50th Wedding Anniversary Remembrances of Hawaii, America's 50th State

1. Steep, rugged, green mountains

2. Beautiful cattle and horses grazing on lush, green hillsides

3. Gentle, cool breezes 24/7 with smog-free air
4. Temps rarely lower than 60 or higher than 80
5. Kind, friendly, helpful people
6. Shave ice with ice cream cores and real fruit
7. Delectable seafood dinners
8. Clear, blue water with gigantic, breaking waves
9. Beautiful flowers and blooming trees

10. A unique rain forest with many water falls
11. Gigantic Honolulu towers, where suites sell for a million dollars
12. Best tasting water in the world with no fluoride
13. The hula, its history, and its purpose
14. Rich Polynesian culture and history
15. Stories and accomplishments of the monarchy
16. The unique, open-style capitol building
17. Myths, legends, and superstitions
18. Snorkeling, whale watching and seeing huge green sea turtles
19. Lava fields and volcano craters
20. Amazing athletic surfers
21. Oahu’s modern, efficient bus system
22. Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona “tomb”
23. Skimpy bikinis on beautiful bodies
24. Black sand and fabulous, open, free beaches
25. Cascading evening lights on the hills of Honolulu
26. Terrific, upscale military hotels—especially the Hale Koa on Waikiki
27. Our harbor view room in the historic Pioneer Inn on Maui
28. Rainbows but no thunder or lightning
29. Hilo Farmers Market and abundant fresh fruit
30. The Macadamia Nut Farm, Kona Coffee, and Dole Plantation
31. Scenic inter-island flights
32. Homeless people tent camping on beaches
33. One lone Airstream travel trailer on an Oahu hillside
34. Few 18-wheelers and practically no RVs
35. Many convertibles
36. Hawaiian alphabet with only 12 letters (7 consanents-5 vowels)
37. Towering palm trees bending in the wind
38. An evangelical church service on Waikiki Beach
39. Scores fabulous golf courses
40. Amazing crafts, especially those made of wood
41. Stylish, colorful, flowered shirts and muumuus
42. Open restaurants with few flies or other insects
43. Amazing National Parks unlike those on the Mainland
44. Narrow mountain roads, hairpin turns, and one-lane bridges
45. Exotic birds, including the Nene state bird
46. Transporting the family flats (cutouts of our children and grandchildren) to four different islands
47. Experiencing the strategic importance of the world's most isolated island chain
48. Seizing the opportunity to take hundreds of unique digital photos
49. The intense feeling of gratitude we felt for our WW II military troops and “the greatest generation” after visiting Pearl Harbor
50. Thanking the good Lord for the majesty of His Creation and for our five wonderful children/spouses who bankrolled much of this trip