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Home » Travel

Holiday in Hawaii - December 2020 - Part 6

Published: Jan 22, 2021 · Updated: Jun 18, 2023 by Carissa Erzen · This post may contain affiliate links · 13 Comments

Welcome Holiday in Hawaii - December 2020 - Part 6, to the last and final part of our holiday on the gorgeous island of Oahu, Hawaii. I had the privilege of flying with my partner to visits my parents, who are living on the island for a few years for work. I can't express just how grateful I am to have been able to experience these incredible moments with the people I love. I hope you enjoy reading!

Day 8 - Pali Puka Lookout, Likeke Falls and Honey Toast!

Pali Puka Lookout

By day eight of our dream-come-true trip, we had gotten into a good rhythm. Wake up, grab something quick for breakfast from the kitchen, and run out the door for the awaiting adventures.

We started this particular day by driving out to Pali Puka Lookout. This is the spot where King Kamehameha I drove his army up the treacherous mountain and forced the opposing army over the edge of the steep cliff to plummet below. YIKES. The Pali Puka Lookout provides a panoramic view of the mountains, the lush valley and the expansive ocean.

From the parking lot of the lookout, there is also a crazy-dangerous hike. It is a tiny path that edges along the super steep cliff. Of course, my parents have hiked it, since they are daredevil adventurers. We decided to save it for next time...

Panoramic View from the Pali Puka Lookout - one of the best views during our Holiday in Hawaii - December 2020 - Part 6
Panoramic View from the Pali Puka Lookout
View in between two rock formations of the mountains from the Pali Puka Lookout
View in between two rock formations of the mountains from the Pali Puka Lookout
Steep cliff popping out of the mountain at the Pali Puka Lookout - this was one of the hikes we did not do during our Holiday in Hawaii - December 2020 - Part 6
About where that pointy rock tip meets the tree line is where the dangerous hike ends!
Gnarly tree roots found in the parking lot of the Pali Puka Lookout - there was so much unique plant life we saw during our Holiday in Hawaii - December 2020 - Part 6
These tree roots are gnarly!

Likeke Falls

Next, it was time for a waterfall! We hiked over, under and through gnarly tree roots, fallen logs and twisted vines to get to Likeke Falls. And we must have timed it perfectly, because we had the waterfall all to ourselves. It is two-tiered, so we climbed up to the first ledge and felt like we were truly in the waterfall! You can reach the falls either from above it or below it. We hiked up about a mile from below the waterfall. It was so amazing to be in the middle of a thriving jungle and playing in the cool water of the falls.

But take caution, because three cars, including ours, got their windows smashed in while we were hiking.

An old toad towards the beginning of our hike to Likeke Falls
An old toad towards the beginning of our hike to Likeke Falls
lush trees and giant leaves and thick vines
I felt like Tarzan, there were so many lush trees and giant leaves and thick vines!
tree roots along the hiking trail that poked in and out of the ground everywhere on hikes during our Holiday in Hawaii - December 2020 - Part 6
We had to watch our step - the tree roots poked in and out of the ground everywhere
Likeke Falls - the best and only waterfall we visited during our Holiday in Hawaii - December 2020 - Part 6
Likeke Falls

Hidden Art

Along the Pali Highway, my mom pulled off the road by a random old telephone booth. I was like, uhhh... mom...? What's going on?? And she just said to get out of the car and walk behind the fence and into the jungle to see something cool.
Yeah, sure, I'll go into a thick jungle without any clue where I am??

But it actually turned out okay, because there's this vibrant art painted on an old abandoned pumphouse. Who knew something so unique and interesting could be hidden off a highway!

An old abandoned pumphouse, now filled with foliage and art, which was one of the most unique things we found during our Holiday in Hawaii - December 2020 - Part 6
An old abandoned pumphouse, now filled with foliage and art
An old abandoned pumphouse, now filled with foliage and art
I wonder if the paintings were done recently, because the colors were so vibrant
An old abandoned pumphouse, now filled with foliage and art
I don't know what this art means, but it was super cool

Dinner at Ala Moana Shopping Center & Dessert at Shokuda!

We had a blast walking around the Ala Moana Shopping Center for the second time on this trip. We enjoyed browsing the shops we don't have in Oregon. But most importantly, we hit up the food court, where I ordered delicious bibimbap!

Korean bibimbap (one of my favorite dishes everrr) at Ala Moana Food Court. And the best Korean food I had during our Holiday in Hawaii - December 2020 - Part 6
Korean bibimbap (one of my favorite dishes everrr) at Ala Moana Food Court

After dinner, we still had room for the best desserts ever - honey toast! We drove to Shokuda and the four of use split two orders of honey toast. We got the chocolate honey toast with a rich fudge sauce as well as the cookies and cream honey toast with caramel drizzle. Even after I was so full that I felt like I was splitting at the seams, I kept eating because it was so freaking delicious!!! Honey toast is one of the best inventions in history. Period.

