The Redemption of Waikiki

Ron and Ella with Diane

Today, Ron, Ella and I headed into Waikiki to meet Diane for lunch. We parked near the hotel at Fort DeRussy, where the Hale Koa is located. When Erin was visiting I made a comment about how much I disliked Waikiki for it's couture, over-priced shopping, beach with more bodies than grains of sand, and the traffic. How could anyone vacation here I thought!

Ron, Ella and I

Well, it turns out, we were at the busy end of Waikiki and it's totally different than the Hale Koa end. Diane's hotel, The Breakers, is a quaint little hotel with a Japanese look and a beautiful pool courtyard. Because it's near the military hotel, the Hale Koa and Fort DeRussy park, it's much more quiet than the high-end shopping area. Diane took us on a tour of "her" Waikiki and I have definately a greater appreciation as to why people come back year after year. The walkways are paved and the beach isn't over-crowded. There are walkways through and among the big hotel courtyards and the gardens are beautiful. Here's a picture of a Banyan Tree...one of many in the region.

The Hilton has beautiful ponds with ducks, khoi, swans, turtles and even penguins! Here's Ella talking to them. It was such a beautiful day that Ron and I are going to come back with our rollerblades and take Ella around Waikiki and Ala Moana. Diane took us for Japanese lunch at the hotel and it was delicious! What great day...to top it off I finally did some gardening....