See ya Blog!

Today is the last day of grade 11! I'm so pumped, so is everyone else, as they should be! It's been just a lovely year but I'm excited for next year which is our last year of high school and i have awesome semesters! I can't wait for summer, i literally don't think I've been so excited for summer my whole life. Out of all the grades I've been in I honestly think that grade 11 has been the most challenging so far for me. Anyways today is my final article about Hawaii and I'd like to describe my trip to you in an overall topic!

Hawaii is the most beautiful place I have ever been, and it was an amazing trip. There was tons to do and there was tons of new experiences to check out. I want to go back so bad. My parents are planning a trip for next school year, but we don't know where we want to go, but i am trying to convince them that we should go to Hawaii. I think my dad would love it and so would Mackenzie. Mom and I no doubt would love to go back, but maybe to a different island just to see how their culture is and what there is to do there! There are 8 main islands in Hawaii and I've only been to one! I would like to go to at least 1 or 2 more. If i could go again though, i think it'd rather go with my family or just a few friends instead of a huge group because that way there are less people to worry about. In this blog, i think my goals have been achieved because hopefully most people get the general idea of Hawaii, and it's temperature, and things that you could possibly do when you are visiting there. Hopefully maybe I've inspired/convinced some of you to go there in the near future with maybe your families or maybe with your own families you have someday! I don't really have any ideas for the future besides next Wednesday, which is when i get out of this school and finish my exams! I'll be the happiest person alive when next Wednesday is finally over. So Thank you to everyone who read my blog, and who knows, maybe someday you'll take my advice, or maybe if you consider going to Hawaii you'll check out my blog again and take some of my advice. Good luck everyone on your exams and have a great summer! :) :)

LAST Outside Article:Honolulu Hawaii Top Attractions:

Waikiki Beach/ Waikiki Beach Walk.

One of the most breathtaking vacation destinations in the world, Waikiki Beach is a beautiful 2-mile white sand beach fronted by shopping, dining, entertainment and nightlife. Relax on the sparkling sands of Waikiki with a mai tai, and enjoy swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, kayaking, and catamaran and outrigger canoe rides in the aqua waters of the Pacific Ocean. The beach offers picnic areas, concession stands, and snorkeling and body board rentals. Stroll along the beautiful Waikiki Beach Walk for waterfront shopping, dining, entertainment and activities. Swim, surf, shop, eat, play and delight in the wonders of Waikiki!

Diamond Head State Park.

Towering over the southeast coast of Oahu and Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head State Park is the extinct volcanic crater and Hawaii’s iconic natural landmark. Created over 300,000 years ago, Diamond Head’s saucer-shaped crater spans 3,520 feet. Hike the challenging trail from the crater, up the inside wall of the extinct volcano, to the 760-foot volcanic summit and savor jaw-dropping views of the Oahu coast – from the white beaches of Waikiki Beach to Koko Head.

Waikiki Aquarium.

Located next to a living coral reef, Waikiki Aquarium exhibits 3,500 marine animals and aquatic plants, representing 500 species from Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. Explore the breathtaking coral reef exhibit, look into the eye of a zebra shark or giant octopus, and see reef sharks, colorful tropical fish, living corals, sea jellies, and endangered Hawaiian monk seals. Gaze at the graceful sea jellies in the Ocean Drifters Gallery. Face the giant sharks in the Hunters on the Reef exhibit. Check out the Edge of the Reef Exhibit and touch the sea life found along Hawaii’s rocky shoreline. Join the aquarium’s shark adventures, reef walks, and diving and snorkeling trips

Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona Memorial/ Battleship Missouri Memorial.

The history of Hawaii comes to life at Honolulu’s Pearl Harbor. Tour the legendary USS Arizona Memorial, commemorating the soldiers and crew who perished during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Take a guided tour of the sunken hull of Battleship USS Arizona and the museum, featuring WWII history exhibits and a documentary film. Celebrating US victory and the end of WWII, the Battleship Missouri Memorial is a living museum with exhibits, memorabilia and activities that tell the history of the world’s most famous battleship. Walk the Surrender Deck of the Mighty Mo, the site of Japan’s surrender to the Allied Forces.

Iolani Palace.

A National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu, Iolani Palace was the royal palace of King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani, last monarchs of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Tour this magnificent European-style castle and discover the history of Hawaiian royalty. Explore the Palace’s beautiful galleries with Hawaiian crown jewels, ancient regalia, and historic portraits and photographs, and the gorgeous grounds. Enjoy picnics and free Friday concerts on the beautifully landscaped courtyard or unique shopping in the Palace Shop.

Hanauma Bay.

Located along the southeast coast of Oahu, Hanauma Bay is a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park. The crescent shaped cove, protected from ocean waves, is one of the island’s top scuba diving and snorkeling spots with a rich coral reef and diverse population of marine life. Divers can explore the bay floor, the crater of an ancient volcano, or swim through the reef into deep water. The curved sandy beach at Hanauma Bay is a beautiful place for sunbathing, swimming, and picnics. Discover the scenic hiking trails along the coastline and ridge overlooking the bay and enjoy the breathtaking lookouts.

