Monday, Aug. 3

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Traditional welcome and meaning of 'Aloha'

Pearl Harbor native, Joan Rodby, demonstrates putting on the gas mask as she did in school

The panel of survivors (both mil and civ) and Japanese-American citizens

"Paddle" the captain's dog, oversees the catamaran.

View of Diamond Head, and surfers under full moon

Me, Russell, Hayley, and Ranger Dan on the cruise

Ranger Dan gives a re-creation timeline of the attack on O'ahu.

Me and Ed Ichiyama, member of the all Japanese-American 442nd who was part of Army to come upon Dachu. He tied in Holocaust with race war that was WWII.

Monday a.m. 8-3

Just finished a 45 min run down to the beginnings of Wikiki. I haven't actually made it down to the beach due to time. However, tonight we're taking a susnset cruise in Wikiki and seeing all the tourist stuff there.

Yesterday was awesome. We went to the Pacific Aviation Museum then went to the area of the USS Arizona Memorial. We ate lunch at the museum for the USS Bowfin... chopsticks and rice are not a good combo for me:)

After lunch, it was on to the Missouri, 'The Mighty Mo' which has seen service in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. It sits bow to bow with the USS Arizona. We saw the signing deck where the unconditional surrender was signed. I believe my Great-uncle Dutch was on board the Mo when the surrender was signed. I'll have to check on that!

Afterwards, we went to the USS Arizona Visitors Center. We viewed a film that payed tribute to those lives lost on Dec. 7, 1941. Prior to the film, one of the Japanese teachers said that they felt somewhat uncomfortable there. However, after the short film, they commented that the film did a good job at honoring the dead without recriminations and that they were honored to be there.

The Navy shuttled us by boat around Ford Island where we viewed the remains of the USS Utah and the monument to the USS Nevada. The Utah was sunk during the attack with 50 souls on board. It is Navy policy that all boats must offer honor to those dead by saluting the remains. I have a picture of Ranger Daniel Martinez saluting from our boat.

The USS Arizona was an awe-inspiring memorial. It is sunken in the middle (right over the Arizona's structure) to symbolize the initial defeat suffered and the lives lost at Pearl Harbor, but then rises on each end to symbolize the ultimate victory. The Tree of Life windows in the Hall of Names lets light in to shine on those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country.

After leaving the USS Arizona and Battleship Row, we then walked throught the USS Bowfin submarine. Definitely not a good place to be wearing a mini-skirt! Climbing through the passages proved interesting to say the least! Check out the photo of the pullout bunk stored between torpedos!

Now it's time for a shower and then get ready for a day of 'classroom' stuff at the Imin Center.

Pics from UH

More photos around my dorm

Sunday morning walk

It's 8:10 am. I just finished talking to Amanda on the phone. I got up at 6 am and made my out for a walk. I took some pictures of the area around my dorm and added a photo of a view of Phoenix from the plane window. Made it to the grocery store (15 min walk) to get some Dews. They are $1.40 in the machines here! E gads!!!!
Going to go explore the area near the dorm and then get ready for the tour of the USS Arizona, USS Missouri, and the USS Bowfin sub @ 11 am! More later...

Arrived in Honolulu

OK, by Hawaii time, it's 8:07 p.m. We are 6 hours ahead at home, so it's 2 a.m. So a Starbucks, a $7.00 turkey and pesto sandwich, a $6.00 order of breadsticks and water I'm finally in my dorm room and realized I've been up right at 21 hours.
As we came in to Honolulu, we flew right by Pearl Harbor. It was awesome to see the battle ships moored there and off in the distance the USS Arizona memorial could be seen. It was an awesome and inspiring sight!
Our shuttle driver pointed out the Punchbowl Cemetery and Diamond's Head. I plan to see both up close and personal:) The weather's rainy and stormy so I'm going to get off the computer and go to bed. Oh, by the way, I forgot my usb for my camera. Good thing I have an SD reader in my computer! I'll begin taking pictures tomorrow and uploading tomorrow night!
Tomorrow is the USS Arizona, USS Missouri, a special boat tour of Peal Harbor, USS Bowfin Submarine and dinner at the Japanese Consulate. Guess I have to wear a dress:(
Ponder that as I drag my weary bones to bed! Night all!

Sat. a.m. Oh my goodness

Well, got up and going. Left my house at 6:15. Things were going great... Yep! The Beemer broke down at mile marker 62 on I 26 East at 7:15 a.m. My lovely husband drove like a mad-man to come pick me up. We arrived at Charlotte airport at 9:20. I had tried to get someone @ the US Air desk to inform them of my plight, but all I got was "So sorry, no other flights open today. We can fly you tomorrow for $1,700.00!" Not just no, but happy heck no!!!
All I can say is 'God bless Demiti @ the US Air curbside desk!' He took my papers, took me inside and put me on the next flight to Phoenix. He said I would still make my connecting flight in Phoenix and that everything would be OK! I didn't cry, but it was close:)
Now, I'm sitting @ the gate B13 waiting to depart @ 11:23. I think I'm going to walk over to Bojangles and get a sweet tea. It may be my last for a while!