Hawaii Part 2: History & Hollywood

Honolulu, Hawaii 2019

Hawaii… The crossroads of the Pacific. As a US Marine I found this island, that in which the US has occupied since 1898 and then added as the 50th added State in the Union in 1959, holding a unique and almost reverent place. It is where the US still holds a far-reaching navel base. And in the 1940s the Empire of the Rising Sun knew this all too well. Japan wanted to be recognized for its own contributions during World War 1 and put simply – old racial viewpoints held sway vs doing what could have altered the second world war. Possible for a less bloody affair in the Pacific. But historical conjecture and arguments aside every American and Japanese knows or should know fateful words of Tora Tora Tora (Code word for Attack used by the Japanese) on December 7th, 1941 – A Day of Infamy. One day I hope to equally pay respects to fallen at Hiroshima or Nagasaki. I believe then and now, we can honor lessons truly learned without continued malice if all are willing to move forward in proven empathy and fellowship.

Pearl Harbor 2019

So naturally Alicia and I showed up at the Pear Harbor Memorial site the day after her arrival Folks, if you ever venture to O’ahu, do yourself a favor and pay respects to Pearl. So much I did not know and almost as much I was reminded of during that time in the US history. You will be amazed at how small the harbor truly is. It had to have been shooting fish in a barrel for the Japanese pilots. Folks, you will read and walk through the timeframe of what happened, the hubris from both sides, how the island became a fortress, and how President FDR sent thousands of Japanese Americans to US Concentration Camps. No, these camps were not the same as what Nazi’s used. But yes, America is not always Star Spangled Awesome. Not FDR’s greatest decision, and not the last time the US used misguided Xenophobia to justify terrible policies towards people. We have our own darker history that challenges the very core of “All Men are created Equal…” However, that doesn’t mean we are always beyond redemption either. As we both were mostly silently strolling through the placards posted in that almost mausoleum of history, we decided to take the short boat ride over the sunken and very visible USS Arizona. We could not walk on the floating crypt that is now overlooking the sunken USS Arizona due to the Governmental Shut down (December 22, 2018 – January 25, 2019). Unfortunate, but that was due because of wanting to build a wall that is still yet to be fully funded or built.

Pearl Harbor 2019

Humor was not lost on such a somber trip across Pearl… Branch bashing within the services is ok… If you served in the military and typically did your job in a forward area. So, I did get the wheelman (Sailor) with the circle game. No playful jab that followed, I only play for the laughs. I would like to think that a moment of comedy for us all helped the monotony of a constant trip around the USS Arizona helped brighten the day for these two Sailors. Or maybe they privately wished this Marine to get bent and eat another crayon. Either way it was worth it.

Sometime later… Or maybe the next day…

Alicia picked out a great adventure for us to go on. The Hollywood tour. Not my typical, but I was down to not think and let her take the lead on what she wanted to give a go on. We reached the Kualoa Ranch in no time. This spot offers horseback riding (Alicia being an advocate for all things nature and animals loved seeing the horses) as well as many things to do in the Jungle – Walking and Ziplining. For us… Hollywood baby! I did not know thousands of movies and TV productions have taken place in Hawaii.

Kualoa Ranch O'ahu, Hawaii 2019

For me, the most recognizable will always be Jurassic Park, and it was filmed right in the Valley with Styrofoam set pieces still there waiting to be seen by any who fancy a touch of a silver screen sight. Our tour guide (I have an uncanny ability to forget names the moment someone tells me) was hilarious, charming, and made sure to bring a toy T-Rex to make sure we all got a chance for our close encounter on. Whilst I was and still not one for tourist traps this one was heaps of fun and had some beautiful views from on top of a hilltop/mountain top. 

Kualoa Ranch O'ahu, Hawaii 2019

The guide made it that way and we both learned a lot about the TV and filming history of Hawaii. What I found equally random and interesting is that the tour guide talked about the ancient high ranking Hawaiian chiefs remains were often buried in hidden mountain caves. Apparently, the remains of king Kamehameha, who united all of Hawaii together, is still a secret and/or simply not found. Who knows folks, one day a climber might one day be hanging on to something more interesting in the crux of his/her climb. You will not find me climbing anything any time soon. I still remember falling off Mt. Beerwah in Aus. Instead of wine and acetaminophen we made it back to the Airbnb no worse for wear. 

If I remember, which I may not, that night there was a free performance/Luau near Waikiki next to the Duke Kahanamoku Statue. Folks, just try to say that name fast and you just might not sound too much like a mainlander ass. Heads up though, there are no free good Luau in Hawaii… So do not let the advertisement fool you, there was no Hawaiian barbecue or fire dances that we saw.

O'ahu, Hawaii 2019

©Dustin J. Casey 2025