Plane Ride Advice

My favorite thing to talk about! Planes! WHOOOOOO! No just kidding i hate planes so much. I have been on a plane around 8-10 times, but I still hate them. The plane ride to Hawaii was a little bit longer than 8 hours, and from Vancouver to Hawaii it was over the ocean the whole time. I didn't know that until the plane ride back. The ride there wasn't as bad because I didnt know we were over water the whole time, but Jordyn decided to inform me before we left, just so i would suffer. The plane ride is super long, but the plane we went on had little tv on the back of each seat so we could watch whatever movie we wanted to for free. It was pretty sweet, but it was still a longgg trip, and i cannot sleep on planes. I can't no matter how hard i try. It's horrible. Our teachers were being super nice and decided to give us a weeks worth of homework, so I finished most of it on the way there to take my mind off the flying. It's really loud on planes so it's hard to concentrate. The bathrooms are really scary too, and i always have to go! I feel like the toilet is going to suck me up! Everyone else on the plane would be sleeping while i am wide awake just waiting for the moment those gas mask things are going to fly out of the top compartments. When we reached Vancouver from Hawaii, I was so tired I passed out and slept like a little baby. But then we had to get back on another plane to take us to Winnipeg, and again, i couldn't sleep. Awesome. The worst part about flying i think is when there is turbulence and taking off. I don't think landing is that bad, but that's what everyone else says is the worst. So if you haven't been on a plane before, be prepared, especially if it's a long flight. Unless you enjoy flying, you should bring lots of things to do so you can take your mind off the fact that you are up a million feet up into the air! Outside Article:
Agence France-Presse reported yesterday that Bahia Bakari, a 12-year-old girl from Comoros, is the lone survivor of Tuesday's Yemenia airlines crash. She clung to debris for 10 hours before being rescued. If your plane crashes and you find yourself floating in the ocean, what should you do?

Stay put. The biggest mistake stranded victims make is trying to swim. Body heat naturally creates a warm envelope of water around your person. Assuming you've crashed fully dressed, your clothes will help trap that envelope. But swimming—or panicked flailing—tends to flush out that insulating layer of water. It also needlessly depletes energy stores. Using the body's natural buoyancy is a better strategy. If you have a flotation device of some sort—a seat cushion or buoyant debris—just hang on tight. If not, you should float on your back with arms and legs extended. This technique won't work in rough seas, though, because waves will constantly crash onto your face. In that scenario, it is best to stay vertical with your head submerged, surfacing occasionally to take a breath. (This strategy, called "drown-proofing" should never be attempted in cold water because it significantly increases the risk of hypothermia. In cold, rough seas, treading water is unavoidable.)

There are only three reasons to swim. First, if you see buoyant debris, go for it. Second, if there are other survivors, you should congregate to share body heat and increase visibility to rescue crews. Third, the crash site can be a very threatening environment. Fire is common in downed airliners, and smoke and fumes can kill a would-be survivor in short order. There is often a massive pool of poisonous jet fuel around the plane as well. Crash survivors should get clear of these dangers by swimming upwind of the crash site and out of the range of any visible fuel. But don't go too far—rescuers will look near the crash site first. Once clear of the crash site and floating comfortably, the victim can start thinking about rescue. A lone plane crash survivor likely won't have much in the way of signaling devices, but a shiny object might do the trick. If a helicopter or other search craft appears, make a V shape with your index and middle finger and sight the rescuers through it. Using your other hand, catch the light on the shiny object and direct it into the V.

Worried about sharks? You are far more likely to die of hypothermia, drowning, exposure, or dehydration. But if you are an incurable selachophobe, you can minimize your risk by abstaining from bodily discharge (urine, feces, or vomit). If you can't hold it any longer, release it in small doses, letting it dissipate before releasing more.

The Boat Ride!

Today, I am going to talk about the night we went on a sunset boat ride. It was around 6pm, and we had arrangements to go on this little sunset ride on this little boat. The water was really calm and nice so everything looked like it was going to be awesome! It took us like 30 minutes to get the boat actually going out into the ocean, but when we got on, most of the other people who came on were drunk. I guess it was a cruise for just anyone, even though i thought it was just going to be our team. But there was a lot of other couples and groups of people that came on too. The one guy on the boat named Eric, was the guy who explained how things worked and what we would be doing! Apparently he was "hot" according to Breanne, but she thought everyone was hot on this trip so that's just Breanne. There was two other guys on the boats, and the one guy was the bartender. Yes, there was drinks on the boats, but no food:( Everyone on the boat (if they weren't drunk already) were pretty much smashed so it was kind of iffy, because you weren't sure if we hit waves if they would throw up on you or not. The boat was pretty big for space though, but it was still small and low, so whenever we hit a wave you'd get soaked. We took lots of pictures on the boat and the water was nice so it was a smooth ride. But after the beautiful sunset, it got really dark and wavy, and the boat started to rock a lot and we all started to freak, well, mostly me. It would be fine if we were in a lake and the boat tipped or i fell in, but not in an ocean, where i could get eaten by a shark! Oh! by the way, we saw a fin come out of the water when it got darker and stormy too, but we weren't sure if it was a dolphin or a shark..
So after i felt like i was going to throw up or cry, my mother goose had to settle me down, and then we headed back in to the beach because it was getting pretty bad. We were really far away though so it took a good 45 minutes to get back in! On the cruise my mom was talking to this young guy maybe about 20-30 years old. (Not good looking at all) But he was with all these girls and he was talking about how Dog The Bounty Hunter, and Beth, are his Aunt and Uncle. He started talking about them and how they give him money and bailed him out of jail once. He also said Beth's boobs were real?! Weird. Anyways, he was saying how he'd be on the next season of the show and we should watch it to see him. We all thought he was for real and got pictures taken with him and everything. Later we heard him giggling and telling all these girls that he just tricked a whole bunch of teenagers and their parents into believing that he was Dog's nephew! What a jerk! So we all ganged up on him saying he was a liar and then he just swore at us and started calling us little _____. Yaaaa, fill in the blank. But overall i guess the boat ride wasn't bad, but I don't really like being that far from the beach with no source of protection if it was to storm.

Outside Article:

What should you do if you are caught in a severe storm when boating with passengers?

