Have you Ever Visited The Hawaiian Islands?

What a lovely memory and such a gorgeous photo of you! You haven't changed much over the years. I haven't had the opportunity to go to Hawaii yet, but I hope to soon. My parents have spent a great deal of time in all the Hawaiian Islands in past years helping run a summer internship program for college students and the photos they bring back are simply stunning.

Cool story! Sounds exciting. I've never been, but my sister just went this summer and loved it. I would love to go someday!

Jennifer - your parents sounds as if they are really neat folks - so yes, indeed you have to go - I have a good friend living there - maybe someday I'll go back - a place is never the same once you grow up!
Thanks Michael - I hope you make it! I still remember the beauty. Salud.

Don Who? Hee, hee, hee....Nope never been there, or ever seen the King, oooops that's Elvis, the King of Hawaii. ;))

I love the photo and what a cool memory for you. I know they are beautiful, but for some reason Hawaii has never been up there on my 'most want to visit' list. Tahiti - yes! Of course, if someone offered me a trip to Honolulu, I wouldn't turn it down.

Neat story! I've never been there, but I hope to visit there one day.

My parents took us there on vacation when I was ten. We didn't see Don Ho, but we saw Jim Neighbors. My mom still has this super embarrassing picture of me with a goofy smile on my face because 'Gomer' came over and put his arm around me while he was singing.

Lynn - yes, the Real King but then so is King Ho - lol - Miz Vicky- I know what you mean - me too! Thanks for dropping by Chuck. Laura - love to see the picture - please post it! And, let me know! Salud.

I have never been there, but hope to go there one day. I saw the picture earlier, but love the story behind it. I can just see you up on stage!

My sister took me to Oahu for my 18th birthday/High School Graduation gift. It was an awesome vacation and I've wanted to go back ever since but haven't had the opportunity yet.

My grandma always loved Hawaii. She did a lot of traveling once she retired (all 50 states, and I don't even remember how many countries), but Hawaii was always a favorite.

I've never been to Hawaii, though. In reality I probably won't ever go unless my husband gets stationed there. We spend our vacation time going back home to Missouri instead.

I was called up on a stage to sing once, but not with anyone famous.

I've been to Hawaii twice, both times to Oahu. I would have like to have experienced a different island the second time, but my traveling companion felt differently.

I had my picture taken while holding on to the street sign on the corner of Don Ho Blvd, though.

What a beautiful picture of you! Yes, I've been to the islands many times. We mostly go to Maui and the Big Island. I also love Kauai. When my husband retires I want to spend six months in Maui, six months in Sonoma, and six months in San Francisco. By then we would have spent all our retirement money but what a way to go :-)

Fabulous article! No I have never been there but long to go. I want to go to the Dole pineapple plant and eat fresh pineapple, my favorite fruit. There is a celebrity I would love to meet in Hawaii, Sonia!!

Thank all of you for all these comments - I'm thrilled - Bradley, you surely have an interesting history - I appreciate your comment.
Apryl, Yes, indeed I love it as well - have you ever tried to grow them?
Linda K. Bless your heart, I still have the choker - it's a peace sign! lol
Ina - I want to see that picture please!
Carla - that sounds like a plan!
Jill - what an exciting trip for an 18 year old - I was about 20 in this picture!
Sue - thanks girl always a treat to see you - Ok off to comment ! Salud.

miz m! what FUN!! :) i've not been there yet. when i go, i'll go eat with our own sonia m! :)

What a great memory. I have been to Hawaii a couple of times but only as a layover to Australia and I did not get to leave the airport as I was traveling internationally. Someday I'd love to spend sometime visiting those gorgeous islands -and maybe meeting a Gatherer or two along the way :-)

It was more then the Mai Tais that got you on stage - you have a killer smile and it shines through the picture and Don Ho was FAMOUS for noticing beautiful woman in his shows and lavishing them with attention. Had you been single you would have had a greater story to tell I'm sure, if I know Don Ho like I knew him....LOL.

My brother lives on Maui and we use to go every year to visit him and occasional he would come over to the Mainland and visit us.....the last time was last year and I was so sick the entire time but we still had a great visit in between bouts of sickness.

