>>>But - did Japan actually technically 'invade' the USA?
>
>No, they just dropped a few bombs that happened to hit some aircraft and warships loitering at Pearl Harbor. ;-)
>
>Seriously, that's a fine state you call home. Could *not* believe how Honolulu has redefined itself as a cosmopolitan first world city attracting planeloads of wealthy Asian tourists who spend and spend. Meanwhile you can escape the Australian sand on Waikiki with a short drive to the North Shore that is as glorious as ever. You are so lucky..

Quite true. Most of the native Hawaiians are not exactly happy with the 'cosmopolitan" thing that's happened though. The only cheap place around Waikiki to buy anything was the open air International Market Place on Kalakaua Ave - and that was torn down a couple of years ago and is now replaced with a Saks Fifth Avenue and some other 5 star high dollar stuff. At least they saved the banyan tree and created some more much needed parking (although that's not free of course). You're right it doesn't take long to get up to the North Shore - as long as the 'Eddie' big wave surf contest isn't running (in which case you might not even be able to get there at all hahaha) - but the contest only happens about every 4 or so years because the waves have to be just right for it. I've been lucky and got to see two of them. You can't describe what it is like to see guys (and a few girls) surfing a 35+ foot wave - something you have to see in person. Winter months on the North Shore brings plenty of 20+ foot wave days - probably one of the best, if not THE best, surf spots in the would.