 What a beautiful morning! My very first look at Hawaii and Diamond Head. Five of us (privates and PFCs) decided to see how much of Oahu we could see for the day. In 1965 not many people had VISA cards. Well I did and we spotted this sharp convertible for rent in Waikiki. I had civilian clothes on under my uniform. I took off my uniform and one of the guys held it while I went into the rental place and rented this 1965 Cadillac convertible for the day -- $50.00. Without batting an eye, I told the woman that I was staying at the Waikiki Biltmore, room 222. Seemed like a lot of money then, but we referred to ourselves as the "Irresponsible Rich! We had one fabulous day!!!  Waikiki Biltmore 2424 Kalakaua Avenue Click here for some history of Honolulu's development. And, "things must change to remain the same", so, shortly after 8 AM on May 28, 1974, the Biltmore came down... Side note (10-7-2020) from my friend Salome, brother of Walter Young Bok Shin: The background where u rented the car in Waikiki is Maunalani hgts in Kaimuki. I used to live at the top on Matsonia Drive. The road zig zags 7 turns driving up OR u can drive straight up Welhemina Rise (named for Queen Welhemina of the Netherlands, after she visited the islands.) Just more history for u but not related to CNAC. And in addition: The car rental was on Kakakaua Ave in Waikiki in the background could be the small neighborhood of Kaimuki cuz it was built on a small rise..or the residential area just before the University of Hawaii n Manoa Valley. Snazzy white convertible caddy with flashy red leather seats. I was living in LOS ANGELES in 1965. Didn't move back home till 1970. Did u ever go back to revisit Honolulu? Salome now knows that I/we have been back to the Islands many times.  That's me behind the wheel. '65 Caddy -- what a car!  Ray Drogos and Tom Moore  back seat - Jim Conrad and John Edwards John Antonucci behind the wheel and Ray Drogos  Tom - Wonder where this spot is located? UPDATE: 9-17-2020: From my new friend Salome, brother of Walter Young Bok Shin. Tom is standing in front of the Blow Hole on the East side of Oahu, past Haunama Bay as u drive around the island heading towards the Windward side of the island. Too bad the Hole wasn't "blowing" surf up! Around the Island of Oahu If you know any of these location, please contact me, Tom Moore, at: pepperbud@pobox.com   More from Salome: Thanks for photo credit of Blow Hole. The following pics looks like: sleepy Kaneohe town nestled back against the Koolau mountain Range. #2 looks like the old Kaneohe or Kahuku stone bridge. My dad used to go crabbing there but I being so young don't know if that was in Waimanalo, Kaneohe or Kahuku. # 3 the pointed mountain must be Mt Olomana, driving in Kailua(I almost made it to the top.).   Next two pictures are cane fields    Pinapple harvest  Pinapple harvest by Jim Conrad  left to right - John Edwards, Ray Drogos, Tom Moore and Jim Conrad "Waikiki ???? in the background What and where is this?  Johm Antonucci, John Edwards, Tom Moore and Jim Conrad and our Caddy in front of the Iolani Palace  Iolani Palace and Kamahama I And a little side note: When we entered the Palace we saw no one around. Then this tall lady with a flower in her black hair dressed in a long white dress greated us. She had been to a private luncheon for folks that worked in the Palace. Cocktails had been served. We told her that we were in the Army and only in town for the day. She asked us if we had seen the throne room and we said no, then she took us in to the throne room. Gazing around I asked if I could sit on the throne. Unfortunately she said no and we were not allowed to take any photos. She did give us a nice tour, but having a photo or two would have been very special.  John Antonucci, Jim Conrad, Ray Drogos and John Edwards  Convention Center  Tom Moore - is this part of the convention center???  Unknown shopkeeper and John buying something  It's a bubble-butt  Tom in front of the ???  We ended the day at a local bar on Hotel Street. Tom Moore, Jim Conrad, John Edwards, Ray Drogos and John Antonucci  John Edwards, Unknown and Jim Conrad  one burned John Antonucci  Tom Moore is just as burned, but what a day! The next day, pulling out of Pear Harbor and passing the USS Arizona  April 26, 1965  Fire drill - John is burned - Unknown on the right  Antonucci's bunk with our pineapple  I am one fried haole  Our pineapple, courtesy of Jim Conrad center, left and around Jim Conrad, John Antonucci, Tom Moore, Ray Drogos and John Edwards  Unfortunately, it wasn't ripe!! If you are Jim Conrad or John Edwards, please contact me, Tom Moore pepperbud@dc.rr.com more pictures later... |