Saturday, August 27, 2011

Travel along the North Shore

NORTH SHORE OF OAHU HAWAII TRANSPORTATION

There are many ways to explore the island of Oahu. Here are a few options:

By Air

Flights from all over the world land at Honolulu International Airport just outside of downtown Honolulu. Alaska Airlines now offers many non-stop flights to and from Alaska. Hawaiian Air, Island Air, American Airlines‚ and Delta Airlines are the major airline carriers serving the islands. Free Wiki-Wiki (Hawaiian for 'quick') shuttle buses run between the Main Terminal and Interisland Terminal every 15 minutes.



TheBoat

A new transportation service on Oahu between Barbers Point and Honolulu, Hawaii (TheBoat is no longer in service).



By Car

Rent a car at the airport and explore the island on your schedule. Haleiwa is only 20 - 30 minutes away from the the airport. Car rentals are available at the airport and various locations downtown. A car is worth having for visits to the North Shore or if you are staying outside of Honolulu/Waikiki. Major Highways (Click on the map for a larger view) which will be posted later. The following are some of the more important major highways on Oahu. Both the common name and the state route number are given here. With the exception of H-1, H-2, and H-3, locals refer to state highways by name, rather than route number.



•H-1 runs from Kahala in East Honolulu west, through downtown Honolulu, past the airport and out to the western suburb of Kapolei where it joins Farrington Highway.

•H-2 runs from the town of Waipahu through Mililani to the town of Wahiawa in Central Oahu.

•H-3 runs from the suburb of Aiea, through the windward communities of Kaneohe and Kailua, to the gate of Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Nimitz Highway/Ala Moana Boulevard (state route 92) runs from Pearl Harbor to Waikiki; it is the main route from the airport to Waikiki.

•Pali Highway (state route 61) runs from downtown Honolulu to the Windward town of Kailua.

•Likelike Highway (state route 63) runs from the Kalihi district of Honolulu to the Windward town of Kaneohe.

•Kalanianaole Highway (state route 72) starts from the east end of H-1 and runs through the East Honolulu suburbs around Makapuu Point, and through the rural community of Waimanalo, ending in Kailua.

•Kamehameha Highway (state routes 99, 80, and 83) is the main highway on Oahu, starting from Pearl Harbor, going through the leeward communities of Aiea and Pearl City, then through Central Oahu, around the North Shore, and along the Windward coast ending at the town of Kaneohe.

•Farrington Highway (state route 93) is two separate roads: the south side starts where H-1 leaves off in Kapolei and leads to the Leeward coast communities of Nanakuli, Waianae, and Makaha, ending at the south end of Kaena Point State Park. The north side starts from Waialua on the North Shore through the community of Mokuleia to the north end of Kaena Point State Park(the road used to go around the point but the part that actually rounded the point has been closed and replaced with a nature preserve. A trail connects the two portions).

•Fort Weaver Road/Kunia Road (state routes 76, 750) goes from Schofield Barracks near Wahiawa south to Ewa Beach.



By Bus"TheBus"

Bus routes for every destination make traveling the island a breeze. Hop on TheBus from the airport via the Ala Moana Mall and head up to Haleiwa. Busses run 24 hours a day and are a great way to see the country side with out having to navigate your way. The Oahu bus system, officially called TheBus, runs between almost all towns and to most tourist destinations. Fare for TheBus is US$2.50 for adults, exact change is compulsory and it will get you anywhere on the island TheBus goes.



There is a 4 day TheBus 'Tourist' pass available from most ABC Stores (like a 7/11) for US $25. Make sure you 'scratch' it correctly before getting on the first TheBus. Also available from ABC Stores and other Waikiki-area shops is a very handy guide to TheBus for US$2.95. 
TheBus to Wikiki: routes #19 and #20 run between the airport and Waikiki. The fare is US$2.25 for adults. Exact change is required and space for baggage is limited. When taking TheBus from the airport to Waikiki, make sure the destination sign reads "Waikiki Beach and Hotels". The westbound #19 bus continues to a military installation (Hickam AFB), and Military Police check all passengers for military ID at the gate.



