First day and just trying to slow down....

We spent the first day just trying to slow down. We did get a room at the Hale Koa....with a full ocean view and a price to go with it. This morning we were moved to another room that is a little less expensive and still have an ocean view.....a Partial Ocean view and is the tower with construction going on. So room is not as nice and will probably be 'renovated soon after we leave. (Hopefully not because we have been here.) But because it is just a place to stay at night it really is not a problem.

We went out this morning and did some walking around. We went to the International Market place and down Kalakaua Blvd. (It is still New York with a beach.) Back to Fort DeRussy and the US Army Museum. The last time we were here (15 years ago) it was being worked on.

It was originally a bunker from WWII. A very well constructed bunker. It was scheduled for demolition and the company went bankrupt before they could do the work. The next try....a wrecking ball was used and the company finally gave up. It was constructed to withstand any thing.......and did.

The museum now has a wonderful collection of things from WWII and the units from Hawaii. There is also a display of all the Medal of Honor holders and those awarded the Distinguished Service Cross from the Hawaiian Islands. Another of the displays is the only exhibit of its kind, showcasing General Shinseki's military career. Originally from the island of Kaua'i, General Shinseki is the first Japanese-American soldier to become the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. It took a while to go through it because Tom and I read almost all of the tags. Boy! did the air conditioner work....that is the coldest I have been in August in a long time. Next time I am making sure I have my pashmina (shawl) with me!!

We also spent some time just looking out to sea....and what a site it was. There was all kinds of traffic.....Good thing they did not need a traffic cop!... There were different kinds of boats all in the same view.

Latter in the day there were beautiful sail boats to watch. Who wouldn't love to look at this.....