Recap: Oahu (w/pics!)

Crossing the Kaiwi Channel from the west end of Molokai to Oahu on 20 June was certainly the most pleasant channel crossing so far, reaching in 15 kt winds with 5-6 ft waves. The Honolulu arrival was memorable with the turquoise waters, city skyline, and lush mountain backdrop. Honolulu really does seem like a tropical version of Vancouver.

Approaching Diamond Head from the east

We secured a slip at the Ala Wai Marina, and did not have to have the vessel inspection, since we were only staying for 10 nights. We were mostly in Honolulu to prepare for the passage home, but we did manage to enjoy the island between boat work, provisioning trips, and visits to the West Marine. We had a very thorough and educational visit to Pearl Harbor, a nice day trip around the island up to the North Shore, a tasty visit to Chinatown (where manapua is the Hawaiian version of char siu bao - but it has shredded pork instead of char siu), some relaxing visits to Waikiki, and a couple of awesome BBQs at the Hawaii Yacht Club with the crews of S/V Dazzler, S/V Nero, S/V Moments and S/V Appa. We also saw an interstate for the first time since November. Between that and the unending blocks of ultra-luxury malls, we had a good dose of culture shock getting reacclimated to the big city.

A nice shot of S/V Moments from AEOLI's masthead

Hawaii Yacht Club

USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor

USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor

Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor

Taking our sweet fold up bike to the laundromat

Great live music at the Moana Surfrider Beach Bar

Waikiki!

Produce in Chinatown

Waimanalo Beach Park Lookout

Waimanalo Beach Park Lookout

Mokoli'i Island (Chinaman's Hat Island)

Our sweet car rental - Honda Fit!

Lanikai Beach near Kailua

Sunset at Haleiwa

AEOLI in the heart of the big city of Honolulu!

With all our boat projects completed (windvane parts replaced, chafe issues addressed, foulies waterproofed, other minor fixes) and our dry provisions acquired, it was time to get moving again on 1 July. We left the Ala Wai Marina and spent the night anchored at Kahe Point before heading across our final channel to Kauai.

Oahu Album