Jsnww81 From United States, joined Jan 2002, 1711 posts, RR: 22 Reply 2, posted (3 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 5623 times:
Great report - my mom grew up in Hawaii, and every summer we got sent there to stay with grandparents as well. Not that I minded, although we were on Maui, which in those days was sleepier than it is now.
Funny you mention Tripler Army Hospital (the "Pink Palace") - that's where my mom, aunts and uncles were all born. My grandparents lived on Maui, but my grandmother flew (on Hawaiian DC-6s in those days!) to Oahu to have all her kids in the army hospital where it was free to veterans and their families.
Pass-O-Guava nectar is delicious. It's basically POG (passion-orange-guava) which is like a staple for kids growing up in Hawaii. I've looked everywhere for something similar here on the mainland, but no luck.
The LIH approach is great as long as you get a port-side seat, which you did. The other side is nothing but ocean all the way down. It's rare, but sometimes aircraft land on the original runway 3-21, which means a lot of low-altitude turns over the town of Lihue - much more exciting! I did it once when I was 11 or 12 years old.
I haven't been to Kauai in about 10 years now... but my parents plan to retire on the north shore (in Haena near Hanalei) next year. So it looks like I'll be going back soon!
Futureualpilot From United States, joined May 2000, 2221 posts, RR: 9 Reply 3, posted (3 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 5461 times:
Awsome report, but the pic you have linked as a CO 764, is a 777.
777fan From United States, joined Jan 2006, 1845 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (3 years 10 months 1 week 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 5307 times:
Cool report. As a Hawaii resident, I can't help but add a few notes:
- First and foremost, I happen to live on the 31st floor of the apartment building that was "visited" by Air China a few years ago. I wasn't here at the time but have spoken to a few neighbors that were and can attest to just how close the aircraft came (some claim to have seen people through the windows of the 744 as it passed by). Our buildings (42 stories tall) sit a mere 6.5 miles from the "reef" runway at HNL (8R/22L) and provide plane-o-philes with ample opportunties to gawk. The daily Qantas HNL-SYD 744 is notorious for taking off long and low and then making a sharp (read: last minute) turn away from downtown per FAA rules.
- LIH is a great airport to fly into although the cliffs you mentioned often make for a bumpy approach when the tradewinds are howling as they are today!
- Finally, for those traveling interisland and looking to see some sights from above, I would highly recommend sitting on the left side of practically every flight in and out of HNL, especially on HA, whose 717s are in a 2-3 configuration. Flights from HNL-OGG will provide left siders amazing views of Molokai, Lanai and the windward coast of Maui.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing" - Edmund Burke
Mauiman31 From United States, joined Sep 2007, 331 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 year 5 months 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 2480 times:
Thanks, enjoyed your report very much. Fun read and great pics/vid. Since it was 3 years ago, was fun to see the former F/J AA 767-3 cabin which we liked very much. Like the new cabin/seats also, but it has a different feel. Heading back to HNL in July on AA. Can't wait.