Stay calm. The calmness of the skipper will help everyone.

Have everyone put on their life jackets.
Close all doors and openings on the boat. This will help reduce the amount of water that could be taken on board.
Have everyone dress as warmly as possible. It is harder to work when wet and cold.
If you are in fear of your life or loosing the boat send out a mayday on the radio.
Remember if the weather is too rough you may be safer not heading for shore. Strong winds and waves could push you into rocks.
If it looks as if the boat will sink have everyone on deck. You wouldn't want someone to be trapped below decks when the boat sinks.
*Do not stay aboard. Saving a person who stays aboard may be impossible*

Awesome, I'd be the one still aboard, don't worry, i can swim.

Lost Day!

When we were driving back from the pineapple plantation we got separated from the rest of the group. We ended up going for a tour of Hawaii because we got lost and couldn't find our way back to our hotel! It just wasn't good. Sandra Unger was driving, and my mom was in the front seat, with Betty, Jordyn, Breanne, and I in the back seat. We started panicking because we couldn't figure out where we were, then just gave up and toured around. We went to this one beach and there was a huge sea turtle beached up on the sand. It looked dead, but after staring at it for about ten minutes it opened its eyes and it was just sleeping! It still looked really sad, and it must of been hot just sitting up on the beach in the sun. There was tape around the area where the turtle was so no one could go touch it or bother it. Hopefully it ended up getting back into the water because i didn't want it to die :( Anyways, after that we just drove around and found this place that had a huge path through it with a whole bunch of trees, like a hike! So we decided to do that and it took like two hours. At the end there was a little water hole with a beautiful waterfall and some of us went swimming in it! Then we got hungry and tried to find a place to eat, and got to this little place and it looked really dirty, but we were hungry so we went in and got burgers and fries! When we finally decided to try and find our way back to the hotel, Breanne, Jordyn, and I were so hyper. We just kept talking and singing until our parents lost it on us because we were being really annoying. Then we shut up and tried to sleep the way back. We finally found our way back home and by the time we got to the hotel all of us were exhausted and just chilled for the rest of the night. It was pretty worth it though, we got to see alot of pretty sights and got to see over the whole island, I'm glad we got lost!

Outside Article:
10 Ways To Avoid Getting Lost

In A New City

1. Don’t panic

First of all, you are in a city, not an Amazonian jungle. There is food and shelter (and probably a McDonalds) on every corner. Relax. Everything is going to turn out just fine.

2. Ask the locals

Not only are people almost always willing to help, asking for directions gives you a great excuse to talk to folks if you are feeling lonely.

If you’re female and feeling a bit scared, perhaps ask a local woman. This is a good way to practice your foreign language skills anyway (always learn the most important words: ‘thank you,’ ‘hello’, ‘excuse me’).

Don’t worry about a language barrier. If you are reading this article, you are fortunate enough to know a language that is spoken all over the world, and a smile is universal.

3. Look for big landmarks

In cities like Chicago, New York, and Paris there are some pretty tall, famous buildings usually visible no matter where you stand that can help you get your bearings.

Even the roughest New Yorkers sometimes emerge from the subway and need to find the Empire State Building so that they can orientate themselves and continue to the Carnegie Deli.

4. Pack a compass

Break out your trusty old compass, or go old school and seek out the sun. No matter where you are in the world, the sun will always set in the west (I’m making the assumption you aren’t lost at the North or South Pole).

If you know the general layout of the city, you can walk until you reach a river, park or major avenue.

5. Check out the tourist information office

Even if you’re not lost (yet) drop by this helpful place, if for no other reason than to get a good map. These goldmines of free maps and advice are typically located in airports and in train and bus stations.

6. Prepare in advance

If you are staying at a hotel that was recommended by your guidebook, there is often a city map in the book with the hotels marked on it.

While you are biding your time on the 10 hour train, bus, or airplane ride to your next destination, see where your lodging is on the map in relation to where you are coming into town and make a plan on how you will get from point A to point B.

7. Grab a business card

When you first check into your hostel or hotel, always take a business card (so you have the address and phone number with you at all times-to show taxi drivers, etc.) and also find the hotel on your map and mark it.

8. Retrace your steps

Always make a mental note of landmarks as you pass them, so that you can retrace your steps later if necessary.

9. Find a local pub or bar

Sit down. Take a load off. Have a drink. Repeat. You will start to feel better, I promise. And of course, you can then ask the bartender or friendly local next to you for some help.

10. Stay lost

You’re traveling! You’re in a city! How lost can you really be? Open yourself to serendipity and just wander around, taking in the sights and soaking up the vibe of the new place.

One of the best things about travel is embracing the unexpected, and being ‘lost’ is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, in most cases losing your bearings leads to a fun adventure.

Imagine you’re a contestant on the Amazing Race, even though there’s no prize money at the end.

USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park.

If there was one thing i hated about Hawaii, this museum was one of the things. The only thing good about it was that it was cold in there which was nice to get away from the heat. It was really dark in there and we had a foreign tour guide that just talked the WHOLE time. There was really never a time where he stopped talking. It was kind of annoying, but we were all bored by like the first 5 minutes and wanted to leave, but again it was something we had to do on the trip so we just had to suck it up. When he was talking some of us would wander off and take pictures with the mannequins beside the planes which we weren't supposed to do, but we did it anyways. I think we were there for about an hour until we left because we were all soooo bored. There was a little souvenir shop so we screwed around in there for a bit too. We pretty much just learned about the war and how the planes worked. I was never really interested in history so it just wasn't something that I enjoyed during that trip.


