We are up early (as usual) today. But instead of our normal beach walk, we drive to Kalapawai market for our coffee, then take it with us as we drive to Diamond Head. Today we have decided to hike up Diamond Head, and we’ve read that we need to be there before 8am. Heck we’re up anyway – so what does it matter?
The weather is a little funky on our side of the island – lots of clouds over the mountains and a stiff breeze. We head over to Honolulu, hoping the rains will hold off and are rewarded with bright sunny skies. You just can’t rely on the forecasts here! It’s sunny, it’s rainy, it’s cloudy. You know – you just have to go and do and if you get a little wet? Eh, so what!
We also want to hit the Kapi’olani Community College (KCC) farmer’s market after Diamond Head, if we can find it. It is supposed to be the biggest and the best of the markets. So, we’ll see. Well – no problem finding the market! It’s right on the way to Diamond Head, and as we round the corner past the market at 7:30AM, it is already packed. Amazing!
We bypass the market and head straight to Diamond Head (about 2/10ths of a mile past the market). People are streaming into the park – it’s not even 8am. Wow! We decide to pay the $5 fee to park –instead of parking down the crater a bit and walking in. Turns out that’s a smart decision because for some reason (Earth day?) it’s free to park today. Nice!
We also manage to grab the best parking spot in the place – the very first space next to the trail. Our day is starting well! And it continues on….the hike is great – although we don’t remember it at all. We were here in 2007, but don’t remember climbing up this trail with it’s switch backs and inclines traversing the inside of the caldera.
Nor do we remember the tunnel.
Or the stairs. Oh my! 99 stairs to get to the spiral stairs to get to the look out. Well – heck – it’s a good thigh burn – let’s go!
We’re game – and of course, the view from the bunkers at the top are spectacular. Looking down on Waikiki and Honolulu – there isn’t a better viewpoint – or a better morning hike, really.
There is a great lighthouse on the windward side of Honolulu…
And even though the lighting isn’t the best, the view to Hawaii Kai and the inside of the caldera is still pretty spectacular. 
We hike back down – just short of an hour round trip, and make our way to the Farmer’s Market. And it is huge. We luck out on the parking – find a space right away (after watching a bunch of cars circling). The market doesn’t disappoint – it’s great – with lots of vegetable vendors (we don’t need anything – only 2 days left) and tons and tons of food vendors. It’s a shame we aren’t that hungry and it’s not lunch time. The food in phenomenal.
We peruse every booth – and sample everywhere we can – but end up only buying roasted corn for our early morning snack. With parmesan cheese no less. Yum.
After our nice morning snack, we head back to Kailua for lunch – left over pork and Portuguese Sausage on the grill, then just hanging out for the rest of the afternoon reading and just generally relaxing.
Dinner in tonight – chicken on the grill which we use on top of salad. With a great fresh breeze, it’s a lovely evening to spend out back of our little Kailua cottage.
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