2012

Christmas December 2012 The Christmas season started off with us attending the Kapolei Electric Light Parade to see various vehicles decorated with thousands of lights. We also went to Kapolei Hale to see the tree lighting and dozens of donated trees all decorated differently. I also took some pictures of Waikiki all dressed up for the occasion.	Kaneohe Air Show September 2012 The Blue Angels returned to Kaneohe MCBH and we spent the day at the air show. Thankfully the weather cooperated and we were treated to a fantastic show.
Disney Aulani Resort September 2012 A friend visited from New York and she had a time share at the new Disney Resort on Oahu. So a group of us spent 5 days there celebrating both my birthday and our hosts. The resort was immensely luxurious and Makayla had a blast interacting with the characters.	Kualoa Ranch ATV ride September 2012 For my birthday we went to Kualoa Ranch and rode their ATVs. I had done the horse ride before, but this was vastly different since we were able to cover more distance in the same amount of time. We were able to see a large amount of various movie film sites, as well as incredible views of the mountains.
Kaulapapa August 2012 On my last day on Molokai I took a mule ride down to the settlement of Kaulapapa. This was the spot where the lepers were forcibly sent to and where Saint Damien and Saint Marianne cared for them. The views were majestic, but the feeling was somber after learning about the lives of the people who were sent there to die.	Molokai August 2012 I spent two days on Molokai at the end of my trip. Finally I had visited the last of the major Hawaiian islands. It was still relatively small compared to the other islands, but it was by far easier to navigate compared to Lanai. By far one of the neatest things was the coconut grove sunset surrounded by hundreds of palm trees.
Road to Hana August 2012 Decided to drive the Road to Hana again. This time it was raining heavily in the morning and the scenery looked vastly different with all of that water flowing. I took a few comparison shots showing the normal waterfalls versus them after heavy rain.	Lanai August 2012 I took a ferry from Maui to Lanai to spend the day on this tiny island. One day was pretty much all it took to see everything that I wanted to see. It was the first time that I felt "island fever" since moving to Hawaii. Most all of the driving required 4-wheel drive and I was covered in red dirt after it was over.
Maui Sunsets August 2012 Various sunsets around Maui for the 5 days that I was there. The sunsets just seem to be more consistent and vibrant compared to Oahu. Plus having the other islands in the background adds some variety to the endless ocean.	Haleakala Sunrise August 2012 I took a late night flight into Maui and drove up to the top of Haleakala. I spent the night in my rental car so that I had a guaranteed spot the next morning to see the sunrise. It was certainly something being above all of the clouds like that and seeing the sun slowly fill the crater below.
Kailua Beach July 2012 After doing the Lanikai Pillbox hike I needed to cool down by walking the beach. I hadn't been to Kailua Beach so I figured that would do the trick. A perfect blue sky, white sand and turquoise water. What more could I ask for!	Lanikai Pillbox Hike July 2012 The weather couldn't have been more perfect when I ventured out to do this short little hike in Kailua near Lanikai Beach. It was a quick trek up the ridge line of the mountain to a few old military bunkers. The views of the Mokuluas in the distance was amazing. The water was every imaginable shade and the beach was scattered with palm trees. Instead of stopping where everyone else was turning around at I kept going up and around and was treated to views of Bellows and Waimanalo Beaches.
Turtle Bay Sunset June 2012 It seems like I rarely get to see a North Shore sunset. I usually decided on something closer to home that isn't so far away. But after spending the day up on the North Shore exploring Malaekahana I decided to kill some more time so that I could catch the sunset. I ended up at Turtle Bay and watched it from there. Nothing spectacular since the clouds moved in fairly early, but still some neat shots.	Malaekahana Beach Park June 2012 Another section of the North Shore that I hadn't explored yet. This was a large crescent shaped beach that started off with a view of Goat Island and ended with a river emptying into the ocean.
