Weekend in Hawai'i

Just a few months ago at the end of April, I finally had the opportunity to visit Hawai'i. Although it was just for one weekend, I was able to do quite a bit and make the most of my visit in the little time I had there.

I arrived in Honolulu in the evening on the last Friday of the month and returned home on the following Monday, so I only had just over two full days on the island of O'ahu.

Even though I arrived at the end of the day, I was lucky enough to explore the island a little bit and walk just a few steps from my resort, Aulani, to see the sunset pictured below and all three sunsets of this trip were among the most beautiful sunsets that I have seen to date.

On Saturday, I got the chance to visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. While here, I walked the memorial grounds, visited the USS Arizona Memorial and explored the exhibit galleries: Attack and Road To War. Walking through and seeing all of this in person really immerses you in the history and there were many parts of it that were a bit sad, which just goes to show the significance of the devastating event that took place at this location decades ago.

Now for my second and also the last day on the island, I was able to visit the Dole Plantation and then relax for a little bit before flying home. The weather wasn't the best this day, but I was still able to thoroughly explore here, despite heavy rainfall. I was even able to ride the train that takes you through the plantation with a narrated story of the history of pineapples in Hawai'i and how the Dole Plantation came to be what it's known as today.

The whole experience was really cool and I ended my time here with a good meal (for a good price) and some dole whip from the plantation shop. I also had some island natives join me for this meal pictured below.

After the Dole Plantation, I returned to Aulani to spend some time relaxing at the pool and exploring the resort grounds one last time before flying back home.

I'd say this was a pretty good trip and I was able to do a lot in two days, but I don't think I could spend less than two weeks the next time I visit Hawai'i.