Aloha Hawaii!

The 2nd half of July we spent a fabulous 9 days in Hawaii.  Both of our parents joined us, and we all had a blast exploring the island.  Eric planned out our entire trip and was our family chauffeur.  It has taken me a while to sit down and do this blog because I had so many pictures and videos.  This is going to be another long one as we had so many great experiences, I want to remember it all!

We flew out of Tokyo at 7:00pm and arrived in Hawaii 7:00am local time.  The boys got a little sleep on the plane and were able to stay up the entire day.  Our first two nights we stayed at the Hale Koa Hotel which is a military resort.  We spent most of our first two days enjoying the hotel pool and beach.  We rented beach chairs the 2nd day, and Eric took Hayden and I out on a paddle board.  We also enjoyed the hotel's Luau dinner and show.

View from our hotel room

Linc buried by daddy

Snacking with Nana & Papu

Grammy & Pops

Hayden ready to paddleboard

My turn

Family Photos!

Hale Koa Luau

Cute boy made it about halfway through the show

The next day we did a little shopping near the Hale Koa and then headed to our rental home where we would stay the remainder of our trip.  We decided to do the house so we could all stay together and have more meals in than out.  The house was beautiful and in a great location for all of the fun day trips we had planned.  The sunsets were amazing and we enjoyed many dinners outside together.

The boys spent a lot of time in the pool!

One of the beautiful sunsets

Family dinner with an awesome view!

About a mile walk from the house there were some cliffs Eric had looked up as a good spot to check out.  There were many cliff jumpers there, and Eric and his dad decided to take the plunge.

A & E on the cliffs

Eric and his dad are crazy

Fighting the current to get back up on the rocks.

That night we celebrated everyone's survival thus far on Hawaii with dinner out at Kona Brewing Company which was right in our neighborhood.

Day 4 we headed to Hanauma Bay which was only a 15 minute drive from our house.  It is known for its snorkeling, and Eric, Hayden, and George were able to see some great sea life.

Hanauma Bay

Linc and Nana playing in the sand

Heading out to snorkel

Snorkel instruction

Day 5 we had two stops in mind....Dole Pineapple Park followed by a trip to the North shore to get lunch at the food trucks and check out Sharks Cove for more snorkeling.  The boys were able to get a good view of a few sea turtles!  This was the only real uncomfortable weather day as it was hot and humid with no breeze.  We packed it up and went home when it started to rain and decided we would come back on a nicer day.

Grandparents on the Pineapple train!

Vaillant Fam

Pineapple Icecream is the best!

One of the many food trucks to choose from at North Shore.  We all enjoyed fresh seafood!

Sharks Cove

The guys in the cove

Day 6 we woke up early to climb Koko Head which was also right in our neighborhood.  The 1000 plus step-like walking track consisted of abandoned railroad ties that run along the crater's west side to the top of the Koko Crater.  The military used them previously during World War II as part of an incline tram to transport supplies to a lookout post at the summit.  It was a very steep and difficult climb to the top but we all made it.  

Looking down the track

Beautiful view at the top

A & E

Here comes Pops!

Papu taking in the view

We finished!

After our big accomplishment of the morning we headed to Bellows Air Force Station to check our their beach.  It ended up being one of our favorite beach days since the breeze kept us cool and the waves were big enough for boogie boarding.  The boys had a blast riding the waves.  Lincoln even taught himself how to catch some waves!

Headed out

High five Lincoln!

So proud of himself!

The dads enjoying the water

Day 7 we were excited to go to Pearl Harbor and visit the museums and memorial.  We started by exploring a submarine, followed by a boat ride out to see the Arizona Memorial.  We then drove over to the USS Missouri to tour the battleship.  It was a beautiful day and it was a great experience for everyone to remember the history of that day.  It amazes me how much the relationship with Japan has changed since the attack on Pearl Harbor.  We hope to visit the Hiroshima memorial in Japan before we leave. 

Beautiful day and views

Submarine

The boys enjoyed walking through the entire sub.

Vaillant Fam

Headed out to the Arizona Memorial

Leaving the memorial

The boys did a good job of being respectful and quiet

U.S.S. Missouri

Don't mess with Linc

Photo opp in the museum after

That afternoon Lincoln stayed back at the house with Grammy and Papu while the rest of us drove out to hike Diamondhead.  Hayden was excited to conquer a mountain on Hawaii.  This was a much easier hike compared to Koko head but the views were just as awesome.  

View from the top of Diamondhead

Hayden is a beast!

We made it!

Another great view

No mountain too high for Pops

Eric and his mom at the top

Day 8 was our last full day on Honolulu.  Eric and I were up early so we decided to do one last hike near our house.  Pops was up too so he joined us.  This was not a very challenging hike up a paved path but the sunrise view at the top with a lighthouse was pretty awesome.  

Lighthouse hike selfie

Beautiful sunrise

Later that day we planned to take another trip back to North Shore to hit Waimea Bay and its cliff jump which Hayden was super excited about.  I was a little nervous about him doing it and then was only more anxious when Lincoln was adamant about doing it too.  Everyone survived but I was pretty stressed out watching the boys jump multiple times. 

Hayden had no problem jumping

Eric jumped with Lincoln and then threw him out before hitting the water.  The crowd gasped the first time they jumped.

There goes Papu!

They survived Waimea Bay!

We all flew out the next day.  We were all sad to see this trip come to an end!  We are so blessed to have had this experience and time with our parents!