I woke up on Monday at 4:15 am, because I remembered I forgot to charge the camera! (I did bring a second camera, just in case the first one broke or ran out of battery, but my main one is ruggedized and waterproof so I really didnt want to have to take the second one! Luckily it got fully charged in the 2 hours before we left that morning). We drank coffee and tea on the porch, while listening to the sounds all around us (the water and wind) and seeing Aulani get brighter with the colors light up (green grass, tan beaches, blue ocean). Its just so relaxing to enjoy the mornings slowly but we did want to get to Diamond Head (as what we read recommended you get there as close to the 6am opening as possible).
We got to Diamond Head and paid to park (they are cash only, $1.00 per person to get in or $5.00 per car to park and get in). They actually had a line waiting to park, but we werent waiting very long as car #4 in line (there were many people parking well before the gate and walking through the tunnel, but we chose to just wait to park). In my reading I learned that this hike is considered easy to moderate. I would say that it was moderate going up, easy going down (soooo much easier going down!) The path starts off pretty smooth, and then gets a bit rockier.
We were getting a bit of rain too which made us a little weary at the prospect of slipping (or rocks coming loose and falling on our head).
There were handrails in some places, but there was traffic going up and down the small paths at the same time (and only handrails on one side or the other at a time). Before you get to the stairs portion of the trail there is a pretty nice lookout.
The little ledge you can stand on to look out further!
Then you hit the fun part 99 stairs, followed by a dark tunnel, followed by 76 more stairs (these ones seemed even steeper than the first set), followed by entrance into the bunker area and a trip up a metal creepy spiral staircase (again, with traffic going both ways).
I dont know this person, but I wanted to show you how you have to exit the bunker
Then you crawl out of the bunker (theres no door, you have to bend over to get out) and you step into the most beautiful view! You can climb some more stairs to get higher and different views. It was definitely worth all those stairs!
The bowl of the crater
Looking over the ocean and Waikiki
After Diamond Head (we were there for about 2 hours) we headed east to Koko Crater. On the way we passed Halona Blowhole and parked to watch (the Halona Blowhole is spouting water from waves crashing and moving through the natural lava tubes). It was awesome to see, and fun when everyone cheered for the eruption!
We traveled along the cost a bit more to sightsee (or because we passed our turn, who knows...) and got out to turn around and take pictures of the Seabird Sanctuaries (if you look on a map, youll see we went well past KoKo Botanical Gardens, lol).
Me and DH with sanctuaries in the background
By the time we finally found Koko Crater (it was pretty hard to find as there werent very many signs to guide you there) we were both edging on hungry and tired, and needing a reapplication of sunscreen (at least we brought water so we werent thirsty, although we did have to be wary that Koko Crater has no restrooms). As long as we were there we decided to go ahead and just stop somewhere for food as soon as we were done (as there didnt seem to be anything close by). The crater was pretty cool to tour! There were lots of pretty flowers (tons of Plumeria), and then some other interesting plants, cacti, and trees.
It was also fun (and hot) to be in the crater (you could look in all directions and see that you were in a bowl). I dont know how Koko would rate compared to other botanical gardens, but we enjoyed it.
Next up (after food... which was McDonalds... I know... we should have eaten something healthier or at least more Hawaiian, but we were both desperate for something fast!) was the Manoa Trail. I LOVED the rainforest hike! It was otherworldly to see such huge trees and all the foliage.
Huge Trees
The trail was pretty rugged though, even though my research said it was easy. I guess the hike was pretty easy, but the path was sometimes very thin (washed away), often waterlogged (we wondered when we started why people kept coming off the path with their shoes and legs covered in mud), and also a little precarious (steep steps that required a little jumping from my short stature, or rocks that required some careful attention before you used them as steps).
The entire trail was worth it though (if you are into plants, bamboo, and trees) and pretty fulfilling at the end when you finally reached the waterfall.
Unlike Diamond Head though, where going down was easier than going up, Mano seemed more difficult to go down to me (as, like I said, some steps I would have to jump down, and some rocks Id have to jump down). It was still fun though. I was glad we saved it until the end of our day though, as we did end up covered in mud from the knees down!
We went right back to Aulani to shower and then we headed to the pool to relax.
Wailana Quiet Pool
Makai Preserve (Manta Rays)
Then we went to the tiered hot tub to watch the sunset (after we got our wristbands, of course). There were a decent amount of people around watching the sunset, but I wouldnt call it crowded (it was just more people than I had seen in once place at one time at Aulani). The sunset really was beautiful to watch, and the view in the hot tub was great!
Aulani Sunset
We finished our night by taking a spin on the water slide, floating the lazy river, and checking out the fire before we headed off to bed.
Whoo waterslide photos didnt come out so well!
Up Next: Laniwai Spa and Paradise Cove Luau
*DH realized that our studio was different than what was pictured in the floor plan wed seen online. The floor plan showed the balcony at an angle off the room, but the first two buildings of the resort actually have their balcony facing straight on. It wasnt a big deal, we just found it interesting. One explanation (besides the simple fact that there are 2 versions of the studio and they didnt release both in the publications) is that our room did have an indoor door on it that would have lead to the next room over (making it a 2-bedroom lock off).
Can't wait to read more. We are heading there in 6 short months!!!
I just booked our air yesterday- we had enough FF miles to fly r/t, and on the way back 1st class. 
Well, at least for part of it. 
I figured I should book that while I can- and the kauai portion of our trip....while I wait and pray for something to be available at 7 months at Aulani...
loving your TR. Keep it coming....
