japan. It is located in one of the most peaceful locations in O'ahu - the Valley of the Temples. The valley is situated against a back-drop of tall cliffs and is landscaped with traditional lush Japanese gardens and koi ponds. Inside the Byodo-In Temple is a nine-foot Lotus Buddha. Outside is a three-ton, brass Peace Bell.
Inside the Byodo-In Temple is a nine-foot Lotus Buddha. It is the largest wooden Buddha carved in over 900 years and is covered in gold and lacquer. Beside the temple is a 5-foot, three-ton brass Peace Bell. The deep tone of the bell sounds a message of calm and peace.

Behind and to the left of the Temple is the Meditation House, a place for private thought and inner peace. Situated against a backdrop of mountains, the Temple is landscaped with traditional Japanese gardens and a 2-acre koi pond.

Oahu Grand Circle Island

If your on Oahu for a short amount of time, or a long amount of time and you wanna get the lay of the land, I highley reccomend this day tour...it rocked.

120 Miles Of Oahu's Most Famous Sights

This tour is ideal for first-time visitors, but regulars love it, too. On your journey you will see “the best of the best” of Oahu. From the lush, green mountains to the clear blue waters, across the pineapple fields, and beyond. There’s no better way to experience the diversity of this beautiful island. The sights are accompanied by live narration from our friendly tour guides, so you’ll get interesting cultural and historical information along the way. (And don’t be surprised if you find yourself laughing and singing songs. This tour is anything but boring.)

You’ll go to the 1,186-foot Pali Lookout, where King Kamehameha the Great fought his last battle, for a view that will blow you away. Or it may feel like it anyway, with robust winds that often sweep through the mountain pass, so hold on to your hat. World-famous North Shore surfing beaches are also on the tour, along with breathtaking Waimea Bay where giant waves break right on the shore, leaving behind their salty mist.

You’ll also catch sight of Aloha Tower, which you may recall from the TV show “Hawaii Five-O,” and the familiar profile of the 750-foot Diamond Head volcano that has become a symbol for Hawaii throughout the years. This Oahu tour is grand indeed, and will not disappoint.

Pali Lookout

This was very cool...and very windy...but the view was well worth it.


The Nuuanu Pali Lookout ("Cool Height Cliff")overlooking the 985 foot cliffs of the Koolau Mountain Range, is one of the best views on O'ahu. It was here in 1795 that King Kamehameha and his warriors defeated the O'ahu armies by sending them over these steep, forested cliffs and claiming his victory and uniting the Hawaiian Islands. The breathtaking sight and the gruesome history of the battle fought here is enough to cause a chill to run up your spine.

Helemano Plantation

A cool stop on the "Grand Circle Island Tour" was the Helemano Plantation, founded by Mrs. Susanna F. Cheung, provides a "real world" work environment for the developmentally disabled. Helemano Plantation offers training and employment opportunities in its work centers. You will be able to visit the Country Inn Restaurant, Gateway to Asia, Gift Shop, Bake Shop, Farm, and Garden.

They offer a great buffet lunch and great hospitality. I highley reccomend.

Diamond Head - Island of Oahu

Well worth the hike...amazing views of Honolulu.

The most famous volcanic crater in the world is Diamond Head, located on the South-east Coast of O'ahu at the end of Waikiki overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was originally named Laeahi by the ancient Hawaiians. The name meant "brow of the tuna" and looking at the silhouette of the crater from Waikiki, you can see the resemblance. The current name came was given to the crater by British sailors in the 1800's.

When they first saw the crater at a great distance, the calcite crystals in the lava rock appeared to glimmer in the sunlight. The sailors mistakenly thought there must be diamonds in the soil. Diamond Head is a crater that has been extinct for 150,000 years. The crater is 3,520 feet in diameter with a 760-foot summit. When the United States annexed Hawaii in 1898, harbor defense became a main responsibility. One of the major defense forts, Fort Ruger, occupied the Diamond Head Crater. A battery of canons was located within the crater providing complete concealment and protection from invading enemies. An observation deck was constructed at the summit in 1910 to provide target sighting and a four level underground complex was built within the walls of the crater as a command post. A 580-foot tunnel was dug through the crater wall to provide easier access to the Fort.

The observation deck and underground complex is now abandoned with the advent of radar but evidence of the command post is still present along Diamond Head Trail. The trail is paved almost the entire way but can be steep in spots.

There are two sets of stairs, one with 99 steps and the other, 76 steps. There is also a 225-foot unlit tunnel. The hike is classified as easy to moderate in exertion but is certainly worth the breathtaking, unparalleled view of the entire west side of the island, from Waikiki to Koki Head.

Useful Information:
• Diamond Head Trail is 1 ¾ miles to the rim and takes about 1 ½ hours
• There is NO shade schedule an early hike
• Bring water
• Bathrooms available at the trailhead

Hawaii - 2008

My trip to Hawaii in September 2008 (for my birthday) was another great time. Another loner trip due to ‘last minute’ decision making on my part. I hung out in Honolulu on Oahu for a week, in retrospect this trip would have been a lot more fun with friends, but I still had a great time.

I stayed on Waikiki Beach at the Sheraton Princess for 2 days (cashed in some Starwood points I had) -- it was OK, very comfy bed...good location. I moved over to Park Shore Hotel, very basic but even better location, right across the street from the beach and near the zoo and about 5 ABC stores, ha ha...I think there are ABC Stores connected to every hotel in Waikiki. I reccomend Park Shore or any of the Aqua Hotels if your on a budget - they have great deals and have remodeled most of them - I also had a great massage at Aqua Bamboo.

Hawaii is absolutely gorgeous (although after a day in the city of Honolulu I just felt like I was in Miami). Next time I would love to visit some of the other Islands and stay a lot longer.