Hawaii Day 5

Fun day today. First, we went to a local fave, The Pancake House in Koa, for the most spectacular breakfast I've had in ages. Papaya crepes, Portuguese sausage and marinated pork, homestyle potatoes, pancakes, french toast, eggs. It was "marvelous." In fact, held us over for food until like 3 PM! I think my favorite part was that we were the only white peeps in there. All locals. Very cool.

Then, we went to a local LDS ward. We lucked out. It was one of the best Sacrament meetings I've been to. One of their young men (although a little older from what I gathered) has been called to the Tacoma, WA mission and is leaving. It was his farewell. Several young people spoke and gave great talks, and there were a couple of musical numbers that were great. Two young men sang a duet in fantastic harmony, very Hawaiian sounding. Loved it. At the end of the service, an older gentleman stood up at the front and started singing "Aloha 'Oe" (Farewell to Thee). Everyone joined in at the end. During this, there grew a huge line up to the front of the chapel where the going out elder stood, and people came up, put a lei around his neck and hugged and kissed him good-bye. Found out later that the gentleman who stood up to sing was actual the father in the movie Johnny Lingo (old, famous Mormon show). The whole ceremony was quite something to see.

Next, we went to Pearl Harbor. That was something to see, too. Watched a show on the history of the USS Arizona, then we took a boat shuttle out to the site where the ship had sunk and there is now a memorial built on top of it. Quite humbling and reverent. Went back and Dave showed them the cool missles and old guns on display. It was cool.

Went to Kailua Park and beautiful sandy beach. Little bit overcast and windy, but the water was warm and great for riding the mini-waves. Very shallow quite far out. Great for the boogie board although none of us were very good at it. Still, I could have stayed out there all day if I weren't such a wimpy girl these days. It's hard work! Once I got out of the water, it was windy and cold, so time to go. Hit the showers, then dinner at a local Hawaiian plate cafe before heading home.

Lovely day. Last big day tomorrow. Polynesian Cultural Center is the big thing on the agenda. Looking forward to it.

More photos added. Click here.