We always do the Road To Hana.....which if you have ever been to Pikes Peak and DRIVEN UP, it's on that order, but with pinhair turns and room for only one car at a time.... with ocean on the sides...instead of cliff walls. Very scary.

We also visited the Iao Needle Valley......which was used in the movie Jerrassic Park and is as stunning and beautiful as it looks....a must see if you ever go.

We visited Charles Lindburgs grave, and I placed a stone on it as is tradition, and they claim the spot is haunted which I did not know until after the fact when I reported that I felt like someone touched my hair as I knelt down at his grave.

We also always do the Lahaina Luaau which is so much fun and boy can those girls shake it.....LOL.....made me tired just watching.

My favorite was the Maui Zoo with the Sea Turtles you can actually pet....loved it as they are my favorite sea creature.

MolaKini Creator is an awesome sight too...if you ever go....and make sure to eat at Bubba Gumps in Lahaina, they serve the BEST EVER tasted ribs.......yummmm.

So there is my story of the Hawaiian Islands - been to all except the very last which is almost deserted, and Maui continues to be my favorite island of all....even if I'm married to a Holie [pronounced Howl-lee and means white person]......LOL.....

Mahalo [Thank you] for allowing me to share my story and to remember fond memeories......and Aloha [Good-bye or Greetings] to you too.

i think this is such a fun, refreshing anecdote

Thanks Miz Annabelle - that was nice of you!
Miz Kitty - wow I love your comment and I want to thank you so much as it's a great travel article and I hope you put one together like this on your site! I really feel special now - maybe I was a cute little thing so many years ago! Salud.

Tonia and Jessie - thanks so very much for dropping by! Tonia I hope you make it! Salud.

Beautiful pic!!!

I have not yet been to Hawaii :-(

Wow, what an honor. I can just see you singing Dixie......

My hubby is going to Honolulu this Wednesday. Hawaii is one of 7 states I've not been to. LA is another.

No, but I love that shot of you!!! Great picture!!!! See you around Gather!!!

Very cool story & pic.! I have never been to the islands, but they are definitely on my "to do before I die" list! I recall watching Don Ho on tv years ago! Maybe I saw you!? lol C):-)

Cool. I'm impressed. You must have a lovely voice.

What a neat picture -- you really look like you're having fun. BTW, I was in Oahu years ago, also on R&R, but not from Nam (from a remote assignment in northern Japan) -- we stayed at a military R&R site they told us was used by a lot of soldiers on R&R from Nam in the years before we came there. I wonder if it was the same place you stayed? It was right on a beach, very secluded, about a half hour from the city.

Alas, I had no run ins with Don Ho or any other celeb there.

Mariana!

Ooooh Weeee! You're looking good gurl. Are those your drinks or his? I see tiny bubbles coming out of the middle glass!

Cheers,

Colonel Possum

Good Morning Yall - wow Love these comments: Ann B. Hello my New Orleans friend - great to see the fleur de lis...I stayed at some wonderful hotel - I will look in my scrap book next time I go back home to La. and see what the name was! Thanks for coming by!!
Colonel Possum - what a pleasant surprise - I wonder if I brought my drink up there - now you have me wondering!
Christina F. Thanks for coming by and I read your lovely chapter just now.
Dan, maybe you did see me!
Thanks Charles
Thank you Kathryn~
Thanks Joy! Salud

Mariana, what fun you had! Nope, never been to Hawaii - too busy in California and I don't fly. But I might consider taking a cruise sometime.

I e-mailed you my mailing address - did you get it?

Never been there, but I love Don Ho. What a beautiful picture of you!

Yes, Cecile - oh I hope I remembered where I wrote it down - ! You don't fly - well, I hope you take the train places...it's so much fun and there's an old railroad near Eureka that folks can ride - you've probably been on it - it's near Ely and on Calif side I think Lone Pine.
Marge - good to see you - thanks so much! Salud.

Wow. Singing on stage. You are one surprise after another Mariana. My husband and I spent two glorious days on Maui and three spectacular days on Kauai. My favorite adventure was hiking the mountain ridge of the Nepali coast. I remember how narrow that ridge was but how glorious the view. On the way back we got on the wrong plane and landed up on Oahu. Having 7 hours to spend to catch another flight home, we took a taxi into Honolulu and sauntered along the beach. We even crashed a wedding ... to dance.

