It is hard to leave Kauai, especially when you know that it is a fast jump back into civilization. Our flight was on time, and short. Hunt and I took the shuttle to Hertz to get the car and that's when the trouble began. We were first in line, got the paperwork done and then they sent us outside to wait for our name to be called. Turns out that they were out of cars and had way too many people signed up. I half expected a riot as more buses showed up and the wait exceeded an hour.

We weren't the first to think of it but neither were we the last. Other rental car companies had cars and were within walking distance. Hello, Enterprise! It took us about an hour to figure it out and get it done but we did get a car and cancel the other one. And then we went to get Karen and Steve and the bags from baggage claim. Their wait was probably worse because they were just waiting on us to get it done.

The traffic from the airport was not bad for Honolulu. We got to the hotel and the parking lot was sort of full. I parked us once and then Hunt was able to move to a better spot soon. It took a while to check into the Aqua Wave but our rooms are very nice. It's odd not to be sharing a condo with Karen and Hunt. 

We all met in the lobby shortly after checking in to go to our favorite end of day bar – the one around the banyon tree at the Ala Moana Surfrider Hotel. I got my favorite drink (a tropical itch) that has lots of rum and a backscratcher. I should have taken a photo. Didn't. I suppose I'll need to go back and get another!

There was live music and then there was an Asian drum show – with dancing! The drummers were all ages and I have to say the the little kids were so very cute. Everyone was talented:

As I stood and watched, others also moved in to watch and take photos. And videos. Many were in beach garb. Remember the photo of the man who might have been a plumber at the beach? Well, he is not alone.

In many beach bars there are signs that say cover-ups are required. I will never again question those signs.

In other news Waikiki itself looks better than I've ever seen it. Fresher, newer. Even the International Marketplace is cleaner. After we all calmed down from the rental car experience, we walked Karen and Hunt to the beach for a first look:

We walked to Keoni's for a thai dinner. it was very good! Then we headed back toward the hotel. When you ar here for the first time, it can be overwhelming. 

Steve and I are back in our hotel for the night. Here's our night view:

There is live music (loud) way down there. We sleep with earplugs for which I am grateful. 

Tomorrow Hunt and Karen are headed to the Arizona Memorial and more. They will have a great time. We've been there more than once and so we are planning to chill on the beach and in Waikiki. No car, no plans, that sounds really good to us. I'll take pictures. They could be boring :-).