I realized earlier this week, right after Day Light Savings kicked in and darkness started descending at 4:30 in the afternoon (bummer!) that not too long ago, Jimmy and I were toughin’ it out in magnificent Maui during the first week of November.
It was heavenly!
The best I can do now is to blog about Maui. One of my favorite quotes (Gandhi, you’re the man!) goes something like this: Thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become habits, habits become values, values become your destiny. Heavy stuff!
Thus, I am destined for the shores of Maui, one way or another, given Maui is consuming my thoughts. It’s time to put my thoughts into words, my words into action!
It was heavenly!
The best I can do now is to blog about Maui. One of my favorite quotes (Gandhi, you’re the man!) goes something like this: Thoughts become words, words become actions, actions become habits, habits become values, values become your destiny. Heavy stuff!
Thus, I am destined for the shores of Maui, one way or another, given Maui is consuming my thoughts. It’s time to put my thoughts into words, my words into action!
Actually, I lied; just a little lie. It’s Oahu we’ll be visiting today, not Maui. I covered Maui pretty extensively after our 2011 visit; every moment on this volcano turned lush tropical isle was blog worthy, from my Technicolor dream come true to the tiny town of Lahaini; from Maui's Makalua-Puna Point to the road to Hana; from Maui's Nakalele Blowhole to the back side of the road to Hana.
Pick one, any one, whenever you need a breath of warm topical air to brighten that cold dreary day putting a damper on your disposition. There'll be plenty of those to go around for a while.
I even did an ‘I Miss Maui’ post ten months ago when winter’s icy tendrils were sending shivers from my nose to my toes. There’s only one thing better than being there; that’s reliving the experience via pictures and shared memories.
While we were in Maui, Jimmy and I did some island hopping. We were a hop, skip and a jump away from the island of Oahu, and the historic Pearl Harbor. No way was I passing up the opportunity to tour the World War II Memorial there, not when we were so close.
Pick one, any one, whenever you need a breath of warm topical air to brighten that cold dreary day putting a damper on your disposition. There'll be plenty of those to go around for a while.
I even did an ‘I Miss Maui’ post ten months ago when winter’s icy tendrils were sending shivers from my nose to my toes. There’s only one thing better than being there; that’s reliving the experience via pictures and shared memories.
While we were in Maui, Jimmy and I did some island hopping. We were a hop, skip and a jump away from the island of Oahu, and the historic Pearl Harbor. No way was I passing up the opportunity to tour the World War II Memorial there, not when we were so close.
This was a moving memorial to the soldiers we lost fighting for our freedom.
My father enlisted in the Marines as a very patriotic seventeen-year-old “one year, one month, and one day after Pearl Harbor was attacked.”
If you’re interested, this link will provide you an inside look at the Memorial that rests atop the battleship USS Arizona. It went down along with 1,177 of her crew on the morning of December 7, 1941, the day Pearl Harbor was attacked.
But today’s post is all about Oahu’s Diamond Head Mountain. Amazingly, I missed blogging about that disastrous trip. My blog rarely keeps pace with my life, especially those parts of my life that don’t always go the way I planned.
Don’t tell me you thought my life was all peaches and cream. I readily utilize literary license to filter this travel thing so it looks like one big exciting adventure from one day to the next. I rarely complain about all the schlepping, all the waiting, all the sleep and luggage lost getting to from Point A to Point B, all while maintaining my blog. I'm sure you've got your own stuff at your end. Besides, I wouldn’t have it any other way!
I went with the flow despite my fashion debacle while touring Vienna, despite my breakdown while visiting Ireland, despite my run-in with the trolls my first day in Iceland. And now I’m going on the record that despite the killer hike up Oahu’s Diamond Head Mountain that left me lame for the next two weeks, I’d do it again if given the chance. Yes, I’m a stubborn old coot!
If you’re interested, this link will provide you an inside look at the Memorial that rests atop the battleship USS Arizona. It went down along with 1,177 of her crew on the morning of December 7, 1941, the day Pearl Harbor was attacked.
