Koko Crater Railway Trail (Stairs of Doom)

So Joe had been talking about doing the Koko Head hike (read climb of death) since I got to the island.  I had seen these stairs once before on an episode of Hawaii Five-O where the crazy characters were RUNNING up these stairs.  Upon arriving, I knew there was no chance of running these and walking/climbing would be trouble enough (though some people did run these).  The climb started off easy with a low-grade incline.  The incline gradually increased as we went until we came across a really sketchy bridge (we went across the bridge going up, but found a trail around it going down).

At the other end of the bridge, the ascent increased its steepness dramatically.  Let's just say there were many breaks taken (poor Joey stuck waiting on me).  This was not a climb for the faint of heart and we saw many people not making it to the top (and I thought I would be one of them).  The final ascent was awful, but once we made it to the top, the views were incredible.

From the top, you can see Hanauma Bay and the southeast corner of the island to the left and Diamondhead and Downtown Honolulu in the distance to the right.

Koko Crater with Sandy Beach in the background

The history behind the train line is a bit interesting.  I couldn't think for the life of me why there would be a one-way train line up a steep incline like this.  Apparently in World War II, a bunker was built at the top of Koko crater for a look-out.  They decided the most efficient way to get supplies up would be to build a train line.

Old bunkers and machinery

And since it took what seemed like forever to get to the top, we took the opportunity for some selfies until a kind passerby offered to take a picture for us.  Overall, very cool experience, but my legs were sore for DAYS after it.  Going up and down the single flight at our house was a serious challenge.  If you're of a really good fitness level, you would probably enjoy this hike, however it is definitely not for everyone.

Ko Olina Lagoons

Lagoon #2

We had heard great things from family and some of Joe's coworkers about the Ko Olina Lagoons.  These are a set of 4 man-made lagoons about 20 minutes from our house.  Each lagoon has it's own charm and the first 3 lagoons are between resorts and the ocean.  We parked at the 4th lagoon and walked down a nice, paved walking path to check out all of them and settled on the 2nd lagoon with it being the least crowded (the first lagoon was associated with the Disney resort there and was insanely packed).  We've been told there is another natural lagoon along a path at the end of the lagoons, but we didn't get a chance to check it out on this trip.

Talk about beautiful.  Each lagoon had it's own charm and character, but we thought this one was especially nice and peaceful.  Even on a Saturday, it wasn't overcrowded (now the parking lots...that's another story).  We spent the better part of a day laying out in the sun, swimming around the lagoon (didn't think to bring our mask and snorkel, next time!), and snoozing under the umbrellas.  An added benefit of this area is there are restrooms and showers at each lagoon and all of the resorts have restaurants you can stop in for lunch or dinner if you didn't pack a cooler.  Some of the lagoons have big lounge chairs and cabanas you can rent or wide open space to set up your own camp.  We did wish we had extra umbrellas though because it got hot, hot, hot by the time we left late afternoon.

Now it may have been because it was the least crowded or maybe it was at every lagoon, but being on a Saturday we were witness to many wedding pictures being taken.  I'm hoping their photographers are good at Photoshopping people out of pictures because there were some not so attractive beached bodies in the background of their pictures.

We really enjoyed this area, even if it was more designed for tourists than locals (though many locals take advantage of these areas as well).   We even ended up coming back for dinner at a great restaurant called Monkeypod that night.  One of the few letdowns of the area we are living in is the lack of established restaurants.  We have only found one or two that really give you the restaurant feel (most look like take-out joints with a few tables to eat at).  At Monkeypod, the food was great and we had an awesome spot on their patio near their live music set-up.  I'm not sure who it was they had singing, but she was very good.  And the sunset from the patio was out of this world (see below).  Right by the restaurant are a few shops that I'm sure I'll be visiting again during our stay in Hawaii.  Overall, it was a really awesome day and I can't wait to come back and spend some more time at the other lagoons or venture out to the natural lagoon.  There's also another spot near here called Paradise Cove that is known for its sea turtles swimming right up to people, but that adventure will be for another day...

Sunset from Monkeypod patio

Manoa Falls

Not one to leave a moment wasted, Joe wanted to continue our exploring during our first weekend.  We had heard great things about Manoa Falls and decided to check it out.  One of the funny things I'm learning about Hawaii is how you can be in a real urban and developed area and just a few minutes later you are in lush rain forest.  Manoa Falls was about 25 minutes from our house was very easy to find with its own parking lot, restaurant and gift shop just off a neighborhood in urban Honolulu.

Just starting the hike

We started the trail following the paved walk to the main path.  As I stated in the last post, this was Father's Day weekend (this actually WAS Father's Day) and the trail was very crowded.  That being said, it was still a very enjoyable hike.  20-30 minutes each way with a few lookouts over the creek and some neat tree formations along the way.  The area to see the falls was a bit small and crowded, but we had no problem working our way up to the front and seeing everything.  There is a nice water pool at the base of the falls, but there were warnings everywhere about the bacteria in the water (maybe just to keep people out?) which was a bit of a bummer (anyone remember swimming the Cascades in Blacksburg haha).

Neat tree formations along the trail

Bellows AFB Beach

Our first Saturday, Joe wanted to take me across island to a beach near Kailua on Bellows Air Force Base (about 1 hour from our house).  There is a public beach there as well, but we thought it may be less crowded on the military beach (ha...ha...lesson learned).  The water was incredibly beautiful and the sand like powder.  I don't think I've ever felt sand quite that fine.  It was a little choppy that day which was keeping a lot of people from water sports and swimming out very far.  We didn't think about the fact it was Father's Day weekend and there were people and screaming kids EVERYWHERE.  We walked a good way down to get a spot away from people and next thing I know there are squealing kids being buried by their dad directly in front of us.  For those of you that know of our curse, Joe and I can't go anywhere without screaming children immediately around us.

Joe had been here a few weeks before during the week and it was like a completely different beach, quiet and peaceful.  I think we'll definitely give this beach another shot, but maybe not on a holiday weekend.

Out with the old and in with the new

Our old home in Richmond 

After all the planning, packing, stressing, and praying, we have finally arrived and are happily living in Hawaii.  Joe had already been living in an Inn on post for a month and Molly had joined him a little over a week before I came.  When I landed, it was just after 2pm Hawaii time, but felt like 8 pm to me (did I mention we left for the airport at 5:30 am).  Exhausted is an understatement.  You hear about how long the flights are, but never have I had pain in my rear end  like I had on the flight on Dallas to Honolulu.  I was so happy when we landed, we could have been anywhere and I would have had a smile on my face.

New home in Ewa Beach

After landing, Joey took me by our house so I could check it out and drop off some of my luggage.  Our furniture didn't arrive until the next day, so the first night was spent in a hotel room on post.  I was very excited to see our place and all the amenities our community has to offer.  After seeing the house, I had to see our little pup.  I'd say Molly was very excited to see me too (I think many of you have seen the video on Facebook or Instagram).The first week went in a blur between the movers delivering all of our things, unpacking, organizing, getting my car, making things fit, etc, etc. With every car ride around the island, we find more things we want to check out an do.

Our goal is to get out and do something fun everything weekend and I will do my best to share our adventures on here.  We hope you enjoy our little blog and it makes our distance seem a little less.  Also, bear with me as I figure out this whole "blog" thing haha :-)