Outside Article:

The USS Bowfin Past and Present

USS Bowfin is fortunate that she did not end up as scrap metal or as target practice for another military ship. BOWFIN is one of only fifteen U.S. WWII submarines that survived this dreaded fate. Today, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, home to the historic USS Bowfin, is a reality because of the hard work and dedication of individuals from both the military and the civilian communities. Her story and the story of the U.S. Submarine Force, past and present, lives on ...
In early 1972, World War II submariner and Pearl Harbor survivor ADM Bernard A. "Chick" Clarey (CINCPACFLT) and RADM Paul L. Lacy (COMSUBPAC) approached the Secretary of the Navy about acquiring BOWFIN as a memorial to the U.S. Submarine Force at Pearl Harbor.

With the assistance of Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye, the acquisition was secured. She was then towed to Pearl Harbor's Naval Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility.

In 1978, a non-profit organization, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association (PFSMA), was formed and chartered. On 3 August 1979, they formally acquired BOWFIN from the U.S. Navy. This acquisition was made possible through an act of Congress passed on 10 August 1956. This act authorized the Secretary of the Navy to transfer by gift or otherwise, on terms prescribed to him, any obsolete vessel of the Navy to any U.S. non-profit organization who would promise to restore and preserve the vessel at no cost to the U.S. government and its taxpayers. There were also other conditions that had be observ

ed in accordance with receiving BOWFIN. One condition mandated that no part of the submarine may be activated for the purpose of nav igation or movement of the submarine under her own power. Another condition stipulated that BOWFIN must be maintained in a manner that would not be a discredit to the U.S. Navy or to the proud heritage of the submarine.

Later that month, the submarine was towed to Pier 39, near downtown Honolulu, where a group of volunteers from the civilian and military community alike, eagerly assisted in cleaning and restoring BOWFIN after years of neglect. The Dillingham Corporation did much of the preliminary restoration work as many Navy League memb

ers worked hard to secure the necessary funds to support the project. Meanwhile, PFSMA continued to search for a suitable permanent mooring site.
In December 1980, BOWFIN was moved to her present day location at Pearl Harbor, next to the Arizona Memorial Visitor Center -- a fitting location for the submarine that had been launched a year after the attack on Pearl Harbor and nicknamed "The Pearl Harbor Avenger." BOWFIN became the centerpiece of the new "Bowfin Park." On 1 April 1981, BOWFIN officially began her new career as a "museum ship," and welcomed her first visitors on board. By 1985, over one million visitors had walked on her decks, learning about what life was like for the submariners of WWII. In 1986, BOWFIN was named a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Pearl Harbor

There's really not much to say about Pearl Harbor but I'll tell you what we did anyways! I was kind of excited to go there because I thought it would be interesting and maybe teach us about the history of Pearl Harbor, but it really wasn't interesting at all. We got there and it was really hot, but i guess what can you expect from Hawaii. We had to dress appropriately with closed toe shoes and we weren't allowed to wear clothes that weren't fully covering your upper body. So we weren't allowed to wear bathing suits, which sucked because we were used to wearing bathing suits all day because it was super hot. When we got there we watched this 30 minute video about why Pearl Harbor happened and the events of the bombing. When that was over we had a tour guide for our team and he took us through a submarine that showed us where the people stayed when they went in it and how small of a space it really was. Then they kind of just showed us around the park, then just let us go on our own to get some food and look at the souvenir shops. Honestly, the only thing i was really interested in at souvenir shop was chocolate bars. Actually, come to think about it, the only thing i liked about that whole tour was looking forward to eating after wards. We got taken on a boat as well across to this ship, and we could see all the fish in the water and the ship that got sunk at the bottom of the little bay! All we really did there was screw around and take pictures and complain about how we didn't want to be there. We had to be there for a full 3 hours, but by the time we got to leave everyone was SO happy. If you are really interested in history and about the war and why the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, you should go there, but if your like me and don't really care, don't go.


Outside Article:
The attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, took place on December 7th 1941. The attack on Pearl Harbour was called a "day of infamy" by President FD Roosevelt. It was to bring the United States of America into World War 2

The air attack was led by Commander Mitsuo Fuchida. The first wave of planes consisted of 183 fighters, bombers and torpedo bombers. It started its attack at 07.55 a.m. The second wave had 170 planes in it and attacked Pearl Harbour at 08.54 a.m.

They took off from the aircraft carriers Akaga, Kaga, Hiryu, Soryu, Zuikaku and Shokaku. By the time the war ended, all six had been sunk by the Americans along with all the other Japanese capital ships involved in the attack.

The pilots in the first attack used a radio station’s mast near Pearl Harbour to home in on. The first casualties were 35 American servicemen who were having breakfast at the Army Air Forces’ Hickam Field - a 550lb bomb hit their dining hall.

The most serious casualty was the USS Arizona. One torpedo and eight bombs hit her, 1,760 lbs. of explosives, as she lay moored up at Ford Island Naval Station. One bomb is thought to have pierced the forward deck setting off over one million pounds of gunpowder. 1,177 men were killed on the Arizona alone.

Those who survived on the USS Nevada – moored directly behind the Arizona and badly damaged in the attack - claimed that the Arizona was launched up to ten feet into the air as a result of the huge explosion that tore her apart and sunk within nine minutes. One witness on the Nevada said that the Arizona was broken in two before she sunk. Along with the Arizona, the Utah and the Oklahoma never sailed again but all the other ships damaged in the attack did sail again once repairs had been successfully carried out.