But today’s post is all about Oahu’s Diamond Head Mountain. Amazingly, I missed blogging about that disastrous trip. My blog rarely keeps pace with my life, especially those parts of my life that don’t always go the way I planned.
Don’t tell me you thought my life was all peaches and cream. I readily utilize literary license to filter this travel thing so it looks like one big exciting adventure from one day to the next. I rarely complain about all the schlepping, all the waiting, all the sleep and luggage lost getting to from Point A to Point B, all while maintaining my blog. I'm sure you've got your own stuff at your end. Besides, I wouldn’t have it any other way!
I went with the flow despite my fashion debacle while touring Vienna, despite my breakdown while visiting Ireland, despite my run-in with the trolls my first day in Iceland. And now I’m going on the record that despite the killer hike up Oahu’s Diamond Head Mountain that left me lame for the next two weeks, I’d do it again if given the chance. Yes, I’m a stubborn old coot!
We came, we saw, we conquered!
Only next time I’d hike Diamond Head first thing in the morning, then visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial.
It was hotter than hell by the time we got to Diamond Head, just after lunch! Rain had threatened all morning (which is to say the humidity had the upper hand when it came to my hair) at Pearl Harbor, than finally acquiesced to the trade winds that had carried the worst of the wet weather back out to sea.
It was hotter than hell by the time we got to Diamond Head, just after lunch! Rain had threatened all morning (which is to say the humidity had the upper hand when it came to my hair) at Pearl Harbor, than finally acquiesced to the trade winds that had carried the worst of the wet weather back out to sea.
They don't call Hawaii the Rainbow State for nothing. We saw this rainbow at Pearl Harbor.
From this vantage point, one mile to the summit seemed a walk in the park. The heat was obviously clouding my judgment.
This looks easy enough.
Before commencing our hike, we’d stopped to read the park sign, which boldly warned, “This is not a casual stroll in a tree-shaded park.” Sadly, we were convinced we were up for the challenge. No respiratory or heart problems at our end. Knee problems? Not at the moment.
Never been more ready!
They might as well have said, “I dare you!” to the twelve-year-old inside that knows no bounds when it comes challenges and cartilage in the knees. Suffice it to say, as a child I was a bit of a tomboy, the only one of four children in my family to break a bone, to require stitches, and to suffer a concussion. No, my parents were not abusive; as a teen, I did have a few good ‘altercations’ with my sister (I won’t name names), but mostly I was just never one to look before leaping. How else was a middle child supposed to be taken seriously? I wasn't boss; I wasn't baby. But I digress.
No second thoughts for Jimmy and me. One of the world’s most recognized volcanic craters was demanding our attention, the summit less than a mile away and a mere 560 feet up, where we’d heard the view was spectacular. Bring it on!
No second thoughts for Jimmy and me. One of the world’s most recognized volcanic craters was demanding our attention, the summit less than a mile away and a mere 560 feet up, where we’d heard the view was spectacular. Bring it on!
Birds eye view of Diamond Head, courtesy of Wikipedia.
We were ready to tackle the hot sun;
This is the picture I'm focusing on today as darkness descends outside.
ready to tackle the winding trails;
This trail was not for the faint of heart (or knees)!
ready to tackle the steep stairways.
It was easier to take pictures going down than up.
The trail to the summit of Diamond Head was built in 1908 as part of Oahu’s coastal defense system. Completed in 1911, the Fire Control Station at the summit directed artillery fire from batteries in Waikiki and Fort Ruger outside Diamond Head crater.
British sailors who came through in the early 1800’s dubbed the volcanic tuff cone Diamond Head when they mistakenly thought the calcite crystals in the lava rock were diamonds. The Hawaiians aptly named their volcano Leahi, which roughly translates to “browridge of a tuna”.
The ridgeline of Diamond Head supposedly resembles the shape of a tuna’s dorsal fin, at least according to those experienced in dorsal fins belonging to tunas. See what you think.
