209/365 Pearl Harbor , Waimea Valley, Haleiwa

We were at the Ha'Lewia beach park (north side of O'ahu) and I asked if it was hard to learn to ride that. She asked if we wanted to try, offering up her board for Ilana to use. We chatted about Florida (she'd been to EPCOT Center), Hawaii, and travel. She's never seen snow, and would like to one day, but she said she doesn't need to leave the islands very much. Everything is here, she said. She takes her board on the river or to the bay, and nature washes away her cares. It's just the sky and the sea turtles.

We saw more rainbows than we could count today, including one beautiful rainbow across the sky as we contemplated the destruction at Pearl Harbor. Looking down at the tomb of more than 1,100 men, even our self-absorbed teen felt the weight of loss.

That was contrasted by the incredible beauty as we took on a waterfall and botanical garden in the rainforest section of the island. We swam beneath the fall, heavy with rain water, and walked the trails through the vibrant forest in the afternoon mist.

To top it all off, we enjoyed our 2nd Hawaiian shaved ice. I went all out and did the cream and azuki beans too. Mmmm. What a place!