Ships damaged or lost at Pearl Harbour

USS Detroit	Slight damage
USS Raleigh	Heavy damage
USS Utah	Capsized
USS Tangier	Slight damage
USS Medusa	Slight damage
USS Curtis	Moderate damage
USS Nevada	Heavy damage
USS Arizona	Sunk
USS Vestal	Heavy damage
USS West Virginia	Sunk
USS Oklahoma	Capsized
USS California	Sunk
USS Oglala	Sunk
USS Pennsylvania	Heavy damage
USS Downes	Heavy damage
USS Shaw	Heavy damage
USS Cassin	Heavy damage
USS Maryland	Slight damage
USS Tennessee	Heavy damage
USS Helena	Heavy damage

Snorkeling - Hanauma Bay.

Snorkeling was one of the things we did when we were in Hawaii. It was kind of a cloudy day the day we went, but we got onto a bus and drove out to Hanauma Bay anyways. It took quite awhile to get there, but on the drive there we got to see a lot of huge houses and get closer to diamond head. When we finally got to Hanauma Bay it was on the top of a hill and to get to where all the snorkeling was we had to walk down the hill which took forever! (Yes there was a lot of walking on this trip!) When we finally got to the bottom of the hill we had to go through this tutorial of how to snorkel. It was about a twenty minute video, and the chairs were metal and really hard on the bum! The video outlined mostly the dangers of snorkeling but also some of the ups, and also the design of Hanauma Bay. The video freaked us all out, because it pretty much said if you go out too far your pretty much dead. Oh and also if you get caught in current and hit coral you could get knocked out and possibly drown. Yep it was a real persuasive video. But i put my big girl panties on and decided to just say to hell with it and go anyways! So we went down to the beach and had to make sure all of our gear fit just right and were ready to go. We went out in twos, and it was amazing! There was rumors told to me that you could touch the fish but i didn't believe that because it didn't seem realistic that fish would come near you, but they did. There was so many fish of different colors and types, and they were so close you could nearly grab one. They rubbed against you sometimes which would freak me out. My best friend Jordyn was absolutely terrified of snorkeling and she went in for like ten minutes and came right back out and refused to go back in again, what a shame. Everything was just so colorful and beautiful! Whenever i swam over a reef though, i got really nervous because apparently that's where all the eels and stuff like that lives, and I DID NOT want to see one of those ugly little things. It was pretty wavy that day so it was hard to swim, and it was kind of scary because you didn't know what part of the water you were in or where your friends all went, but it was still beautiful and an amazing experience. When we finished snorkeling you felt super stiff from all the salt water and really tired from swimming against the current. It was a great experience and I would seriously recommend any hot trip you go on, to go snorkeling because it's something you will never forget.

Outside Article:

Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay

Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay is truly experiencing paradise. The crystal blue ocean crater is full of bright and diverse species of fish, rays and turtles. Even the most inexperienced snorkeler can have a great time swimming with the Hawaiian wildlife in Hanauma Bay.

Friendly Sea Creatures

Unlike other top snorkeling spots, the sea life in Hanauma Bay is not afraid of humans. This makes for some exciting snorkeling in the area. You can get up close to the turtles, tropical fish, eels and other sea creatures. There are more than 450 colorful tropical fish in the area, as well as octopus, crabs and eels.

By purchasing an underwater camera, you can take great pictures of

the colorful fish and other sea creatures. It will make your trip to Hanauma Bay all the more memorable.

Snorkeling in the Bay

Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay is very simple. There is rental equipme

nt available on the beach if you don’t have your own. If you are a first time snorkeler, you will receive some brief instructions on maneuvering around, and a reminder to treat the wildlife with respect.

There are basic safety precautions to take when snorkeling in the bay. Visitors are asked not to touch the wildlife, or the coral. If you see a mother creature with her babies, swim away from the area very carefully so as not to disturb them. Also, when you are in the presence of the wildlife, make sure to

use smooth and calm movements. Jerking, quick moments can frighten the creatures.

Snorkeling Basics

If you can swim, then you can snorkel. Snorkeling requires no special training. You won’t need to take snorkeling classes before arriving at Hanauma Bay. The instruction you receive just before entering the water will be enough. This training will cover how to use the equipment, basic snorkeling safety and information on what to look for in the bay. Make sure to snorkel with a buddy at all times, for safety’s sake.

Snorkeling Equipment

When you rent snorkeling gear, there are only two basic pieces of equipment that you’ll need. A snorkeling mask allows you to clearly view the sights under the water. When you choose your mask, make sure that it fits well and is comfortable. To try on the mask, push the mask against your face without using the strap. If it stays on your face, unsupported, than it is making a good seal and will be perfect for snorkeling.

The jury is out on whether or not fins are necessary for snorkeling. The snorkeling in Hanauma Bay is shallow and easily accessible without fins. Fins will propel you through the water faster, but their movement can scare off fish and other creatures.

Wildlife Safety

Before entering the park, you will be asked to watch a safety video. This video will let you know the guidelines for using the bay, and also instructions for interacting with the sea creatures.

Basically, you are not to touch the sea life in bay. Even the coral, which appear as rock beds, should not be touched. Coral is very sharp and scrapes and abrasions caused by the coral can be painful. Also, touching the coral can cause a spread of harmful bacteria that can kill it.

Feeding, touching or disturbing the sea creatures you see while snorkeling can cause them distress. Remember, the animals in the bay are there to see and not touch.

