Hearts in Hawai'i
Our Trip to Hawai'i (2007)--Day 5
4/27/2007
Sea Life Park
We were blessed with another beautiful day as we drove out on the Kalanianaole Highway, arriving at Sea Life Park just as they opened at 9:30. We took in three shows--first the dolphin show at the Hawaii Ocean Theatre, then we walked around the park a bit, seeing hang gliders off Makapuu. Next was the Sea Lion show featuring two sea lions. Afterwards, we grabbed a quick lunch at the Sea Lion Cafe; Teriyaki Beef Burger for me, Chicken Caesar for Patty--$23!! Next, the Dolphin Cove Show was great, featuring Atlantic and Pacific bottlenose dolphins...also a wholphin (part whale, part dolphin). Rating: 9
Back to the hotel by 1:45 but not before taking the wrong exit (again) off the H-1 and exploring an area we didn't intend to explore (again). One of these days I'll finally figure out the Ewa and Diamond Head bound entrances and exits off this freeway. Damn!
On the drive back, got this shot of Koko Head
Germaine's Luau
The bus picked us up at 4:45 sharp--it's packed because one of the other busses broke down. There were eight or nine busses all arriving at the Germaine's Luau site near Campbell Industrial Park in Kapolei at about the same time, and we found ourselves in the midst of a 500+ person party. Our guide (Auntie April) kept us involved and interested with pretty much constant oration during the 1.5 hour drive through rush hour traffic. How long is the drive out there? "15 Hawaiian minutes" April responds. 
Everyone was seated at long tables, which is customary for this type of event, so we engaged others at our table in talk. We found out the guy sitting across from us went to high school at Silver Bay, just north of Duluth. Small world!
The food offerings were mediocre; chicken was good, beef was okay, Kalua pork and mahi-mahi were mediocre bordering on poor. The meal here was the worst of the four luaus we've attended in Hawai'i.
The show was good, long but a bit on the cheesy side. I wouldn't exactly characterize this as an authentic Hawaiian show (whatever the heck that means), but there is considerable audience participation, which everyone seemed to enjoy. The audience participation included having three guys volunteer to get dressed up in coconut-shell bras and dance for the crowd, along with a hula dance contest involving the eight or nine tour guides. Overall, we don't consider this a match for the Polynesian Cultural Center's Ali`i Luau and Horizon Night Show, nor the Old Lahaina Luau, but for Oahu, it's not a bad choice. Rating: 6
Unearthing the pig
Tomorrow's kalua pork!
Hauling the pork away
Male coconut bra dance competition
It was a late night return to Waikiki (past 10:00) and we found it had rained here during the evening. 11:15 before I finally crashed.
Previous: 4/26/2007--Our Trip to Hawai'i (2007)--Day 4
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