Saturday in Waikiki

            I slept soundly after my two Jameson’s last night.  I had my first cup of coffee this morning on my balcony with a view of the mountains and the Ali Wai Golf Course.

            I had my free breakfast in the basement at the Hilton.  There were too many people there in the executive lounge.  

            After I checked out of the Hilton, I drove over to the Kapiolani Park near the Aquarium.  I parked in the lot where I used to park on the weekends 25 years ago.  You have to get a free parking spot before noon before the lots fill up.   I walked from the Aquarium area to Queens Beach where a Japanese couple was posing for wedding pictures.  Then I walked by the old Natatorium that is still fenced off and off limits.   I walked up the strip to Waikiki Beach.    It would have been nice to have a cigar, but that is now outlawed.  

            I walked along Kalakawa Avenue and noticed that the shops and even the sidewalks became more high class.   So, this is like Vegas.   The east end of the Kalakaua Avenue has the older and more run down hotels, shops, and restaurants.   They become newer the closer you get to the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and the Hilton Hawaiian Village on the west end.    I was amazed how much Lewers Road has changed.   It now has fancy hotels and shops.   The new Hilton Vacation Club is on the corner of Lewers and Kalakaua.    I walked in, and it looked very expensive.   There were Asians at the vacation club desk.  No wonder I couldn’t book a condo there this trip.

            I walked around the Hale Koa – House of the Warrior – military resort.   They now have two towers instead of just the original one.   There is still a lot of green grass near the old Fort Derussy Military Museum.   I went into the PX at the resort.  I will be back here later to buy booze and save money.   I noticed that they sell nice cigars, but where can I go smoke them?

            Like I used to do on weekends 25 years ago, I bought a soda and a Macadamia candy bar.   I then headed back to Kalakaua and walked all the way back to the aquarium area.   I noticed that the old International Market place with all the junk stands is currently closed.  I walked through the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center which now has some very upscale shops. 

            I finished the 5 mile walk and was worn out from the heat and humidity.   I stopped in a hotel gift shop to get a soda to drink to prevent dehydration and kidney stones.

            I drove up over the Diamond Head road where they are putting in some kind of new trail that runs in front of the entrance to the Diamond Head Crater.    I didn’t go into the crater as I was too tired to climb all those steps up to the top.  I kept driving and went back down Monserrat Avenue to Ali Wai Road.    I remembered that I used to run up that Avenue when I was doing the Iron Man Triathlons.   Of course, that was many years and many pounds ago.

            I drove around Ala Moana Park and then around Ala Moana Shopping Center which was very busy and has some major construction going on to increase that mall.  

            I drove around the Hilton Hawaiian Village where they are building another tower, and the road is a mess. 

            I finally drove into the Hale Koa at 2pm.   There is a military MP shack on the ramp going up to the lobby.   The young MP lady said that she was from Denver, and I told her that it was not as humid there.   I checked in early.   I am in the original tower on the 6^th floor with a view of the mountains and the ocean from my balcony.   I walked around the complex which is busy with 4 weddings going on and two conferences.    There are two pools here; the small one near the lobby must be for adults, and the large pool had lots of kids.    There are lots of trees and green grass nearby which is rare in Waikiki.  I may have to sneak out there tonight for a cigar smoke.

            I parked my car in the Fort Derussy parking garage across the street.   I remember when it was just a lot, but now it is a two story garage which was pretty full.   The cost is $7/day for hotel guests and $18/day for all other military folks using that garage.    Next to the garage is the Fort Derussy Chapel, and I went over to see if Mass is offered but they only showed a 9am Protestant service on Sundays.  There was a wedding taking place (Asians of course) in the Fort Derussy Military Chapel.  I walked back across the street to the hotel and looked to see if Mass is offered on the lawn like they used to do it, but I saw that it is only offered in the summer.   So, I will have to drive to the east end of Kalakaua by Waikiki Beach for Mass tomorrow.    I may go to the 5pm Mass like I used to do after a day of running, biking, and swimming in the ocean.   I better not try that tomorrow before Mass or I may end up with a heart attack.  

            I walked around in the dark of the Fort Derussy park area and smoked a cigar.  I noticed that the sign listing all the Do Not’s for this military reservation did not say anything about not smoking.   So, maybe this federal property doesn’t abide the state rules preventing smoking.    After my cigar, I wandered over to the Hilton Hawaiian Village next door.  Boy, that place is overrun with Asians.  The place is packed.   There is a huge wedding party near the lagoon with hula dancing and much noise.  Crazy Asians having a party.

            Back at the Hale Koa, I looked in the Warriors Lounge which was packed earlier during happy hour.  I looked at their drink menu, and I see that beer and well drinks are only $3 during happy hour.  No wonder the place was packed with old, fat, retired military.   I looked in at 8:15pm, and there were only 3 people in there.  The sign said that there was supposed to be a comedian on Saturday nights, but there was no sign of him.  I wonder what happened.  I stopped in the PX again which is six floors below my hotel room.  It was busy.   I bought a bottle of wine that is on sale.  Geez, these military retirees act stupid at the checkout.   They want to chit chat and hold up the line. 

            Now for a night cap of Pinot Noir wine.