April 14 PCC and Circle Island Tour

We were picked up by a tour bus just after 8 AM and stopped at several points along the island before arriving at the PCC after noon.  We saw and heard about lots of things that we wouldn't have experienced in another way.    I was sad that the driver didn't even really slow down much as we passed the LDS Temple.  I think that if she had shown a little more excitement and interest in it more people probably would have made the effort to go and see it.  (She was employed by a bus company, not the PCC.)

While I was working in the office in Texas on my mission (1963) we got a phone call from a student at SMU who had been to Hawaii with family and had picked up pamphlets at the visitors center.  They were in his suitcase when he packed for school and he got interested in them.  He had called the mission to see if he could find out more about the church.  My companion and I taught him the lessons.  At first his mother told him no but when he turned 18 he was baptized and was a fireball.  He worked with the Elders even before he was baptized.  I have always valued visitor centers and the missionary tool that they can be.  I have an especially tender feeling for the this visitors center. 

Our first stop was Diamond Head and Black Point Lookout

Next we stopped at the Halona Blow Hole
   

Then to Makapuu Lookout and Light House

Pali Lookout was very pretty.

Although the Dole Plantation was a very commercial operation I really enjoyed it.  We ate a pineapple sherbet cone while we wandered the grounds and saw how pineapple is planted and grown.  They claim that every pineapple is hand picked. 

The last stop was Sunset Beach.  You could see why it is so famous. 

 We had a lovely afternoon and evening at the PCC.  We took a bus over to the Laie Temple but didn't take the time to go to the Visitors Center.  We were unable to get to all of the villages and exhibits but we did see the canoe pageant, the "Hawaiian Journey" cinematic experience and a few of the villages before we went to the Luau Dinner and show and then the "HA: Breath of Life" performance.  The fire dancing was superior.  I've seen it several times but this was the best I have seen.  No cameras were allowed so you will just have to go and see it yourself!

 The Laie Temple was dedicated by President Grant on November 7, 1919, Thanksgiving Day.  

Our taxi picked us up at 5:15 the next morning and took us to the airport where we flew home and concluded a wonderful trip!