Just outside of Honolulu, Hawai’i is a place that lives in infamy, the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor.

Today the ship has a large memorial built around it and serves as a monument to the Americans that gave their lives on that fateful December day.

Apparently the Arizona is still leaking oil drop by drop into the sea, and the locals claim that each is a tear of the fallen.

The sailors above are participating in a reenlistment ceremony. They serve on the USS Carl Vinson.

This post is part of the UpTake Monday Museums, Monuments and Memorials Series.

Photo: Official U.S. Navy Imagery via Flickr

Aloha Santa

A month of holiday activities is planned for visitors to the Outrigger Hotels in Waikiki, (Honolulu, Oahu) Hawaii this December.  Highlighted by  Santa Claus’s arrival via outrigger canoe, there will be fun for guests and even some events open to the public starting December 1.

FREE PUBLIC EVENTS:

December 1 – 5 pm, Outrigger Reef on the Beach

Take part in an island-style tree lighting ceremony in the hotel lobby of the Outrigger Reef on the Beach, followed by festive holiday entertainment by Halau Ka Hale I O Kahala.

December 11 – Saturday, 9 am, Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach

Welcome the world’s most famous elf as he arrives via outrigger canoe on the beach in front of the Outrigger Waikiki hotel. Keiki from Halau `O Pua Kahale will be on hand to greet Santa with a gift of hula. The arrival will be followed by complimentary photo-taking with Santa in the hotel lobby. Read More »

On Nov 24, Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band are all set to bring Summerzcool to Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Summerzcool tour is heading towards a grand finale with the upcoming December release of Buffet Hotel - Jimmy Buffett’s latest album based on a musical experience he had in Timbuktu, Mali.

Summerzcool Tour, Jimmy Buffett

Parrotheads won’t mind shelling out for Jimmy Buffett tickets and checking-in for the Buffet Hotel experience at MSGNYC. But that’s not all a Parrothead does.

A loyal Parrothead, in addition to being a fan and groupie whenever possible, also must experience an authentic Jimmy Buffett-style state of mind on an island vacation. Where better to do this than in Hawaii?  Read More »

USS Arizona Memorial

Pearl Harbor is the #1 most popular tourist attraction on the island of Oahu, but that is not why I visited.  I’m not a history buff, or interested in war trivia, or necessarily drawn to hallowed ground, so that’s not why I went either.  I went because I know and love many men and women who have served in the Armed Forces.  I have dated them, sprung from their loins, even considered becoming one myself.  (That’s for a different website.)  And so when I had some time in my schedule on Oahu, I looked into visiting this national monument.

When I asked locals what I should know about going to visit Pearl Harbor, I was told without variation that I should “go early, to avoid the lines.”  The monument’s website is very clear about the process for your visit – pick up a timed ticket, wait in line, no bags or backpacks or even diaper bags allowed.  I succeeded in packing light, but not at arriving early.  I made it out to the visitor’s center at about 11:00 AM on a Friday in September.  There was no line.  I got a ticket for the tour starting in five minutes, so there was little wait.  And the center wasn’t very crowded, so the whole experience was…pleasant.

It is odd to say that this visit was pleasant because essentially you are visiting an underwater tomb. Read More »