As we gear up to move in a couple of weeks, we are taking time to
explore some of the sights that we haven't yet had the chance to. We
have a list that we are slowly checking off, and we are even
accidentally discovering other fun places that we didn't mean to go.
Saturday we visited the Punchbowl Cemetery (
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific) and then the Honolulu Museum of Art.
I wasn't expecting to have the emotional response to the memorial that I did. I'm not a history buff, nor do I have any strong military ties, but I have to admit, I found myself standing in front of the dedication stone at the foot of the memorial, surrounded by the Courts of the Missing, and I was moved to tears.
- IN THESE GARDENS ARE RECORDED
- THE NAMES OF AMERICANS
- WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
- IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY
- AND WHOSE EARTHLY RESTING PLACE
- IS KNOWN ONLY TO GOD
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| rest in peace |
- After the cemetery we intended to go to the Hawaii State Art Museum, but due to a typing incident ended up at the Honolulu Museum of Art instead (you have to look more carefully after you type in "art museum honolulu"). So we went in anyway, and I'm so glad we did. I loved wandering through the exhibits from Asia, especially those from China, Indonesia and India. Here were some of the highlights for me:
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| Nandi's (Shiva's mount or vehicle) Head--Kerala (late 18th Century) |
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| Jain Temple Niche--Western India (ca. 12th Century) |
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| The detail work on the marble is stunning |
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| Handle of a ceremonial kris (dagger)--Bali (18th Century) |
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| Oh, the masks! I was so excited when I walked in and saw these! Collection from Bali, Java and Madura (18th-20th Century). It feels good to walk into a museum and know more about some of the items than is on the signage. Thanks, UHM. |
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| Chariot Panel--South Kerala (late 17th Century) |
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| Depicts scenes from the Ramayana |
- There was also a video installation titled "The Empty City" by a Chinese artist named Chen Qiulin, which really captivated me. Part of the blurb on th museum's website reads:
- "Chen grew up in the small city of Wanzhou, which was submerged under the
Yangtze River by the controversial Three Gorges Dam project in 2003.
Wanzhou’s entire population was relocated, and the remaining parts of
the region that are still above water have been absorbed into the
Municipality of Chongqing. In Chen’s most recent video series, The Empty City, she returns to the remnants of Wanzhou, while at the same time coming to terms with her new life in Chongqing."
You can read more from the artist on the museum's blog.
We followed up our museum visit with a late lunch at the Rainbow Drive in because Joe had never been there (!!!) even though we live just down the street from it.
After lunch we decided to keep exploring since we were on a roll. We drove around the Diamond Head neighborhood, and then Joe took me to the one place I've wanted to go since we moved here: Fisher Office Supply. Heaven.We waited until 30 minutes to closing so that I couldn't bankrupt us.
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| But look how happy I am! They had Sharpies in 4 different shades of purple, for individual sale. I may have to go back, just so I can make the other stage managers jealous ;) |
And if we hadn't seen enough art already, no worries:
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| We stumbled upon this amazing painting on the side of a building |
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| And this. I'm just realizing how much amazing street art there is in Honolulu |
Then we came home and packed 7 boxes for our move. I declare Saturday a success!
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