Today, we began with breakfast at Mom’s friend’s house. We spent about an hour with Kim and her kids, eating fresh fruit and malesadas (hot custard-filled donuts rolled in sugar) and enjoying the spectacular view from their lanai. It overlooked all of the famous sites on the island - Diamondhead, Waikiki, Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, etc… It was breathtaking. (Click for a larger image…)

After breakfast, we went to the Punchbowl (why is it called that? I have no idea) - the National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific. This memorial was erected to honor (and provide burial grounds) for soldiers who fought in all the Pacific battles (Pearl Harbor, Midway, etc…). It’s gorgeous - the graveyard is situated on the top of a mountain overlooking Honolulu.

The lawn in front of the memorial structure

Soldiers’ names are etched into the marble walls all over the memorial

A view of the memorial’s grounds,
Diamondhead crater in the distance

The edge of the cemetary, overlooking Honolulu

Honolulu, Diamondhead in the background

After leaving the Punchbowl, we went to the Hale Koa for a concert of military bands (a “Twilight Tattoo”). All the branches were there to play - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines - as well as a Drum and Fife corps from Washington DC and a local bagpipe group (ugh - have you ever heard 15 bagpipes all playing the same tune at the same time?). It was a very impressive event… quite a spectacle. It was a beautiful day.

The Pacific Fleet Band

The Marine Band