We wrapped up our last four days on solid ground in the glorious islands of Hawaii—and let me tell you, it was equal parts postcard-perfect, comedy of errors, and living history lesson.
We kicked things off in stunning Honolulu. The weather was straight out of a brochure: warm, breezy, and carrying that heavenly scent of tropical flowers everywhere. My nose and eyes, however, declared all-out war. Those flowering trees were gorgeous, but they turned us into a sneezing, watery-eyed comedy duo. I’m pretty sure the ship’s crew thought we’d picked up some rare island plague.
Day 1: The Great Fire Station Faceplant & a Governor’s Legacy
Our morning started innocently enough—a casual stroll in search of mints and snacks (because heaven forbid the cruise ship’s endless buffets weren’t enough). As we admired a beautiful fire station with flags at half-staff, we were pondering what important figure had passed when—BAM.
Chuck stepped off the curb like he was auditioning for a slapstick movie and went straight down into the roadway. No cars, thankfully, so he avoided becoming a human speed bump, but he shredded his arm pretty good. Blood was flowing. We were in full “Oh Lord, not on vacation!” mode.
Cue divine timing: a firetruck was parked just 100 feet away. Those wonderful firefighters jumped into action, checked him out, bandaged him up like pros, took a few victory pics with us, and sent us on our way with big smiles. Absolute heroes.
Speaking of hero’s, the flags were in honor of former Hawaii Governor George Ariyoshi, who passed on April 20, 2026, at the remarkable age of 100. He was Hawaii’s longest-serving governor (1974–1986) and the first American of Asian descent ever elected governor of a U.S. state. The firefighters spoke about him with genuine pride—it was a touching reminder of Hawaii’s rich, multicultural story.
After that adrenaline spike, we grabbed our snacks, soaked in more Honolulu vibes, and toddled back to the ship like battle-scarred veterans. Fun Honolulu fact: This city is home to the only royal palace on U.S. soil—ʻIolani Palace. Built in the 1880s, it had electricity and flushing toilets years before the White House did. Talk about royal swagger!
Day 2: The Great Walmart Expedition
Determined to keep Chuck’s arm from turning his bandage into modern art, we hopped a taxi to the massive local Walmart. More snacks acquired. Fresh bandages secured. We even did some price-gawking: eggs were (slightly) cheaper than the $11-a-dozen robbery at 7-Eleven. I wisely avoided checking gas prices—I didn’t need that kind of emotional damage.
Day 3: Napali Coast (Sort Of) – Ancient Cliffs & Epic Scenery
This was a sea day, but we sailed past the dramatic Nāpali Coast on Kauai. Those razor-sharp green cliffs plunging into the ocean are jaw-dropping… when you can actually see them. Unfortunately, the haze was thick and the wind was howling. The captain had to close the upper decks and tie down the deck chairs like we were preparing for a hurricane party.
“Na Pali” literally means “the cliffs,” and these emerald giants rise up to 4,000 feet. They were formed millions of years ago by volcanic lava and sculpted by relentless wind and water. The coast was once a bustling trading hub with sacred heiaus (temples) dotting the landscape. Today it feels wild and untouched—nature’s own Jurassic Park (and yes, parts of the movie were filmed here). What we glimpsed was magical; I can only imagine how epic it looks on a clear day.
Day 4: Tender Island Adventures & Medical Victory
Our final Hawaiian stop required a tender boat ride to shore. Last time we were here the water was so rough it took two attempts to dock—basically a wet, salty rodeo. This time it was much smoother, thank goodness.
Overnight, Chuck’s arm had staged a jailbreak all over our bedsheets. Poor room attendant had to change everything again. We felt terrible and decided it was time for professional help. An Uber ride later, we were at a local clinic where they cleaned him up beautifully and re-bandaged everything like it was an art project. Chuck left a happy man.
The rest of the day was pure vacation bliss. Perfect 75-degree weather, people swimming and laughing in the water, and us doing proper Hawaii shopping. I scored a cute Hawaiian dress, we devoured authentic pineapple ice cream (for me) and coconut (for Chuck), and just wandered like happy tourists. The sunset from our room that evening was the cherry on top.
Now we’ve got six more sea days before hitting Seattle. It’s been an epic, long, wonderful, occasionally bloody adventure. We’re ready to be home… but first, a quick overnight in Portland to catch up with some cruise friends we made a few years back. Can’t wait!
Thank you Lord for always looking over us and keeping us safe! May God bless you always!
Chuck & Lea Ann
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