Norwalk Kendo Dojo Hawaii Trip, Aug 2007

Summary (see below for details)

  1. one week trip to Oahu, 8/2 through Thu 8/9
  2. kendo keiko at 3 dojos
  3. optional side trip to Maui w/keiko
updated 0707.31
  1. the idea:
    • the SEJSCC carnival occurs every year in July (this year 7/28-29)
    • the gym floor is refinished immediately following this, so we cannot practice for two weeks (this year Mo 7/30 - Su 8/12)
    • try to take a dojo trip during this two week break

  2. practice at some Hawaii Kendo Federation dojos. Possibilities:
    • Kaifukan Dojo, Kailua Oahu [Tu Th 7-8:30p, Sa 2-3p (iaido 1-2p)]
      Maeda sensei knows Koh sensei (taught at Taiwan National University for 2 years). Windward side of Oahu.
    • Kenshikan Dojo, Honolulu Oahu [Tu We 7:30-9:30p, Sa 9:30a-12p]
      largest dojo in HKF (120 of 360 members), very nice facility (built with Otsuka funds). Some 13WKC team members. See article.
    • HKF Honbu Keiko, Kaimuki Oahu [Su 10-11:30a (iaido 8:30-10a)]
      weekly godo keiko for HKF
    • Mitsune Dojo, Wailuku, Maui [Mo We Fr 7-8:30p]
      small dojo, to host a keiko with us would need to reserve YMCA
    • Waipahu Seibukan Dojo, Aiea Oahu [Sa 9-11a]
      Roxy Kubo's dojo
    • see annotated Oahu photo and Hawaii Kendo Federation (HKF) dojo list

  3. proposed schedule (see google map and calendar) 
    • Th 8/2: arrive in Oahu, rent minivan; Punch Bowl, Pali, Nuuanu Valley Rain
        Forest, Byodo-in/Valley of the Temples, Kailua/Lanikai beaches,
        Kaifukan Dojo keiko, hotel in Waikiki
Fr 8/3: Arizona Memorial, Kaifukan bbq, hike to Makapuu Lighthouse, Sandy
        Beach/Blow Hole, Puu Ualakaa State Park
Sa 8/4: Waipahu Seibukan keiko, Dole Plantation, North Shore (Matsumoto
        Shave Ice, Pupukea snorkeling), drive back windward side, Polynesian
        Cultural Center?
Su 8/5: Diamond Head trail, HKF Honbu keiko (yudansha)
Mo 8/6: flight to Maui, Kula Botanical Garden, Haleakala, Iao Valley,
        Mitsune Dojo (keikogi/hakama only)
Tu 8/7: road to Hana, Waianapanapa State Park, 7 Sacred Pools,
        Lahaina?, flight to Oahu
We 8/8: Arizona Memorial (if not Fri), Kenshikan keiko
Th 8/9: return to Los Angeles

  4. preliminary budget (as of 2/2/07)
    • $367.30     airfare LAX or ONT to HNL round trip (7:30a-10:20a, 9:30a-5:50p)
  194       7 nights @$97+14% (4 people per room)
  (30)?     minivan rental ($397.99 for 7-person minivan, per week)
  250 ?     meals (@ $35 per day?)
   15 ?     omiage (gifts to dojos and senseis visited)
 ----
 $857 ?     per person ($827 if dojo pays for minivans)

  194       additional per person if double occupancy
  388       additional per person if single occupancy

   90       Maui: airfare HNL-OGG round trip
  (25)?     minivan rental ($397.99 for 7-person minivan, per week)
  (30)?     gym rental ($300)
-----
 $145 ?     additional per person ($90 if dojo pays for minivans and gym)
    • Note: these are low fare prices, not guaranteed until purchased! For more typical high season airfares add $200-300.
      - need a commitment (names and credit card numbers) by the end of January (at or before Mon keiko 1/29)
      - contact Mrs Hamamura (junko.hamamura@kintetsu.com) for questions or to sign up
      - airfare is not refundable
    • possible sightseeing (from Dean Fukawa, some typical things for first timers)
      - Hanauma Bay snorkeling
      - Diamond Head Crater hike (great views of Waikiki)
      - North Shore (surfing Mecca)
      - USS Arizona and Battleship Missouri tours
      - Polynesian Cultural Center
      - Valley of the Temples
      - Fish auction
      - Glen Grant ghost tours
      - Bishop Museum
      - Iolani Palace tour
      - other: luau, surfing lessons and other water sport activities, golf, beaches, etc

  5. optional trip to Maui: Mon - Tue
    • Mon: depart HNL 8am (leave hotel 6am)
      - Haleakala
      - Iao Valley
      - keiko w/two Maui dojos (requires renting a gym)
    • Tue: leave hotel 7:30am
      - road to Hana, Seven Sacred Pools
      - Lahaina, including dinner
      - depart OGG 10pm (to airport 8pm)

  6. sightseeing links
    • Oahu
    • Maui
    • put cursor over island name along the top of the page to get a pull down menu, then select activities, beaches, sites to see, etc

  7. travel details
    • 8/2 flight LAX-HNL (ATA 4755, LAX 915a, HNL 1150p)
    • 8/2 flight ONT-HNL (ATA 4651, ONT 1040a, HNL 130p)
    • 8/2 hotel Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki
      175 Paoakalani Ave, Honolulu HI 96815, 808-922-4671
      nightly rate $93, dlx rm 2 dble beds or 1 king, balcony, in rm safe, kitchenette
    • 8/6 flight HNL-OGG (ALOHA 266, HNL 710a, OGG 747a)
    • 8/6 hotel Maui Seaside
      100 W Kaahumanu Ave, Kahului HI 96732, 808-877-3311
      nightly rate $99, 2 twin beds
    • 8/7 flight OGG-HNL (ALOHA 229, OGG 905a, HNL 939p)
    • 8/7 hotel Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki
    • 8/9 flight HNL-LAX (ATA 4754, HNL 110p, LAX 935p)

  8. google calendar
    Note: this looks much better from a google account. If you have one, email your account name (gmail address) to get access to this calendar. If you don't have a google account, the "agenda" view gives better details on the schedule. See also tour summary.
history:
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