Aunt Patti and Uncle Bob Vacation May 2012 Aunt Patti and Uncle Bob visit Oahu for a week. We see all of the sights including the Dole Plantation, Pearl Harbor, Polynesian Cultural Center, and the North Shore.	Nimitz Cove May 2012 This little gem so close to home has been hidden from me all this time. White sand, green grass and turquoise water. What more could you ask for. How about a shark right off the shoreline!
Waimanalo Beach Super Moon Rise May 2012 This moonrise was special because the Moon would be the closest to the earth for the year and would look the largest. Unfortunately the wind was unbelievable and even with a tripod it made it hard to capture a good shot.	Papailoa Beach to Chun's Reef April 2012 This short beach trek ended with a bale of Turtles sunbathing on the sand. I almost didn't spot them as their shells blended in with the lava rock I was jumping across.
Mokuleia Beach April 2012 I didn't plan on adventuring out this day, but the weather suddenly turned nice and I felt like taking a look. I only had my iPhone on me, but the photos came out ok. It was quite windy and there were a ton of kite surfers in the water.	Kawela Bay April 2012 A short stretch of beach between Waiale'e Beach Park and Kawela Bay that I hadn't explored. The most interesting part of the trek was when my slipper broke. There was a rough spot of lava rock I had to cross to get back to my car so I had to improvise. I had my own "Castaway" moment and used some dried seaweed rope to tie the sole to my foot!
Diamond Head Beach March 2012 A stretch of beach I had driven by a hundred times, but never got out to explore. One direction led to views of Doris Duke's Shangri La, the other led to views of the lighthouse beneath Diamond Head.	Ko Olina Sunset March 2012 One of my favorite sunset spots on the island partly because it is so close to home, and partly because it is fairly consistent with a spectacular show.
Kualoa Beach Park March 2012 Right across the street from the Kualoa Ranch is this large park. Plenty of open space and lots of different views. The Ko'olaus behind me, and Chinaman's hat in front of me. What a beautiful contrast.	Kahana Bay Beach Park March 2012 A breathtaking beach that I never noticed before despite driving past it countless times. In a car it is a blink and you'll miss it experience, but on foot it is amazing. The crescent shaped beach is surrounded by the mountains on both sides.
Kapa'ele'ele Trail March 2012 A short hike that offers views of Kahana Bay from above. It starts out a short distance behind the bay and steadily climbs up the mountain.	Waiale'e Beach Park March 2012 I did this beach trek early in the morning. There was road construction on Kamehameha Highway and I didn't want to wait. I pulled off at the first beach park I came to and started walking. I eventually ended up at Sunset Beach.
Laie Point February 2012 A small pice of land that juts out into the ocean up on the North Shore. There are small islands scattered just off shore and a nice plaque that explains the Hawaiian legend on how they got there.	Wa'ahila Ridge Trail February 2012 I did this hike early in the morning on SuperBowl Sunday. I figured it wouldn't be crowded since everyone was gearing up their parties. Plus I did it early enough that I still made it back in time to catch the game. This hike offered views on both sides of the ridge line as it ascended. Perhaps the best part were the strawberry guavas that I could snack on along the way.
Aiea Loop Trail January 2012 A friend told me about this hike a few years ago, but I just never got around to it. It was a nice loop trail that offered some spectacular views of the H3 about halfway in. You could see the tunnels going into the mountain and even make out the cars on the freeway.	Pearl Harbor Park January 2012 A park that doesn't look like much from the street, but offers a walking/bike path for many miles. One way heads behind the power plant and the other ends up behind some businesses in town. It offered a unique sunset since it really didn't look like it was setting into the ocean, but a lake or pond.
Honolulu Zoo January 2012 Makayla's first visit to the zoo. Seeing the animals through her eyes was amazing. Each one was something new she was seeing for the first time. It isn't the largest zoo I have been to by any means, but it was small enough that we could take her all around without her getting too tired.	Makayla's 1st Birthday January 2012 Makayla's big day. This was her 1st Birthday party and she had a blast. From destroying the birthday cupcake to ripping off the wrapping on her gifts. She is finally at that age where she is more interactive to be around.