{"id":94836,"date":"2026-03-26T12:38:06","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T19:38:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lilesnet.com\/dailydiary\/?p=94836"},"modified":"2026-03-28T06:24:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T13:24:09","slug":"94836","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lilesnet.com\/dailydiary\/?p=94836","title":{"rendered":"Day Six\/Thursday: Exploring The Hotel And Going A To A Luau!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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We could not go to the Elks this morning, so we settled for the hotel’s offerings.\u00a0 Adjacent to the MaiTai Bar was a restaurant unknown to us.<\/p>\n

We had an enjoyable breakfast and a fantastic waiter who asked the chef to remove the ham and bacon from the everything omelet and put them on the side.\u00a0 Mary and I shared that omelet.\u00a0 We also shared a pink pancake stack, washing it all down with a Bloody Mary.<\/p>\n

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Average meal, healthy, a bit expensive, amazing waiter.<\/p><\/div>\n

We returned to our room and awaited Megan to join us.\u00a0 From there, the three of us went to the lobby and waited for the Hotel Tour, which was led by a very knowledgeable lady who has worked as a guide for 55 years (and she surfs every morning)!<\/p>\n

Our first stop was the ever-changing sandcastle.\u00a0 Every year, a couple comes from Florida and creates a new sand display at the hotel.\u00a0 The sand has to be brought in because removing sand from Waikiki is illegal.\u00a0 In fact, the sand at Waikiki has its own story!<\/p>\n

Waikiki Beach’s sand is largely artificial and imported, created through decades of replenishment due to chronic erosion.\u00a0 Historically, sand was imported by barge from Manhattan Beach, California, in the 1920s-30s, but modern sand primarily comes from offshore sources, other Hawaiian locations, or crushed marine organisms such as coral.<\/p>\n

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Off on a tour of the facility!<\/p><\/div>\n

We got a lesson on 1920s and 1930s culture from our guide.\u00a0 Apparently, folks would visit and promenade up and down the mail hall dressed in their finest.\u00a0 Around 8:00 pm, they would go to the dining room (below) and be entertained by an orchestra until around 11:00 pm.<\/p>\n

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The dining room is a historical monument and cannot be changed!<\/p><\/div>\n

After dinner, they would promenade to the Great Hall, where they would dance until sunup to the music of popular orchestras.<\/p>\n

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Opening evening 1927.<\/p><\/div>\n

During the tour, we were shown the “Ladies’ Lounge,” which was popular in the 1930s.<\/p>\n

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It was an amazing facility.<\/p><\/div>\n

We strutted outside to investigate the infamous “Pink Paint Job” and, oh yes, we got the full story.<\/p>\n

Let’s say: it involves bold decisions, questionable color charts, and possibly someone who shouldn’t be trusted alone at Home Depot.<\/p>\n

Curious?\u00a0 Go ahead and ask\u2014I dare you.\u00a0 It’s a legendary tale of how one building went from normal\u2026 to Flamingo Chic.<\/p>\n

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The Pink Lady!<\/p><\/div>\n

Guess who?\u00a0 She was America’s sweetheart in the 1930s, and she came to Hawaii several times.<\/p>\n

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Shirley Temple visited Hawaii multiple times, most notably in July 1935 when she was greeted by 10,000 to 15,000 fans upon arrival.\u00a0 During her trips, she stayed at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, performed at Iolani Palace, and even met her second husband, Charles Black, in Hawaii in 1950.1935 Visit: At seven years old, Temple took a working vacation to Hawaii, where she was escorted by Duke Kahanamoku and visited the Shriners’ Hospital.\u00a0 She performed “On the Good Ship Lollipop” and was named an honorary Colonel in the Hawaii National Guard.<\/p>\n

1950 Visit: She returned to Oahu and met her future husband, Charles Black.
\nConnection: She loved the islands, often staying at the “Pink Palace” (Royal Hawaiian Hotel), and is famously associated with creating the Shirley Temple at Waikiki Beach.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Hi Shirley!<\/p><\/div>\n

On the opening evening in 1927, people gathered before going into the main ballroom for dancing after 11:00 pm.\u00a0 \u00a0They danced until 4:00 am!<\/p>\n

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Celebration time!!!<\/p><\/div>\n

The tour was over, so we headed to our room to freshen up before going to the Elks and then the Luau.<\/p>\n

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Just us!<\/p><\/div>\n

OK, now it’s time for a visit to the elks for a pre-Luau bite to eat!<\/p>\n

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Mary gets her first lesson in using Aber, thanks to her granddaughter Megan!<\/p><\/div>\n

We had a quick meal at the Elks before the Luau.<\/p>\n

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Slurp, burp, belch!<\/p><\/div>\n

Back we go to the Royal Hawaiian for the Luau.\u00a0 We went to our room to freshen up and then downstairs to the Luau area.\u00a0 The tables were already set up for this evening’s entertainment.<\/p>\n

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Open air, 75 degrees, slight breeze, and wonderful floral aromas.<\/p><\/div>\n

Dinner was served, and it was quite good!<\/p>\n

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Amazing Hawaiian food.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Hula Girls began the show.\u00a0 I tried to join them, but Mama Mary told me no!<\/p>\n

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Love those grass shirts!<\/p><\/div>\n

The ladies gave us an amazing presentation.<\/p>\n

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Aloha Ou!<\/p><\/div>\n

Then came the fire dancer!\u00a0 Flames were everywhere.\u00a0 The staff raised a fireproof netting behind the stage just in case.<\/p>\n