Waikīkī Beach, from Diamond Head

After arriving at night, one piece of travel advice was to *not* try to visit Pearl Harbor the first day. So today we found a grocery store to buy some breakfast foods we could eat in our hotel room and then we set out for Diamond Head State Monument.

It was a 3¼ mile (5+ km) walk to the head of the trail to the top. (Since Clare & I are both daily exercisers and got none yesterday, we thought the walk a good idea. It also informed us what’s in the neighborhood around our hotel.)

On cameras and lenses.
I plan to take only my point-and-shoot to Pearl Harbor tomorrow because “bags” are not allowed to the USS Arizona Memorial and I brought only one lens for my Canon dSLR, the 18–55mm zoom lens. I left the macro and the longer, 55–250mm zoom lens at home; space and weight were the major considerations. We also brought binoculars, which I carried in my new-last-summer Case Logic bag (SLRC206), https://www.caselogic.com/en-us/us/products/camera/backpacks/slr-cameralaptop-backpack-_-slrc_-_206_-_black
This shot was taken with the Canon EOS Rebel T2i with the 18–55mm lens and a circular polarizer.

Regarding Diamond Head, from its official web page, http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/oahu/Index.cfm?park_id=15
“The unique profile of Diamond Head (Le'ahi) sits prominently near the eastern edge of Waikiki’s coastline. Hawaii’s most recognized landmark is known for its historic hiking trail, stunning coastal views, and military history. Diamond Head State Monument encompasses over 475 acres, including the interior and outer slopes of the crater.

“This broad, saucer-shaped crater was formed about 300,000 years ago during a single, explosive eruption that sent ash and fine particles in the air. As these materials settled, they cemented together into a rock called tuff, creating the crater, and which is visible from the trail in the park. Most of the vegetation and birds were introduced in the late 1800s to early 1900s.

“The trail to the summit of Le'ahi was built in 1908 as part of O'ahu’s coastal defense system. The 0.8 mile hike from trailhead to the summit is steep and strenuous, gaining 560 feet as it ascends from the crater floor. The walk is a glimpse into the geological and military history of Diamond Head. A concrete walkway built to reduce erosion shifts to a natural tuff surface about 0.2 mile up the trail with many switchbacks traversing the steep slope of the crater interior. The ascent continues up steep stairs and through a lighted 225-foot tunnel to enter the Fire Control Station completed in 1911. Built on the summit, the station directed artillery fire from batteries in Waikiki and Fort Ruger outside Diamond Head crater. At the summit, you’ll see bunkers and a huge navigational lighthouse built in 1917. The postcard view of the shoreline from Koko Head to Wai'anae is stunning, and during winter, may include passing humpback whales.”

Walking up Diamond Head was on Clare’s bucket list. Check it off, Sweetie!

Oh, and “Hawaii 5-0” is on tomorrow night…

1 year ago (“Face in his food…”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-09-25
2 years ago (“Vanessa to the rescue!”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-09-25
3 years ago (“Flip Day — Well, for me anyway!”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-09-25

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25th September 2014 25th Sep 14