Aloha to Punchbowl, Diamond Head, and Honolulu Views

Honolulu is built atop volcanic mountains, lava overflows, and even extinct craters. I treated my mother and youngest son, David, to a driving tour of Honolulu' sights - the National Cemetery of the Pacific, Round Top Drive, and the Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Wayside.  My older son was attending Boy Scout Winter Camp at Pupukea (a hill overlooking the North Shore - no matter where you are in Hawaii, you always have a great view!)

The National Cemetery of the Pacific was established
in a crater.  It is nicknamed Punchbowl.

   

Punchbowl is featured in the opening credits
of Hawaii Five O - old and new.

Lady Liberty has Pacific features .... 

and wears slippahs!

The chapel represents all faiths.

Diamond Head can be seen from almost
everywhere in Honolulu.

   

Barbara is near the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
Comprised of Japanese Americans, many from Hawaii,
they are the most decorated unit from WWII.

  

As we left Punchbowl, we drove up Round Top Drive
for more views of Le'ahi.  The tuff was nicknamed
Diamond Head by European sailors, mistaking the
glittering calcite as diamonds.

The views are priceless.

As the sun began to set, we stopped at the
Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Wayside.

Barbara and David admire Diamond Head.

I am giving away a 2012 Hawaiian calendar to one randomly selected commenter. This giveaway is open to all readers. Comments open through Tuesday, January 10, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Wednesday, January 11, when I'll resume my regular once-a-week posts.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii 

The sun sets over Honolulu Harbor.