Dole Pineapple Plantation

The Dole pineapple plantation was HUGEEEE! It really wasn't that fun though. It was a pretty hot day, and when we got there all we did was get on this little train that took us for about a 30 minute ride around the plantation with some little recorded voice telling us about all the facts and history of the pineapples. When we got off i was pretty tired, because it was so boring. Then we went inside where it was cool and it felt so good because it was super hot outside. There was pineapple drinks you could buy, pineapple floats, and pineapple ice cream. Have you ever heard of pineapple ice cream? I haven't. I don't even like pineapple so i find that super weird. A few of the girls tried the ice cream and said it was pretty good, but i just don't think i could force myself to eat ice cream that tastes like pineapple. However, i did get the nasty pineapple juice just because I wanted the sweet Dole pineapple cup! I still have it today :) I suffered through drinking that juice just to get that little cup! There was this maze at the plantation as well, and i'm pretty sure the maze was shaped like a pineapple. It was a race to try and find certain pictures that we had to draw. We pretty much ran through the maze like little kids, and i regret it because it was so hot and i was pretty much drenched in sweat. After the maze we went inside again and bought a few souvenirs. We bought a coffee cup and candy for Mr. Cochrane and an apron for Mrs. Bailey. Mr. Cochrane ended up sharing his candy with the class when we got back, and I'm not even sure if he tried any himself! What a shame. If i went back to Hawaii I probably would not go back to the Pineapple Plantation because it wasn't that fun and i really just don't enjoy pineapple.
P.s. I felt like being colorful today.

Outside Article:
Dole Pineapple Plantation is a very popular attraction that introduces over 900,000 visitors a year to Oahu. This touristy complex consists of a gift shop, ornate gardens, and dole plantation maze. Dole Pineapple Plantation's educational tour emphasizes on agriculture, the history of pineapples in Hawaii and how it has changed from the old day to the modern day.

Pineapple Garden Maze

The top highlight of Dole Pineapple Pavilion is the world's largest maze which offers exciting experience. The pineapple garden maze was built from 11,400 Hawaiian plants. Visitors can practice th

eir "navigational skills" while having fun seeking the six hidden stations located within the maze. You can get lost in the maze as it covers 2 acres and contains 1.7 miles of pathways. It usually takes 15 to 30 minutes to walk through the maze.

Useful Information

• Open daily 9 AM - 5:30 PM
• Expect to spend around 90 minutes to fully have fun
• Restrooms, gift shops, snack bars, and dining room available
• Located at 64-1550 Kamehameha Highway near Wahiawa in Central Oahu
• From Waikiki, take H1 West to H2 North. Continue to Kamehameha Highway (99). Dole Plantation is located at 64-1550 Kamehameha Highway. Approximately a 40-minute drive from Waikiki.
• For more information visit www.doleplantation.com

Kahala Mall

I love love love love to shop. It was almost what i was looking most forward to for the whole Hawaii trip, which is pretty sad. I love big malls, and this one was four stories high! It was called Royal Hawaiian Center. It has so many stores that I like like Lulu lemon, Hollister, Abercrombie and Fitch, etc. Breanne Unger, my mom and I went together and we only had an hour and a half so it wasn't enough time, but it was enough for me to spend all my money. I found tons of clothes that i wanted and bought them. Poor Breanne just following me around barely got to buy anything. When we were done shopping we just kind of walked around because we kept getting lost. We walked by stores like Guess, Lacoste, Gucci, etc. Breanne and I went into guess just to see how much something would be in a store like that. We walked in an i started grabbing purses and looking at the prices and touching them, and meanwhile the guy who was working was just staring at me like i was some homeless person. Mom told me that in super expensive stores like that, they don't want you touching anything unless you know for certain that you are going to buy it. Anyways, Breanne and me looked at this little tiny wallet in Guess, and GUESS how much it was! $1500 dollars. Isn't that insane? The wallet was like the size of my hand, and that is small. Would you spend that much money on something like that? I ended up spending a lot of money in Hawaii at the mall, on souvenirs, and at little box stores. Everything in Hawaii was pretty expensive, but i can understand why. They could charge so much money for stuff because tons of people go there and lots of people love to buy stuff, especially from Hawaii! In the mall I bought a pair of super comfy lulu Lemon shorts, they were so nice and really expensive. I wore them a lot and I can never find them in any other lulu lemon stores around here. I always wore these shorts to gym, but one day I went to get them out of my gym bag and they were gone. Someone stole them. That day was just not a good day, I was raging. So whoever stole my shorts, and happen to read this blog, PLEASE give them back.

Outside Article:

Royal Hawaiian Center, formerly Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, is a four-level, open-air commercial retail complex located near the center of Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii. At present, Royal Hawaiian Center occupies more than 310,000 square feet (29,000 m²) and extends across three blocks of Kalakaua Avenue. In July 2005, on the eve of its 25th year in operation, work began on an extensive $115 million renovation program. By June 2008, renovation and expansion work were declared complete. In addition to renovation work on the physical structure, Royal Hawaiian Center has also undergone significant changes in its identity. Since completion of renovation, Royal Hawaiian Center has begun to emphasize its role as a gathering place for both visitors and local residents alike, not merely for its commercial appeal, but also its notable cultural features and historical significance. [5] At the heart of the complex, Royal Hawaiian Center has a 30,000-square-foot (2,800 m²), ethno-botanically landscaped garden called The Royal Grove, a feature inspired by Waikiki’s historical Helumoa coconut grove, which once had more than 10,000 coconut trees. Royal Hawaiian Center regularly hosts performances of Hawaiian story-telling, dance and music in The Royal Grove.

According to the Royal Hawaiian Center website, the complex houses the largest concentration of flagship stores in Hawaii including Cartier, Hermes, Salvatore Ferragamo, Bvlgari, bebe, LeSportsac, Rolex Kaimama Kea, Kate spade, Tourneau, Juicy Couture, and Fendi. Altogether, Royal Hawaiian Center has 110 shops and restaurants, including local and specialty retail establishments, ten anchor restaurants, several casual food eateries, and Waikiki nei, a permanent theatrical venue.

The Royal Hawaiian Center property is owned by Kamehameha Schools, and is currently the largest real estate asset of the Kamehameha Schools trust.

