Allicia’s place should be called “Skybox” or “Ayrie.” This condo on the 16th floor of a downtown high rise gives one an eagle’s view of the city. We were looking for a Honolulu visit that would show us the real Honolulu, not Waikiki. We did not have a car and did not need one. Many bus lines stop just outside this place. The state capitol, Iolani Palace, parks, museums, historical buildings, many restaurants, and Chinatown are all within easy walking distance. There is a high level of homeless people in this neighborhood, a reality in most every large city in America. Our initial instinct was not a comfortable feeling. However, we quickly came to see them more as real people trying to survive with few options. In the end, this was more of an eye-opener than a negative for us.
Allicia responded quickly to our questions when we had any. The condo has a good washer and dryer in the unit, which was a big plus. The A/C was very effective in cooling the unit, and it would stay comfortably cool for many hours after running it while we went out for dinner and then turning it off when we came back. Generally, the unit was very quiet. Incidental noise was very low and not a problem. We enjoyed our stay.