Fulmer Hawaii Trip

My parents took all of us kids and spouses to Hawaii for a crazy, fun family vacation. To say it was the perfect most relaxing vacation would be a lie but we had a lot of really fun times and made some really great memories.
View from our beach house backyard at sunset.
I'll just chronicle the events.
Saturday:
So we planned an early flight out to get the most out of the day there but sadly our trip started out a little rocky. Our flight was delayed because the plane needed a part. What started as a 3hour delay turned into a 6hour delay and we didn't find out there was any delay until we got to the airport. So travel time doubled, not super exciting but we were still pumped to get there.
Waiting at the airport...
Crazy dad.
That night we just got our rental cars, bought some food at Costco, and headed out to the North Shore to settle into our beach house.

Sunday:
If the flight delay wasn't bad enough we had to share the island with Obama and the whole APEC convention which meant there was a ton of road closures. And for those of you who are familiar with Hawaii there aren't that many freeways to take. We tried to head down to the south side to go hiking but half way there we got shut down and had to turn back around (we learned to check for road closures before we left anywhere).
Instead of hiking we did some shopping in the surf shops in Haleiwa then had lunch at Haleiwa Joes (eating was a really big part of this trip). It was good and so beautiful out, we sat on the open patio and just enjoyed the awesome weather.
After lunch we went to Sharks Cove and did a little snorkeling. It was fun but a little scary because we started in an area with a ton of sea urchins.
On our way home we picked up some ice cream and shaved ice. Good start to Hawaiian cuisine.
That night we hung out at the beach house playing games and enjoying the sound of the ocean. Which my dad mistook as a wind storm at night. It was a little loud being right next to the ocean but you got used to it after the first few nights.

Monday:
We went out on a catamaran in Waikiki to snorkel for sea turtles and take a cruise around the bay. Luckily no road closures until we got to Waikiki right as we were about to find parking the Chinese President was coming down the street so everything was stopped for about 15minutes and we were stuck. Jon liked watching the cars speed down the road with guys sticking out the windows with guns.

Us right before we boarded. Nicki and Jayson were off taking pictures with parakeets.
Snorkeling around with the turtles. Pretty cool, we also got to touch a baby octopus.
Then we cruised around on the net in the front of the catamaran, it was a pretty awesome feeling cruising along with the water rushing below you.


We started a little dance party.
One of the hardest parts of the trip was getting the two vehicles to the same locations easily...
Cha wanted to go to Burger Paradise in Waikiki but parking was impossible so we ended up at L & L's for a quick lunch before our hike. She wasn't thrilled.
We hiked Maunawili's Falls so beautiful!



A few of us ventured in and jumped off the falls.
The drive to and from the southeast side where the trail was the most beautiful. It reminded me of Jurassic Park.

Tuesday:
We rented some surf boards and attempted to catch some waves. We stopped at what we thought was Chun's Reef but we were just down the beach from it. Not sure what beach we were at but the waves were breaking pretty far out so once we made it out we were too tired to actually catch much. Jon caught a few. Weston and I just chased some turtles around : )
Enjoying the beach.

More snorkeling! There were a ton of sea turtles in a little protected area. One came after my mom and she got pretty freaked out. haha
After all our hard work surfing and snorkeling we took a break to get some delicious haupia pie and lunch from Ted's Bakery (more food)

Then we split up and Jon, Nicki, Jayson and I went to the house to nap and the rest of the crew hit up another beach.

Wednesday:
The first half of the week was beautiful and sunny out but the second half was a little more overcast with a few hours of sun. But I was happy because it was better than a rainy November that people promised me.
First we hit up the Dole Plantation for a quick look around and some yummy pineapple ice cream (food makes me happy)



Then we ventured down to Honolulu to check out Pearl Harbor. No road closures this time but we got lost and had to turn around 10times at least, we were struggling, but we made it there and it was great. I had never been to Pearl Harbor Memorial and it was very well done and Jon was in heaven with all the war history.
We took the boat ride out to the sunk Arizona.


That night we went out to eat again at Breakers and had some yummy fish and chips and Mahi Mahi dish. (why did we go to Costco?)

Thursday:
The boys and my mom all went deep sea fishing out of the North Shore. I guess it's not the best time of year for fishing (go figure) but they caught 3 ahi tuna and 1 ono (which means delicious and it was!). Jayson and Jon grilled them up that night and they were awesome.
While they were off in the ocean the rest of us girls went to Waimea Falls and did the paved hike through the botanical gardens to the water fall. It was fun just chatting and enjoying the beauty and the nice day. I hopped into the water at the falls but the other girls were too cold . There was lifeguards on duty, it was pretty funny.
Once everyone joined back up we headed over to where the surf competition was supposed to be happening the week we were there. Since the waves were too small the competition wasn't able to start, it was a bummer. I was looking forward to seeing the crazy waves. The boys attempted to catch a few waves again with the little ripples that were breaking. Then we went to claim some more shaved ice. It was so tasty and we got it for free at the surf shop for renting the boards.


Friday:
I finally found the acai bowls that I'd heard about. I wish I had found them sooner that were heaven in a bowl for sure.
We ate at this yummy sandwich shop next to the juice shop where we found the acai bowls. Then we headed down to Laie to see the Temple.

So pretty, but a bit windy with some little rain drops coming down.




After the temple we drove over to the lookout in Laie.Then you got it..more food. We ate at Sharks Cove Grill.
Then went to hang out at the beach again.
Saturday: Our last day. Such a sad day on a trip. We attempted to go to the Swap Meet before we had to fly out but just our luck it was closed that day. So we ended up at the airport earlier than planned and hung out.

Hawaii is such an amazing place that just represents lazy days. We hope to go back again soon!
Thanks Mom and Dad for letting me push you into such a big family trip!
Thanks to Bruce and Karen for watching our sweetie Scarlett for the week. We know she had a blast, and we were so happy not to have to worry about her for one second.