HONEY TOAST at Shokuda! Probably the best dessert we had during our Holiday in Hawaii - December 2020 - Part 6
HONEY TOAST at Shokuda!

Day 9 - Snorkeling at Hanaumu Bay, Leonard's Malasadas, Iolani Palace

Hanaumu Bay

Because of the pandemic, Hanaumu Bay shut down. It re-opened after nine months while were were there in Hawaii. And we couldn't pass up the opportunity to (1) snorkel in one of the world's best snorkeling spots, and (2) get to witness the wildlife after having zero human interruption over the past nine months! We saw SO MANY incredible fish! It was hands-down one of the coolest experiences I have ever had the opportunity to partake in.

View of Hanamu Bay as we were some of the first people to enter that day
View of Hanamu Bay as we were some of the first people to enter that day
Looking out a Hanamu Bay after a magical time snorkeling
Looking out a Hanamu Bay after a magical time snorkeling
View of Hanamu Bay after snorkeling at one of the best snorkeling spots we visited during our Holiday in Hawaii - December 2020 - Part 6
It's neat to see how many people truly care for the previous land, water and wildlife in the bay.

Leonard's Malasadas!

Ok, if you've never had a malasada, put down your phone or your laptop, get in your car, and drive to the nearest bakery that sells them. Or drive to the grocery store and get the ingredients to make them. You'll be so happy you did, because malasadas are like thick clouds of heavenly fried dough and sugar. And if you visit Oahu, go to Leonard's Bakery and get like seven dozen of their malasadas because they are the bomb. My mouth is watering just thinking about them! And they were the perfect sweet treat after swimming with the fishieees.

Hot and fresh Li Hing malasada from Leonard's Bakery food truck
Hot and fresh Li Hing malasada!

Historical Sites Downtown

In the evening, we drove downtown to visit Ali?i?lani Hale, Iolani Palce and Kawaiaha?o Church. We wanted to see a bit of downtown and a few of the historical landmarks before we left.

Ali?i?lani Hale was used in the show Hawaii Five-O as the police headquarters.

Aliʻiōlani Hale at sunset
Ali?i?lani Hale at sunset

Iolani Palace is where Hawaii's royalty resided. However, in 1895, the U.S. imprisoned Queen Liliuokalani in her bedroom in the palace, because she fought against America's attempts to establish their own government on the island.

Iolani Palace decorated with Christmas-color balloons
Iolani Palace decorated with Christmas-color balloons
Front gates at Iolani Palace
Front gates at Iolani Palace

Kawaiaha?o Church is one of the most unique churches I have ever seen. It is built out of coral! If you were to run your hands along the wall, you'd be able to feel the spiky edges of the coral that comprise the church. It was originally built in 1820, as the very first Christian church on Oahu.

Kawaiahaʻo Church
Kawaiaha?o Church
View of the gate of Kawaiahaʻo Church and the sky and palm trees
We could only see these landmarks outside their gates, since they were all closed.
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus statues in downtown Waikiki
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, chilling in style!

Big Kahuna Pizza

For our last dinner, we got pizza! And not just any pizza. BIG KAHUNA PIZZA, BABY! My family all split a large, with half BBQ chicken pizza and half white pizza with olives. It was so delicious. I'd go back just for the pizza... and literally everything else we ate.

Big Kahuna Pizza
The most delicious pizza every - it had tons of toppings & a perfectly thick crust

Day 10 - Wet 'n' Wild Water Park

Wet 'n' Wild Water Park

When day ten arrived, we were so stoked! We love water parks, and Wet 'n' Wild surpassed our expectations! They have this one slide called the "shaka" and it's insane. It was probably the scariest and most fun slide because you can reach a speed of up to 31 miles per hour while you feel like you're literally free-falling all alone in your inner tube! They had a couple slides where it was pitch black inside, which was terrifying and thrilling all at once. The wave pool was a blast, and we spent a ton of time on the Tornado, which was like a giant toilet bowl. If you ever go to Oahu, take at least half a day and go to Wet 'n' Wild!

After a fun day at the water park, we went paddle boarding. I didn't take any photos, since I was way out in the ocean trying to keep my balance on the board as the waves came in. It was so much fun! I only fell once, when I was trying to do a bad ass yoga pose on the board.

Some of the fun slides at the water park
The map of all the rides and attractions at Wet 'n' Wild

Day 11 - Leaving Hawaii

On Sunday morning, I made crepes with my Dad. When my sister and I were little, my Dad would make crepes with yogurt and berries every single Sunday. We would put some birthday candles in one of the crepes and sing my mom "happy birthday". Yup, every. single. Sunday. It was honestly the best because we would all cram into bed with my parents and devour delicious crepes. So, to relive those delightful days (and because it was a Sunday), we made crepes.

