Oahu, Hawaii - Scenic Sunday, August 8, 2010
Hawaii, from San Francisco, is only a short five hour flight, close enough for a weekend
visit when air fares permit. I fell in love with these islands when I was only sixteen-years-
old and joined the Army judo club in my home town of Columbus, Georgia. Many of
the other members were in the Hawaii National Guard or were Army personnel from
Hawaii stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia. One of these men, Warren Fukushima, has
been my friend since that time, almost fifty years.
I first visited Hawaii when I was eighteen and I have been back about ten times over
the years. I love the diversity that is Hawaii, the blend of cultures, the music, the food,
the dances, the traditions. For over twenty years now, when I visit, my friend, Warren
has been there, too. I cannot imagine Hawaii without him. He is the spirit of aloha.
Sunrise over Diamondhead
The Byodo-In Buddhist Temple
From the temple website: "The Byodo-In Temple is located at the foot of the Ko'olau Mountains in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. It was established on June 7, 1968, to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The temple is built entirely without nails. It is a scale replica of a temple in Uji, Japan, that was constructed over 950 years ago.
The Byodo-In Temple is a non-denominational Buddhist temple which welcomes people of all faiths to worship, meditate or simply appreciate its beauty. The temple grounds are often used for wedding ceremonies for Hawaiians or visitors from Japan.
The Temple grounds are a lushly landscaped paradise nestled in a cleft of the pali and are home to wild peacocks and hundreds of Japanese koi carp. The beautiful grounds include a large reflecting pond, meditation niches, and small waterfalls. Visitors describe this destination as beautiful, peaceful, and restful."
This is really such a beautiful place, away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. I never visit Oahu without stopping here.
