The second stay in Waikiki

Dark and raining – took a 7pm shuttle to catch a 9:30 flight to Molokai. Well, it was canceled due to the low visibility in Molokai. If it were an all-computerized bigger jet, there wouldn't have had any issue but a 9 pax cesna. I wouldn't take any risk either. The carrier, Go! Airline wasn't certainly a go this time but they put me in a larger craft operated by a 24 pax Island Air. Hawaiian spirit – the folks in Island Air didn't care if I had a proper document or not. “We can talk to Go! folks later so hop in” Ok.... waited on runway for half hour. Surely, it was canceled due to the closure of the airport in Molokai.After exchanging my ticket to one departing in the following date, now, I needed to look for a hotel in Waikiki for one more night. Unlike many airports, there are only 2 airport hotels. Both are pieces of crap. No way I am going to spend $100 for one of those hotels located literally in the middle of nowhere. Here I was – a bargain hunter. What I looked for was a place I can access internet so I could try to find a cheap room through priceline.com. There was no spot for that at the terminal for the commuter plane terminal. Walked to the main terminal in rain for 5 mins. Still no spot. But I found the information counter who could assist me for this purpose. Even this nice lady couldn't help – in Japanese accent “This airport is so cheap – there is no free internet access” I got a kick of it. Until we both figured out that we were Japanese, we joked around in English. “Do you know if there is any good hotel close to Waikiki at reasonable rate over the weekend?” It doesn't seem that what day of the week affect the occupancy in this remote island but it does. There are lots of locals flying from other islands for weekend getaways or more importantly SHOPPING. Rates could go up 10 – 20% at hotels especially located close to the shopping centers. Anyway, “so what price range?” “Less than $100 but I don't want to stay at a crappy hotel.” “Crap?” She started giggling. She made a several calls and asked my name to make a reservation. “Oh are you Japanese?” Ammm.... Nothing sounds funnier than conversation in English between Japanese (or French, German etc...) I thanked her and moved on to the next terminal..... so I could cancel the booking she made for me. She found a good deal at Ala Moana Hotel but $166 was a bit hefty. I felt so bad but I found a room at $95 at a 3 star hotel close enough to the middle of action in Waikiki. Back to the trusty food court at the mall...