I said "see ya later" to my cat, Marilyn, the sunshine, and the beaches. Then my parents drove us to the airport and we boarded the plan to come back to Oregon. Now we can't we for the next adventure! Where will it be??

My cat, Marilyn, doing what she does best - lounging in the shade
My cat, Marilyn, doing what she does best - lounging in the shade
View of Oahu from our plane.
View of Oahu from our plane - see you next time!

More Travel Posts about Hawaii

Check out Part 1 of our trip, when we landed in Oahu and watched the sunset at Sand Island on Day 1. Then on Day 2, hiked to the Lanikai Pillboxes and went to Waikiki Beach for a swim in the ocean and sunset with pineapple dole whip.

Check out Part 2 of our trip, when we went snorkeling at Shark's Cove, devoured shave ice, toured a few more beaches and watched the sunset at Barber's Point, all on Day 3.

Check out Part 3 of our trip, when we hiked the Pink Pillbox trail, snorkeled with turtles, watched the sunset at Secret Beach, and ate katsu chicken ramen. Then toured the magical Aulani Disney Resort, ate all the goodies from Liliha Bakery, and watched the sunset at Ala Moana.

Check out Part 4 of our trip, when we walked out to Ka'ena Point and saw all kinds of wildlife. Then paid our respects at the USS Arizona Memorial and USS Utah Memorial.

Check out Part 5 of our trip, when we went on an epic raptor tour and a daredevil zipline adventure at Kualoa Ranch. Then watched the surfers catch some waves at the Banzai Pipeline while the sun was setting.

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  • Visit Sweet Land Farm on Oahu

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About Carissa Erzen

Growing up in Germany, I fell head-over-heels in love with ALL the German baked goods, from Lebkuchen to pretzels. Now I'm the founder, recipe developer, and food photographer behind Humbly Homemade, where I test and share German sweets lovingly created from scratch. So pull up a chair, and stay a while!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. An Ordinary Girl

    July 24, 2021 at 7:20 am

    Super post & pics! It made me think of my trip to Hawaii in 2015. The art that you saw at the pump house is Hindu Gods & Goddesses. 🙂

    Reply
    • strawberryandcream

      July 26, 2021 at 9:46 pm

      Thank you!! What was one of your highlights from your trip?
      Ohh I was wondering if that's what they were since some were painted blue! Do you know which ones they are?

      Reply
      • An Ordinary Girl

        July 27, 2021 at 8:57 pm

        One of my highlights was driving down to Waimea Canyon from Poipu in a convertible. In India, the weather is never suitable for a convertible... So that was an exhilarating experience! But pretty much everything about Kauai was mind-blowing.

        The first image seems to be of Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. You can see a name painted next to the image – Deb... Deb is a common Bengali name! The second portrait seems to be an abstract blue woman.
        The image which has a doorway in between has 2 portraits... On the left is Goddess Kali (with a garland of decapitated heads), a destroyer of evil! She's the consort of Lord Shiva whose portrait is on the right (with the cobra around his neck).
        Shiva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism often called Mahadev (meaning The Great God) …

        Reply
        • strawberryandcream

          August 07, 2021 at 9:47 pm

          Wow driving in a convertible in Kauai sounds like a dream come true!!

          Thank you so much for explaining what the paintings represent. I have a much deeper appreciation for this art we found! <3

          Reply
  2. indianeskitchen

    January 24, 2021 at 10:14 pm

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures. We were suppose to spend our 30th anniversary there in November and had to cancel. Huge disappointment but we will go sometime in the future.

    Reply
    • strawberryandcream

      January 24, 2021 at 10:16 pm

      I hope you get to go soon! 🐠☀️🌊🌴 Did you do something else fun for your anniversary?

      Reply
      • indianeskitchen

        January 24, 2021 at 10:22 pm

        No we are still pretty much staying home. We have had our 2 grandkids living with us as my daughter is a critical care ICU nurse working with the Covid patients. She received her 2nd vaccine last week and the grandkids will be able to go home on the 31st. My husband gets his 2nd vaccine tomorrow but I am still waiting to be able to get mine.

        Reply
        • strawberryandcream

          January 27, 2021 at 5:15 pm

          That's great everyone is getting vaccinated! Hopefully you can get yours soon too, I'm still waiting to be able to get mine too.

          Reply
          • indianeskitchen

            January 29, 2021 at 10:58 pm

            Good luck I hope you can get it soon.

            Reply
  3. Yum-number1

    January 23, 2021 at 9:32 am

    I hoped this trip would never end so I can keep reading more posts! 😭 what a great trip, I'm so glad you experienced that with your family and glad you wrote about it because it's just so exciting reading it 🙂

    Reply
    • strawberryandcream

      January 24, 2021 at 10:16 pm

      Aww thank you!! I'm really grateful for all the experiences too 🥰

      Reply

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