British sailors who came through in the early 1800’s dubbed the volcanic tuff cone Diamond Head when they mistakenly thought the calcite crystals in the lava rock were diamonds. The Hawaiians aptly named their volcano Leahi, which roughly translates to “browridge of a tuna”.
The ridgeline of Diamond Head supposedly resembles the shape of a tuna’s dorsal fin, at least according to those experienced in dorsal fins belonging to tunas. See what you think.
I see that dorsal fin. Do you? Thanks Wikipedia.
The narrow trail and the press of humanity didn’t allow much time for snapping pictures or catching our breath without impeding the flow of people and progress up the mountain. I’d yet to invest in my little sure-shot Nikon at that point in time, so quick pictures while on the move proved difficult with my big boss SLR Nikon. Besides, stopping came with the risk of considering the folly of our decision, and the distinct possibility we’d just turn back and never make it to the top. We simply concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other, keeping up with the pack, most of whom appeared a bit younger than Jimmy and me. I was feeling a bit adolescent (undoubtedly that 12-year-old inside was ruling the day), feeling the need to fit in, to garner acceptance from my peers on the mountain. Jimmy seemed to be feeling a bit grumpy, if memory serves me.
Jimmy's grumpy walk; I'd know it anywhere, even hiking up a mountain.
We were tough; we were determined; we were crazy!
We did make it to the top. The view was spectacular! Yes, it was a view we might have considered from the comfort of a helicopter, but where’s the challenge in that? No story, either, no pride of accomplishment, no history or geology to consider up close and personal. And much cheaper, too.
We did make it to the top. The view was spectacular! Yes, it was a view we might have considered from the comfort of a helicopter, but where’s the challenge in that? No story, either, no pride of accomplishment, no history or geology to consider up close and personal. And much cheaper, too.
 Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii. |  Things were looking good from atop Diamond Head. |
Diamond Head Lighthouse dates from 1899.
And yes, going down was slightly easier, although my knees might have more to say on that score. They moaned and groaned for several weeks, threatening mutiny on occasion when put to the task.
It was still worth it. We came, we saw, we conquered! Which is more than I can say for the drab days I've been battling since Daylight Savings kicked in.
It was still worth it. We came, we saw, we conquered! Which is more than I can say for the drab days I've been battling since Daylight Savings kicked in.
No cutesy pictures of Jimmy and me conquering the mountain exist. We were much happier sailing.
The Bottom Line on Hiking Oahu's Diamond Head
Verdict: Go for it! Just go sooner rather than later. As my father likes to remind me lately, it may be time for you to slow down a bit, Sherry.
Insider Information: Go early to beat the heat and the crowds; plan on 2 hours to make the hike to the top and back down. The last 1/10 of a mile is nothing but steep steps. No pets are allowed in the park. There are no facilities on the trail and very few places that afford privacy should nature come calling. The park is open daily, year round. The last entrance to the park is at 4:30 pm. Gates to the park are locked at 6:00 pm.
How to Get There: The entrance to Diamond Head State Park is off Diamond Head Road between Makapu'u Avenue and 18th Avenue, Honolulu. Entry fee of $5 per vehicle or $1 per walk-in visitor.
Nearby Food: Vending machines and lunch wagon foods are available onsite, as well as water, otherwise it's back to Waikiki or Honolulu proper.
Insider Information: Go early to beat the heat and the crowds; plan on 2 hours to make the hike to the top and back down. The last 1/10 of a mile is nothing but steep steps. No pets are allowed in the park. There are no facilities on the trail and very few places that afford privacy should nature come calling. The park is open daily, year round. The last entrance to the park is at 4:30 pm. Gates to the park are locked at 6:00 pm.
How to Get There: The entrance to Diamond Head State Park is off Diamond Head Road between Makapu'u Avenue and 18th Avenue, Honolulu. Entry fee of $5 per vehicle or $1 per walk-in visitor.
Nearby Food: Vending machines and lunch wagon foods are available onsite, as well as water, otherwise it's back to Waikiki or Honolulu proper.
There must be gold in the sand at Waikiki Beach given the real estate prices.
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