The Island of Maui
July 14, 2026 - Heading to Maui
Before we left Lanai, we were able to spend a little time this morning at Hulopoe Beach before taking the ferry to Maui. Once we arrived, we grabbed an Uber to retrieve our rental car. We checked into our hotel, Hilton Grand Vacations Club Maui Bay Villas. We simply had dinner and rested the rest of the day.
July 15, 2026 - The Road to Hana
Today we drove the road to Hana. Hana is in Maui County, Hawaii, on the East side of Maui. The road is a historic and scenic drive. He ate at the Hana Ranch Restaurant and drove back. Relaxed by the pool before having dinner at the Monkeypod Kitchen.
July 16, 2026 - Wailea Beach
Today we went to Wailea Beach for the morning. Had lunch at Lahaina Brewing Co. We went to the resort pool for the afternoon and finished the day with dinner at Mama's Fish House.
July 17, 2026 - Maui Wine/Flight to Hilo
We wrapped up our stay on Maui with visiting Maui Wine. Then we departed for the Kahului airport for our flight to the island of Hawaii (Big Island). We stopped for dinner at Pineapple's Hilo before heading to our Vrbo rental.
The Island of Hawaii (The Big Island)
July 18, 2026 - Kayaking across the Kealakekua Bay
Early in the morning, we kayaked across the Kealakekua Bay to the Captain James Cook Monument. Very beautiful. We finished by visiting Kona Brewing Company. We retired to the Vrbo rental to relax for the end of the day.
July 19, 2026 - Kulaniapia Falls and Carlsmith Beach Park
Today we visited our first waterfall in Hawaii, Kulaniapia Falls. Yes, the water was cold. After the waterfall visit, we had lunch at Ola Brew - Hilo and went to Carlsmith Beach Park. We finished the evening having dinner at Jackie Ray's.
July 20, 2026 - Volcano/Flight to Lihue
We were not going to the "Big Island" without visiting the Kilauea Volcano. Being that Deb is a 6th grade science teacher this was a real treat for her. You can see all the pumice stones created from "lava rain" or volcanic fallout of tephra. It is everywhere!! After our volcano visit, we hopped a flight to Lihue on the island of Kauai. We closed the day with dinner at Keoki's Paradise.
The Island of Kauai
July 21, 2026 - Waimea Canyon/Smith Family Garden Luau
On our first full day on the island of Kauai, we visited the Waimea Canyon and finished the day with our first luau at the Smith Family Garden Luau. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures or video of the 1-hour luau ceremony that followed the dinner which included traditional Hawaiian dances including the fire dance. Very incredible day.
July 22, 2026 - Tubing down the sugar cane canal and tunnels
Today, we took the tubing trip down the old sugar cane canal and tunnels used long time ago to help transport the sugar canes. We really enjoyed this. As soon as we arrived at the drop off location, it started down pouring. I mean a drenching rain which made it even more enjoyable (after you realized that you were completely soaked before entering the water). Afterwards, we went back to relax at the Waimea Plantation Cottages before having dinner at The Plantation House by Gaylord's.
July 23, 2026 - Poipu Beach/Flight to Honolulu
Today, we wrapped up our stay on the Island of Kauai by visiting Poipu Beach to see the sea turtles and monk seals. I was neat to see the sea turtles and seals come onto the beach unfazed by all the people around to rest and take a nap. We then took our flight to Honolulu and stayed at Waikiki Beach. We finished the day at TR Fire Grill for dinner..
The Island of Oahu
July 24, 2026 - USS Missouri/USS Arizona/Waikiki Beach
Today was a full day. We spent several hours aboard the USS Missouri, the ship upon which the Empire of Japan surrendered ending World War II. After lunch, we visited the USS Arizona Memorial. We ended the day at Waikiki Beach.
July 25, 2026 - Pearl Harbor Aviation field/USS Bowfin
We went back to Pearl Harbor for a second day to visit the Pearl Harbor aviation field and hanger. You can still see the bullet holes from the Japanese in the glass windows of Hanger 79. After lunch, we visited the USS Bowfin, the famous World War II submarine (launched exactly one year after the Pearl Harbor attack, Dec 7, 1942) that sank 44 enemy ships. We ended the day at the resort pool.
July 26, 2026 - Return Flight Home
Today we head back home. Great trip; wonderful trip. Great memories, but time to get back home. We miss our family, friends, and pets.