Diamond Head

Diamond Head is an inactive volcano that our volleyball team went hiking up. It was just not a good experience. It was the hottest day of the whole week we were there and none of us really wanted to go. We made sure to dress according to the weather and dress in clothes that we would be able to walk in and be comfortable. When we started walking it wasn't so bad, but after awhile of being in the sun it just started to get ridiculous. Everyone was sweating so much because it was super hot out and everyone was tired and sick of doing it. It was pretty much all up hill the whole time and we had to go through tight dark spaces and squeeze through. My mom liked going because she likes going on things like that for exercise but I was exhausted and just wanted to curl up somewhere and sleep, or anything that would prevent me from having to walk up this volcano. The day before that hike i bought a Hawaiian anklet that i loved so much and got a good bargain on, and for some reason i decided to wear it on the hike and guess what? I lost it. I was so mad, and I'm still quite disappointed in myself for my stupidity. But anyways, when we finally got to the top of the volcano (Thank God) it was really beautiful. You could oversee almost the whole island and see the ocean so well. Everything was so colorful and pretty and it really made you think, maybe this hike was worth it after all. Just kidding it still wasn't because we were only at the top for about 15 minutes. So if you go to Hawaii hiking up Diamond Head is not something i would recommend to do unless it's not too hot, your in shape, and prepared.

Outside Article:

Diamond Head is part of the complex of cones, vents, and their associated eruption flows that are collectively known to geologists as the Honolulu Volcanic Series, eruptions from the Koʻolau Volcano that took place long after the volcano formed and had gone dormant. The Honolulu Volcanic Series is a series of volcanic eruption events that created many of Oʻahu's well-known landmarks, including Punchbowl Crater, Hanauma Bay, Koko Head, and Mānana Island in addition to Diamond Head.

Diamond Head, like the rest of the Honolulu Volcanics, is much younger than the main mass of the Koʻolau Mountain Range. While the Koʻolau Range is about 2.6 million years old, Diamond Head is estimated to be about 150,000 years old and extinct for 150,000 years.

The eruption that built up Diamond Head was probably very brief, lasting no more than a few days. It was probably explosive, since when the cinder cone was originally formed, the sea level is thought to have been higher and the vent burst erupted over a coral reef. Another factor probably contributing to the eruption's explosive nature was that rising magma would have come into contact with the water table. The eruption's relatively brief length is thought to explain why the cone today is so symmetrical.

A nearby eruption that took place at about the same time as the Diamond Head eruption was the eruption that built the Black Point lava shield. Since the type of eruptions that built Diamond Head tend to be monogenetic, geologists don't believe Diamond Head will erupt again.

Temperature/Climate

When we left from Virden it was early in October and absolutely freezing, gross weather. We were all happy to be leaving Virden for this trip. When I first stepped out of the plane into the airport of Hawaii I instantly noticed a change in temperature. It was super humid and a little dim because it was night time. Everyday we were in Hawaii the weather was super hot. There was no point in trying to do your hair because it would just poof up from the humid air. When we would be touring around it would all of a sudden start pouring. I was prepared because i was aware that Hawaii had a lot of rainfall at random times. So it would start pouring and we would all get soaked, but it wasn't a cold rain it was still hot and sunny. Then when it would stop raining you'd be dry in like ten minutes with your clothes sticking to you. One day Jordyn, Cassidy and I felt like laying by the pool for awhile and I fell asleep. When I woke up it was absolutely brutal because I was so burnt and it hurt to move. Just so you know, put on extra sun tan lotion when you go to Hawaii. I am never the one to burn but in Hawaii I did. All of my friends burnt too, especially Jordyn, she looked like a little lobster. Anyways, I really enjoyed the weather in Hawaii and I wish Virden weather would be like that for one day, but at this rate it probably never will be.
Outside Articles

Honolulu experiences a tropical savanna climate with a mostly dry summer season. Honolulu has lots of sunshine most of the year. Temperatures vary little throughout the months, with average high temperatures of 80-89 °F (27-32 °C) and lows of 65-75 °F (19-24 °C) throughout the year. Temperatures rarely exceed 90 °F (32 °C), with lows in the upper-50's °F (~15 °C) occurring once or twice a year. Waters off the coast of Honolulu average 82 °F (27 °C) in the summer months and 77 °F (25 °C) in the winter months.

Annual average precipitation is 18.3 inches (460 mm), which mainly occurs during the winter months of October through March, with very little rainfall during the summer. Honolulu has an average of 270 sunny days and 98 wet days per year.


CBS NEWS -Tsunami hits Hawaii, but does little damage March 10-2011

(Japan tsunami)

HONOLULU - Tsunami waves swamped Hawaii beaches before dawn Friday but didn't cause any major damage after devastating Japan and sparking evacuations as far away as the U.S. western coast.

Kauai was the first of the Hawaiian islands hit by the tsunami, which was caused by an earthquake in Japan, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. Water rushed ashore in Honolulu, swamping the beach in Waikiki and surging over a break wall in the world-famous resort but stopping short of the area's high-rise hotels.

Waves about 7 feet high were recorded on Maui, and 3 feet in Oahu and Kauai. Officials warned that the waves would continue and could become larger, and a scientist at the tsunami warning center said there was likely damage to mooring facilities and piers.

