COMMANDER NEILAN
This is the Commanding Officer of my squadron, VP-65. Unfortunately, he had a bit of bad luck while attempting to save his son, who he thought was drowning. He ended up jumping onto a dock instead of into the water.
COMMANDER TROTTER
This was one of my favorite reserve officers. A heck of a nice guy, and he looked like a movie star!
WAITING TO LOAD UP
Here we are waiting to board one of the US Air Force's three Lockheed C-141 Starlifters for the trip over. Nothing fancy, but they got us there.
HUGH NEWKIRK
One of my running buddies from Wilmington, North Carolina. How I do miss his Southern drawl.
WHAT THE... ???
Oh, joy! In military cargo planes, you face aft in case of a crash. All I could see was this big pile of junk racing forward to squish us all!
ALOHA!!!
Well, after what I believe was seven hours over the Pacific Ocean, we arrived at NAS Barbers Point, where we'll be based for the next two weeks.
KING KAMEHAMEHA
Our official greeter to the Hawaiian Islands. Kamehameha the Great was the founder and first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
WAIKIKI BEACH
Nothing says Hawaii like a stroll along Waikiki Beach, with Diamondhead looming off in the distance.
OUTRIGGER CANOE
Just one of several canoes to take visitors out on the water.
ONE OF MANY HOTELS
I don't rememeber which one this is, but we took the glass elevator up to the top floor just for fun.
ALMOST FISH-EYE
No special lenses were used in the production of this shot. The hotel is built that way.
GOING UP
Here we go on our glass elevator ride. This is such a classic shot.
HELLO DOWN THERE!
Just look at all those tiny people down there on the beach.
HONOLULU, BABY!!!
Such an appealing city. Big, but with lots of room to breathe.
INTERNATIONAL MARKET PLACE
What visit to Honolulu would be complete without a trip into the International Market Place?
INSIDE
Lots of free-standing places to shop inside.
TRADER VIC'S
The world-famous Honolulu bar. When you order a Tropical Itch, you get to keep the backscratcher swizzle stick.
KALAKAUA AVENUE
This street is named for Kalakaua (David Laʻamea Kamananakapu Mahinulani Naloiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalakaua; November 16, 1836 – January 20, 1891). Sometimes called The Merrie Monarch, Kalakaua was the last king and penultimate monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii, reigning from February 12, 1874, until his death. We sailors just called it "The Strip."
BANYAN TREE
You can't tell it from this awful photo, but the banyan tree has several trunks growing up into the canopy.
AT THE BISHOP'S MUSEUM
Funny, but this is the only photo I have of the BIshop's Museum.
LANAI
If memory serves me right, that's what these shade structures are called. If I'm wrong, please correct me. This is where we dined on bologna sandwiches one day.
WAIMEA BAY
Some of the clearest waters I've ever seen! We went snorkeling there one day and it was like swimming in an aquarium. So many fishes....
OBLIQUE VIEW
Same bay, different view.
