My journey begins after an eleven hour direct flight to Honolulu from JFK. I flew with Hawaiian Airlines and was so surprised by the comfortable, easy experience. And then I had 20 hours to spend in Hawaii.
First thing first, I checked into my hotel the Courtyard Waikiki Beach hotel. I booked through HotelTonight and the location was central and relatively inexpensive.
It was a short walk to Waikiki Beach and all the action. That day and evening there was a street party/festival full of live music, dancing, shopping, etc. My first meal in Hawaii was a kimchi rice and passion fruit juice.
There were fantastic traditional hula dancers. And although, I tried to avoid buying anything I could not resist buying some cookies from the Honolulu Cookie Company, which I had tried on the flight over.
I ended the evening with a quick dip in the pool and hot tub and then went to bed. I was eager to wake up in the morning to get a quick swim in the ocean and breakfast (mocha pancakes) before heading off to the airport. Eleven more hours here I come.
Hawaiian Airlines Comfort Pack 
Hawaiian Airlines Meal 
Waikiki Beach 
Kimchi Rice & Passion Fruit Juice 
Hula Dancers 
Pool at the Hotel 
Mocha Pancakes 
Waikiki Beach
