Latest updates by scott's friends and favorites

Kilauea Volcano has been called a friendly volcano because of the manner of its eruptions, which are mild rather than explosive. Your biggest risk in a visit is probably air quality, which can be checked in advance on the park website. Kilauea is a shield volcano, which means that it has gentle-sloping sides, so it may not look the way you expect. This is in contrast to the more familiar cone volcano such as Mount St. Helens. I recommend that you begin your visit at the Kilauea Visitor Center to see the informative displays and a movie about volcanoes. Then you can continue your drive and actually see the caldera, which has a black asphalt look to it. You can do a quick drive through the park in a couple of hours, or follow some of the interesting hiking trails if you have the time. The park is open 24 hours a day, and you are more likely to see the glowing lava if you can stay after sunset. Volcano House, a hotel on the park grounds, has a restaurant with interesting views. The park entrance fee is $10 per vehicle.

At first, I was put off by the fact that they didn't have a full menu on Tuesday nights, but my friend and I tried it and were very happy. This isn't a mexican restaurant, it's just got a fun take on Tacos (and $2 ain't bad). I'd suggest "The Sea" fish taco - it was the best of the ones we tried. "El Puerco" was a runner up. Guacamole and chips were great but a ripoff (a small amount of Guac for !$4! + $2 for chips - which were great). The atmosphere was great, seemed the whole place was filled with gay men and lots of good Boston eye candy. I'd go back.

Sea Life Park is like a very small version of Sea World. The admission price is $29. When I was there, the place was filled with kids who seemed to be loving the experience. I thought the dolphin show and sea lion show were OK. For an extra charge, you can participate in a dolphin encounter. My favorite exhibit was the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, who can live as long as 80 years.

Punchbowl Cemetery is located in the crater of an extinct volcano rising above downtown Honolulu. The dramatic setting itself is worth the trip. There is also a vista point that offers breathtaking views of the greater Honolulu area. But more that this, Punchbowl is a history lesson. Since the cemetery was opened in 1949, about 34,000 veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War have been interred here. Walk through the memorial section that contains tributes and descriptions of various battles that were fought in the Pacific Theater. Or just stand on the marble steps that lead to the memorial and look around--it's a beautiful serene setting.

This beach is difficult to find, and it is not the most popular north shore Oahu beach for tourists. But it IS the home of the most famous surf in Hawaii--the Banzai Pipeline. This beach is a favorite of the local surfers and it's often packed with them. During the winter months, the big surf here is amazing. I've seen spectacular tubes in excess of 30 feet. This is for the experts only. One winter I saw a surfing competition here. Another winter I saw lifeguards train on this beach. (Would it be appropriate to say how hot that experience was? Dozens of muscular young guys in their orange Speedos! I was trying to think of a reason to have my life saved!) During the summer months, the surf is suitable for novices, and the beach is a nice place to soak up the sun.

I think this place deserves a little credit. The venue is gorgeous, open bar until 11pm (come on!), and packed with guys. On the other hand I can understand being upset at the experiences described in the other reviews. Not everyone I saw there was a pretty-boy, though the crowd definitely skewed towards the lookers. The people I met were all friendly--I'd go back in a heart beat were I not 3,000 miles away!

Dedicated to Polynesian culture and artifacts, the Bishop Museum is the largest museum in Hawaii. There are displays of Hawaiian quilts, as well as displays of Hawaiian artifacts, carvings and costumes. The Hawaiian Hall focuses on old Hawaiian gods and legends. Another section of the museum has exhibits relating to Hawaii's environment. If you're interested in Hawaiian artifacts and a glimpse into Polynesian cultural, this museum is worth a visit.

this is a really cool bar, well locared. fun!

Hanauma Bay has been established as a nature preserve to ensure the survival of its marine ecosystem. Snorkeling in the beautiful horseshoe-shaped bay is a memorable experience, with hundreds of species of colorful tropical fish right before your eyes. Just put your face down in the water and there they are! The park has limited amounts of parking, and I found that it was preferable to schedule my visit for 9 AM, or else in the afternoon. Note that the preserve is closed to visitors on Tuesdays. On my last visit, there was a $1.00 parking charge and a $7.50 admission fee. This is one of Oahu's most beautiful natural offerings, and well worth a visit.

The USS Bowfin Submarine is moored adjacent to USS Arizona Memorial visitor's center. For a modest admission fee, you can take a self-guided tour of the submarine and get a first-hand look at the crew's living conditions, including their tightly packed bunks. There is also an outdoor waterfront memorial that pays tribute to the 52 submarines and 3,500 young submariners who were lost in World War II.

This cool little zoo is located at the eastern end of Waikiki in Kapiolani Park. It's a five minute walk from Queen's Surf Beach and Hula's. I thought the most interesting section of the zoo was the African Savanna with its giraffes, zebras, rhinos and chimps. And of course my personal favorites, the elephants, were great too. In addition there is a kid's area with domestic animals such as cows, goats and sheep. This is the smallest zoo I've ever visited, and one that I very easily covered in less than two hours.

This memorial is the modern looking white structure that sits on top of the hull of the battleship USS Arizona that was sunk in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. That action, of course, led our nation into World War II. The visitor center has a museum section that contains interesting information and photographs. The most moving portion of a visit is viewing the memorial itself, which is accessible by a short ride on a U. S. Navy boat. You can get free tickets for the boat ride at a designated departure time in the visitor's center. Before you board the boat, you will see a short film depicting the attack and describing the events of that day. When you get to the memorial itself, you will see a shrine dedicated to the 1,177 innocent young sailors who lost their lives on the USS Arizona that day. A note on getting to the memorial: if you drive, be sure to take the exit from the H-1 Freeway designated as USS Arizona, and not the Pearl Harbor exit (which will take you to the Naval Station).

This distinctive Upper East Side building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and that fact in itself is a reason to visit. The look of the building is familiar to many of us... a stacked cylinder that is wider at the top than at the bottom. When I first visited The Guggenheim, my interest was in seeing this Frank Lloyd Wright design masterpiece, rather than the artwork inside. Since I am not a huge fan of contemporary art, I assumed that the paintings would be of secondary interest to me. I was wrong. There is an interesting variety of art displayed in The Guggenheim, and in an ingenious way. A large skylight provides natural light for the interior atrium of the building. Visitors wind their way up or down the the easy-to-walk spiral to enjoy Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and Modern paintings and sculptures. This is a very interesting manageable-sized museum.

The Inn Leather is now the "New and Improved Inn Leather" as they have done a lot of remodeling and updating. Great pool area and hot tub and lush green, tropical ambiance everywhere. Benji, Chase and Gabe have done a magnificent job in remodeling this Inn. Completely private and clothing optional. Hosts are so friendly and helpful. For all leather men or those who enjoy leather men, this is THE place to stay on the entire East coast.

This is what a gay bar is all about. GREAT owners! Great Staff (except for the ones that smoke while bartendering) GREAT customers who are super friendly! We ALWAYS have a great time at this bar. They have several bars, downstairs as well as upstairs. And good food! Whatever you are into, you can find it at this bar. Can't believe how FRIENDLY everybody was. Actually it is the friendliest bar that we have ever been to. They just need to have their bartenders STOP SMOKING WHILE THEY ARE WAITING ON CUSTOMERS!