The tram-style "Free Shopping Shuttles" which pick up around Waikiki beach will take you to the Ala Moana Center. Be aware that this shuttle will first take you to Hilo Hattie's flagship tourist shop west of the center. It's free, but not a direct route so if you're not interested in stopping off at Hilo Hattie's you may prefer to look elsewhere for transport as this option will add at least 30 minutes to your commute.





By Bicycle

Rent a bicycle in Honolulu or in Haleiwa and go for a ride! Haleiwa offers a brand new paved two lane bike path from town to Waialua. Lots of other biking trails for the off roader. Take your cruiser to Sunset beach and cruise from surf break to surf break. You can rent a board rack for you bike at most rental shops. Please email with questions concerning rentals on the north shore and in Haleiwa Town. By Motorcycle Rent a motorcycle in Honolulu and cruise up to the North Shore. The destination for all the motorcycle clubs on the island.



By Train

Dole Plantation - Historic train tours through the plantation outside of Haleiwa. This is a great way to see the countryside and enjoy fresh local cuisine. Check out the gift shop, it has some of the best locally made goods on the North Shore! To learn more and to plan a tour: Dole Plantation



Helicopter

Heli Tours is one of them - Heli USA Airways - Special North Shore excursion over Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach and the Banzai Pipeline! This extensive tour covers the history, myths and spectacular sites and beauty of the Island of Oahu! On this spectacular tour you will explore the hidden rainforests, valleys, waterfalls and beaches of Oahu only made possible by the unique abilities of the helicopter.



You will cruise past the vivid turquoise coral reefs and white sand of Waikiki to the extinct volcano of Diamond Head, the mythical home of fire Goddess "Pele." You will see the cliffs in the Nuuanu Valley where King Kamehameha defeated the Oahuans in 1795, as well as the locations made famous by movies such as Jurassic Park, Hawaii Five O, and Magnum P.I., Pearl Harbor and Gilligan's Island.



Your tour continues north up the spectacular coastline to Sacred Falls before returning via the Dole Pineapple Plantations to Honolulu Airport. Your tour will include views of Pearl Harbor, Battleship Row, Punchbowl National and the Arizona Memorial.



To learn more and to book an excursion: Heli USA Airways



By Glider Plane

The Original Glider Rides has a wide variety of flights available, from the easy going scenic flight to the wild aerobatic flight and everything else in-between. Turn your world upside-down with a thrilling aerobatic ride. Strap on a parachute, climb into out aerobatic glider with an experienced aerobatic pilot, and hold on tight for the ride of your life. Pull G's, float in zero-gravity, loop-d-loop, roll wing-tip to wing-tip, draw clover-leafs in the sky, pull straight up vertically into a hammer-head stall, and then fall off into a vertical dive straight down. At 2 positive-G's, wing-overs are the most mellow maneuver on your aerobatic ride. To learn more and book a flight: Honolulu Soaring

Saturday, August 13, 2011

VASH

V.A.S.H. = Visitors Aloha Society of Hawaii will help you as a visitor if you have problems returning to your home because of something that affected your stay herein the islands. http://www.visitoralohasocietyofhawaii.org/ or phone them at 808-926-8274. They have 24 hour service and can come to you if you cannot get to them. It is a travelers aid organization.

Their mission:
The mission of the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii is to share Aloha with visitors who have been victims of a crime or other adversities, and to provide follow-up assistance and support in an effort to create a positive memory of their stay in our islands.

Their goal:
Our goal is for every visitor victim, whether from the Mainland, a foreign country, or a neighbor island, to share with their family and friends that, despite an unfortunate incident, the Aloha Spirit of Hawai'i is real and that they can look forward to their next visit to the "Aloha" state.

Their Basic Function:
1) Provide assistance to visitors traumatized by crime or other adversities. Cases can be referred by law enforcement agencies, hospitals, and others.
2) Recruit, train and coordinate the efforts of community volunteers to provide assistance and support to visitors.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Select painting shots as of August 12, 2011











Termite damage to front entryway over hallway front entry to Bldg. B scheduled for repair Aug 13










Carpentry work needing to be done above Unit 601 outside their lanai. Scheduled repair is Aug 13.











As of 8-12 Bldg B front entry by 402















As of 8-5 Bldg A

Aug 02, 2011 Hallway Bldg A 2nd floor













July 21, black & white photo










July 17
















July 1












June 28, 2011