Germaine's Luau

Oh where to begin. I had no idea what you did at Luau's until i went to Hawaii. The night we went there, everyone dressed up the best we could, and got on a bus and drove down to Germaine's beach. The bus ride there was a gong show because everyone going there was already drunk and really loud. The bus driver was really funny and he never stopped talking. He would ask us questions, give us facts, and make us sing the whole way there. After about an hour bus ride we finally got to the Luau. When we got to the beach we were greeted with traditional Hawaiian welcome of a shell lei and a friendly aloha kiss (kinda freaked me out.) After we found our seat that was reserved for us, there was lots of dancing on the stage of girls in grass skirts and even guys. We watched that and then we got kind of introduced to how everything works, then we all walked over to watch them prepare the Kalua pig. It was pretty nasty not going to lie, but guess what?! We ate it, yup awesome. It wasn't as gross as it looked. We ate so much food there i thought i wasn't going to be able to get up and walk out of there. After eating they called anybody who wanted to come up onto stage and learn how to do the hula called the Hukilau. It was actually really fun but with that many people watching you, and us being front row, it was kind of embarrassing since I can't dance to save my life. The luau taught me a lot about Hawaiian culture and how everyone just seems to be family who lives there.

Outside Article:
The Hawaiian Luau (from my booklet)

The traditional Hawaiian feast called the luau has always meant a medley of great food and refreshing beverages served in an atmosphere filled with the colorful music and dance of the islands and set against a backdrop of splendid Pacific sunsets. In ancient days, these gatherings were semi-religious in nature since they gave the people an opportunity to thank the gods for good fortune and to ask for a prosperous future. Indeed, the early Hawaiians celebrated most major events in the life of the village with a communal feast which was originally called an aha'aina, and which we now know as a luau. Even today, local families in Hawaii commonly celebrate weddings,anniversaries, the building of a new home, the launching of a new business, or the birth of a child with a luau.

Customarily, luau's are arranged around the ceremony of preparing and cooking Kalua pig, thought by the ancient Hawaiians to be the favorite food of the gods. Today, as always, a fresh pig is baked in a traditional imu to produce the tender, succulent Kalua pig, a genuine delicacy always served with Poi, the Hawaiian staff of life. And, as in the days of the old Hawaiians, Kalua pig, poi, lomi lomi, and all the other delicious foods found at a luau are eaten with the fingers, washed down with a variety of beverages, and accompanied by the colorful and graceful hula performed to the tropical sounds of the ukulele. Most importantly, the aloha spirit of the luau-festivity, companionship, relaxation and fun-remains at the center of a luau celebration. This is an experience too good to miss.


The History of Germaine's Luau
The story of Germaine's Luau began when Marcia Germaine, visiting from Chicago, was invited to a traditional Hawaiian family celebration, known as a luau. The uniquely flavorful food, traditional songs, rhythmic dances and abiding sense of Aloha wooed her to stay. She proptly sold all of her belongings and moved to Oahu to start her own "luau". In the early 1970s, the luau was held first at Sea Life Park, a popular aquatic animal park, overlooking scenic Makapuu Point and later at the Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki. In 1976, Germaine's moved to a sunny stretch of beach front property near Barber's Point Lighthouse, Where it remains today. During the early years, under the visionary guidance of Germaine's first master of ceremonies, acclaimed hula master John Piilani Watkins, the show developed into a visual extravaganza that majestically celebrated the customs and traditions of the Pacific.

Surfing

One of the days we were in Hawaii we went surfing. I was dreading going because I thought it would be really hard and boring but it turned out to be not that bad. The day we went it was really sunny and nice out. Our whole group went to the surfing shack on the beach near our hotel and met the surfing instructors. They were two young Hawaiian guys and they were kind of weird but they made you feel like family. They taught us the proper way of laying on your surfboard and getting up. We did practicing for about an hour, and then we finally got in the water. Surfing definitely was not as easy as it seemed. It took a lot of work to get up onto your surfboard. The surfboard was about twice the size of me and was hard to carry when you got out as well. I got up a few times but it was really difficult to actually stay up for a long time, especially in a big group. Everyone always went together and that caused problems because everyone would run into each other and when you get hit by the surf board it really hurt. We went surfing for about an hour until we all finally got sick of falling and getting beaten by surfboards. It was a good experience though, it's one more thing I can say I have done!

Outside Article:

Dolphins save surfer from becoming shark’s bait

By Mike Celizic

Surfer Todd Endris needed a miracle. The shark — a monster great white that came out of nowhere — had hit him three times, peeling the skin off his back and mauling his right leg to the bone.

That’s when a pod of bottlenose dolphins intervened, forming a protective ring around Endris, allowing him to get to shore, where quick first aid provided by a friend saved his life.
“Truly a miracle,” Endris told TODAY’s Natalie Morales on Thursday.
The attack occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 28, just before 11 a.m. at Marina State Park off Monterey, Calif., where the 24-year-old owner of Monterey Aquarium Services had gone with friends for a day of the sport they love. Nearly four months later, Endris, who is still undergoing physical therapy to repair muscle damage suffered during the attack, is back in the water and on his board in the same spot where he almost lost his life.
“[It] came out of nowhere. There’s no warning at all.
Maybe I saw him a quarter second before it hit me. But no warning. It was just a giant shark,” Endris said. “It just shows you what a perfect predator they really are.The shark, estimated at 12 to 15 feet long, hit him first as Endris was sitting on his surfboard, but couldn’t get its monster jaws around both surfer and surfboard. “The second time, he came down and clamped on my torso — sandwiched my board and my torso in his mouth,” Endris said.That attack shredded his back, literally peeling the skin back, he said, “like a banana peel.” But because Endris’ stomach was pressed to the surfboard, his intestines and internal organs were protected.

The third time, the shark tried to swallow Endris’ right leg, and he said that was actually a good thing, because the shark’s grip anchored him while he kicked the beast in the head and snout with his left leg until it let go.

The dolphins, which had been cavorting in the surf all along, showed up then. They circled him, keeping the shark at bay, and enabled Endris to get back on his board and catch a wave to the shore.