Travelling again - part nine

A short compilation of what I feel are my better or, at least, more interesting Hawaii pictures. This includes some not in the previous 'Travelling again' posts. A reminder that you can click on the photos. 

My generous hosts Kathy & Michael with masks made and sent as gifts by another dear friend, Si-Si, in Toronto.

Waikiki, not far from where Kathy & Michael live.

Evening exercise group.

Possibly Hawaii’s best-known recreation.

Hallowe’en surfers …

… and a serendipitous find, not at the beach, but in a residential neighbourhood.

Outside Kathy & Michael’s, a sleepy White Tern, protected in Hawaii.

From Kathy & Michael’s balcony as a Matson containership and White Tern begin their journeys into the Pacific.

One of the finds from my hunt for interesting mid-century signs and architecture. Diamond Head Gardens, now a condo, was built in 1969.

The Rainbow Drive-In, opened in 1961, is where Barack Obama spent time as a teenager. He’s occasionally returned while on holiday in Hawaii.

Weekend fixture next to one of Waikiki’s busiest streets.

The United States is a litigious society. This sign leaves no doubt about the possible perils of simply parking your car.

My favourite ‘building shot’, detail of Waikiki Cove, a condo built in 1963.

Honolulu’s Queen Theater, a picture palace opened in 1936, is a near abandoned wreck. Still, I’m pleased by tower and clouds. The cinema’s name was originally highlighted in neon and, looking closely, you can see the tubes. I think the picture’s more dramatic, perhaps with an appropriately Thirties feel, in black & white.

More clouds and an unusual walk-up apartment building, well, more the ventilation system.

A local who was with friends most mornings as I walked the beach.

On Waikiki’s Kūhiō Avenue leaning on a palm and taking it all in.

Outside Smith’s Union Bar to which Kathy & Mike first took me in 2018. Smith’s, opened in 1934, is historic as it’s the last surviving ‘crew bar’ frequented by pre-war sailors from Pearl Harbour. Some of the ill-fated Arizona’s crew are said to have been carousing at Smith’s the night before the Japanese attack. 

We had draft Kona Brewing Big Wave Golden Ales, very welcome on a hot day. The bar is dark and some would say seedy, but certainly atmospheric and this picture was taken when I returned later in the trip. 

To my surprise, I’ve since found Big Wave in my Toronto wine, liquor and beer store. The sign is at a bar not far from Kathy & Michael's.

One of Honolulu’s stylish bicycle stands was worth a shot. 

Velour beach towels - $14.99 or two for $28 - on sale on at an ABC, Hawaii’s ubiquitous and not inexpensive convenience chain. Very impressed when, on return home, a senior ABC executive quickly and helpfully replied to my emailed questions about the architecture of one of the company's stores. Excellent public relations. 

Can’t really explain why, I just liked this composition while on the Number 20 bus.

As the sign suggested, trespassing might not be such a good idea. I’ll never know why this Jaguar was parked where I wouldn’t normally expect to see a Jaguar.

Instead I had to content myself with exploring another garage, weird I know. This garage didn’t have an ‘Enter at Your Own Risk’ sign and did have these wonderful whales. In 1969, someone made an heroic attempt at beautifying a space that’s usually thoroughly dull. 

Baskets and other kitchen odds ’n’ sods in a Honolulu market.

Carved heads in the Liljestrand House, one of the United States’ more architecturally influential mid-century residences. 

Tiki keyring bought at Honolulu’s airport in memory of …

… this maskless tiki and ‘Masks Required’ sign outside a modest, two floor walkup in central Waikiki. The keyring will go on my knapsack in hopes of it accompanying me on future uninfected travels.