Will Gibson's South Pacific Journal

I woke up this morning just as we were transiting the channel into Honolulu Harbor. We were greeted by one of the most dramatically vivid sunrises I’ve ever seen. (And apparently everyone else too because it was all you heard about at breakfast.) My photo isn’t great because it was taken through my cabin window, but I think you can get some idea of how impactfully the day started.

Most of the day was spent doing administrative work both on and off the ship. I took advantage of cell service to check emails and messages and respond where needed. Then I spent a couple hours researching dive shops throughout the South Pacific and reaching out to make inquiries. During the 5-day crossing from San Diego to Hilo, I ran into a guy on deck wearing a Scuba T-shirt and we got to talking. He has four dives confirmed during the cruise, so I started with those dates and operators. Those should be EZ-PZ to confirm. The other islands will require a bit more back and forth to arrange as the islands draw nearer and as I have more WiFi access. I’m hoping for a nice round number of 10 dives.

At noon, I took an Uber to the closest AT&T store I could find to have the protective film on my phone replaced. NOTE: Google Maps WILL find you the nearest whatever it is you’re looking for. It WILL NOT advise you that you are headed to the shittiest part of town! My plan had been to enjoy a walk back to Waikiki after the phone store. Instead, I ubered over to a CVS just a few blocks from the i’Olani Palace, my ultimate destination.

Shopping done, I walked over to the Palace where I found that all tours for the day – in any language – were sold out. I was able to get a ticket to the ground level galleries which included a very good ½ hour film on the history of the Hawaiian monarchy and of the Palace. As importantly, admission gave me access to a free locker where I could store my CVS bags!

After viewing the film, I needed to step out and take care of another task: getting a ticket to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Since the Memorial re-opened after Covid, visitation has been capped at 600 per day. Each day at exactly 3:00pm Honolulu time, the National Park Service puts 600 tickets online for sale at $1.00 each FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY. My task was to get one of those. I did, and here’s a few helpful hints should you ever want one:

1 – Create an account on the National Park Service website at least one day before you plan to ORDER your ticket.

2 – Write down your username and password for the site. If you’ve forgotten your password or can’t find it, you will NOT have time to reset it once the tickets go on sale.

I logged onto the site at 3:01. By the time I selected a visit time and ticket quantity, entered my CC information, submitted my order and got a ticket confirmation it was 3:05. I checked the ticket window again and all tickets had sold by 3:05!!

With a ticket for tomorrow secured, I ambled back to the Palace via an alley running past the YWCA.

It’s a beautifully maintained historic building with a public restaurant on its first-floor patio. I wish I’d had the time to stop in, but the Palace gallery was calling. Specifically, an exhibit of the Hawaiian Royal Jewels.

The collection wasn’t large, but it did have a few notable pieces:

1) An early Tiffany & Co 18kt Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet set with 7 Round Cut Diamonds

2) A Parure of Tiger Claw and 22kt Yellow Gold. Highly Intricate and Masterfully Rendered Settings

3) A Ceremonial Masonic Medal worn by King Kamehameha IV featuring a fantastic Sapphire, likely Kashmiri

Before I knew it, it was 5:00 and closing time, but still had enough light to visit the King Kamehameha statue at the courthouse across the street.

Then I meandered my way back to the pier using some quiet, flowering-tree lined side streets.

I made it back to the ship just in time to bookend the day with a magnificent sunset over the Pacific.

Off to bed soon. I’m tired – too much civilization today.

Aloha all.