Traci Comes to Visit!

Last week, my sister Traci came to visit us! We've been looking forward to her visit since before we even moved to Hawaii. We've been waiting to do most of the touristy stuff with Tra, so we jam-packed it all into a fun-filled weekend.

Friday morning, we watched the sunrise, and Brent saved a starfish's life.

Then we went to the Laie Temple Open House.
We spent the rest of the day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Our friend Atu was able to get us good tickets to the nightshow "Ha: Breath of Life." Before the show started, Atu gave us a backstage tour. It just so happens that Atu is the main character in the nightshow, so he knew exactly how every prop was used in every dance - because he is in all of them! And to top it all off, he came out during the intermission and gave us all free pineapple delights (tropical rainbow sherbet with fresh fruit). Atu is the greatest. A few days later, we were walking around and happened upon this banner. It's Atu! He's kindof a big deal.

Saturday morning, we drove to Waikiki and ate at the Shorebird Breakfast Buffet. This buffet has been a family favorite for as long as I can remember. You get to eat fresh papaya and pineapple, Hawaiian sweet bread pancakes with coconut syrup, and lots of other things to your hearts content while you sit right on Waikiki beach.The view from our table. See the rainbow?

Next we went on over to Pearl Harbor and rode a boat over to the USS Arizona Memorial. It is a very hallowed and humbling experience. The warship, which still leaks 2-9 quarts of oil into the ocean every day, is the burial site for 1,177 crew members who went down with her on December 7, 1941. The memorial was built over the sunken ship, but parts of the ship are visible above the water.
Yes, we were brave enough to wear our Boise State gear all around town as the BSU vs. University of Hawaii game was being played in Boise. Some people gave us a hard time, like pretending they were all out of tickets at Pearl Harbor (at least for Boise State fans), but everyone was actually really nice and most just asked us the score and told us how great Boise State is.

We spent the rest of the day at the Swap Meet at Aloha Stadium (where UH plays! We were Boise State fans on enemy territory:). At the swap meet, local vendors and artists set up booths in a circle surrounding the entire stadium. Here is where the smart tourists go to buy all of their souvenirs and gifts. You can find everything at the swap meet, and for a fraction of the price that you would find on Waikiki or in Hilo Hattie's.We drove home by way of Haleiwa and enjoyed delicious pineapple burgers at Kua Aina.