Miz Beryl - what a lovely image of you and your husband crashing a wedding to dance - now, I want more details! I bet you had a blast. Your Maui and Kauai days sounds wonderful - I wish I could have seen a bit more but somehow life got in the way and I never returned to those beautiful islands so I'm enjoying hearing others experiences - so thanks bunches Miz Beryl - it is always a treat to see you! Salud.

What a wonderful story and a fantastic picture, Mariana! I have never been to Hawaii...maybe someday!

Look at you Mariana. Up there singing with Don Ho. What a riot! Too many mai tais you say? I see the drink glasses there. LOL. I love this. What a great picture. I've never been. I hope to get there someday but it's not top priority on my list. I have, however sung along to tiny bubbles with Don Ho on TV!

Hi Mariana, I visited Oahu back in '78 and did get to see Don Ho perform his "Tiny Bubbles". As I recall, I also saw his sister performing at another hotel lounge, too. Thanks for reminding me of that fun trip! Sending a 10 your way!

Melinda - thanks so much for dropping by! Laurun - yes, there I was - I have more pictures I should post - oh I love Tiny Bubbles!
Hi there Curt - I wasn't aware of his sister - thanks for the info! Salud.

Wow, you really brought back memories for me Mariana.

I used to live on Oahu. I had several different jobs but one of them was as a photographer and one of our gigs was the Don Ho show, believe it or not. He used to do the grandma song and all the grandmas would come up on stage and he'd kiss them on the cheek and then sing them all a song. We took pictures of every single kiss and sold them after the show. That was the only show I worked that was a guaranteed sell out every single time!

Moggy - wow - this was probably before your time - this was I think 69 or 70 - maybe you took the picture - I have another I bought as well plus we partied with him afterwards and took pics with our own camera. Your job sounds like a fun one for sure! Thanks for dropping by! Salud.

Great story!

Won't fly, so I've never been. I have a picture very similar to this with Randy Owen (from the group Alabama)...maybe I'll dig it out and scan it one of these days!

Rose - hahaha - well, I was about 20 years old - youth is wasted on youth!

Thanks Miz Stephanie

Ohhhhh Sue S. I can't wait to see it! Salud.

I have never been Mariana, but I wish I had gone, too late now, and I can sure understand why he called you up, is he still alive? I used to love to hear his voice but haven't heard much about him lately, of course not in Hawaii, either, lol. thanks for all your comments Mariana, I am very behind and trying to catch up, lots of little things, well some not so little, taking up a lot of my time, write my stuff about 3 AM in the mornings, and it is getting there, I bet you have a lovely voice.

I can tell you why he called you on the stage ...its no mystry ..your beauty and charm speaks for itself ..I loved the pic and the associated memories of it

Seems like I've seen that picture before! Don never looked so good as with your sweet self!

Hey Girley, You know i've seen that picture of you and Don at your moms house.That was so cool wonderful memory. Loved the true story you do look great.
Love Ya.
Cajun Goddess

I had a weeks R&R on the islands in the early 60's. My expense account covered everything while living at the Hawian Hilton. I was told I could bring my wife over and join me all expenses paid but she refused to come. Wouldn't fly or live the kids.

I didn't feel like spending a week alone so I went up to the Japan Airlines and talked them into the next flight out for home. If my wife was there, I believe we would have had a real nice time. I stayed there a year earlier on the way to Tawian to help start up a new plant, and spent a week with a few of the men with me. I rented a convertable and we drove about everywhere we could.

Down side was that by the time I reach Tawain, I was so sick that I could not leave my room at "The Grand Hotel". A Chinese doctor nursed me for 3 days, while my buddies were enjoying the place for two weeks when we had to leave for the plant.

My memories of the islands are both good and bad, but would like to see them again if I even got the chance.

I've been to Kona, and it was wonderful! I love snorkeling, and I'm ready to go back!

Great story and photo! I've been to The Big Island, Maui and Kauai, mostly on business, but I was able to bring my family each time, so we took some time and had fun.