HIKE TO MAKAPUPU LIGHTHOUSE

With great intentions to depart before dawn and miss the morning rush hour for our drive across the island to the east shore, we managed to drive off at 0650 hours and land smack in the middle of Honolulu's gridlock. A 53 minute drive turned into a 1 hour and 50 minute drive. But it was worth it.

The lighthouse is located at Makapuu Point, the most south easterly location on Oahu and the point of land all ships from the US mainland head for when approaching Oahu. After a few missteps, the lighthouse started operations in 1909 and to this day, it holds the largest lens of any in US service. It is twelve feet tall and has over one thousand prisms. It is a Hyperradiant Fresnel Lens, the largest ever made and is off the chart in terms of quality and performance. The lighthouse is mounted on a 600 foot rock cliff providing excellent visibility.

This popular hike is on a paved path with a significant incline, providing spectacular views. We had a very clear day for our hike and we were blessed with endless humpback whale sightings. How very wonderful.

In addition to, many Kodak Moments, we were rewarded with a relaxing walk back down and an easy, non rush hour drive home.

ANOTHER GREAT DAY ON THE WATER:

Once again we were invited on our landlady's boat "Ocean Queen" for another day on the water along Oahu's west shore. Two of her neighbours also joined us, Bob and Dee. Bob is an avid fisherman and he brought along two very heavy duty fishing rods. He typically catches Mahi Mahi or tuna and sometimes a marlin. Reportedly his biggest catch was a 345 pound marlin! Well that talk sure generated a lot of anticipation.

Our first stop was to fuel up Ocean Queen. Other than the price of $2.95 per gallon, the most interesting part of that operation for me was that it is 100% self serve. You first go to a box and insert your credit card and get pre approval for your desired $ purchase. Then you identify the pump number you will use. Then you go to that pump, pull out the hose and start pumping. Of course this is almost identical to buying fuel for your car. But on the Great Lakes where we boat, the dock staff at the marinas do all the handling to fuel up your boat. Very interesting difference.

Then we headed out on the water to a very pleasant 10 knot breeze and light rollers of maybe 8 to 10 feet. A while later, Bob put enormous lures on the fishing rods and their 50 pound test line and deployed both lines out about 200 feet. We cruised along at 6.5 to 7 knots dragging the lures along the surface. The hope is that the fish will spot the lure splashing along the surface and they'll attack it from underneath, grabbing the lure and tearing off, dragging the line out, alerting you to the "hit" by the sound of the ratchet on the reel. While we waited with great anticipation for action, the fishing rods sat secure in rod holders on the transom of Ocean Queen.

After the excitement waned somewhat, we enjoyed Fran's magnificent Southwest Salad and crusty bread along with some beer/wine. Yours truly held off on the libations as I was busy at the helm keeping track of our whereabouts.

As is often the case when fishing, it is more about enjoying the day on the water, the company and the scenery. If you happen to catch a fish, then it is a bonus. So there was no bonus fish caught today, but the outing on the water was magnificent as was the company, the food, libations and the sunset at the end of the day.

HAPPY HOUR BECOMES DINNER
Fellow renters Gary and Lee from Minnesota joined us for Happy Hour on our patio to watch the sunset and get to know each other a little better. We'd met last winter around the pool and hot tub & we continued this year where we'd left off. The wine and hors d'oeuvres became our dinner, finished off with some Irish Cream aka "desert in a glass". Perfect!