I have been talking about creating a blog that will focus on some hot spots here in Oahu for a while now. Rest assured that it has finally been executed!
I have lived as a permanent resident here for over 10 years and somehow never made the time to explore this wonderful island. That all changed with a hike up the Makiki trail with a few family members and an awesome friend and hiking guide. I then thought to myself, wow... I can't believe I deliberately almost missed out on this opportunity.
I was born here in Honolulu but raised in American Samoa, my perspective was that I lived on an island most my life, why would I want to get out in nature? I came here to get away from that! Well, I was dead wrong about that concept that's for sure. Hiking with the gang changed my view and it brought me back to basics. It felt like someone kicked me in the gut, the terrible feeling of homesickness.
And that brings us here. I have made an agreement to get out, explore, and share the spots with you! I know some resources are hard to follow when looking up activities to do on this island via internet and books are just too pricy and outdated. My goal is to thoroughly make an easy to follow review and description of the spots for you in hopes that you won't get lost or frustrated in the process.
If you haven't noticed yet, Hawaii is the only state that has native names for street names. Can you imagine someone trying to pronounce Kalanianaole Highway to Kamehameha Highway while you're driving on the Pali Highway trying to look for Puohala Street? Yeah, if you are not local, you would get lost I can assure you that! Thank goodness for google maps. No shame in that, I get lost almost all the time, you can ask my co-workers and business partners about that, they'll tell you the story of how I tried to drive out to Waipahu from Aiea but ended up going through Ka Uka Blvd. missing the Waipahu exit again and heading right back into Pearl City... or even driving through Mililani to drop off a friend at 3am and ending up in the Kunia Pineapple fields in the pitch dark. How does that happen? I wish I had an answer. Don't worry if you don't understand what I'm talking about, my local friends will definitely vouch for me being a complete disaster when it comes to directions.
None the less, don't be surprised if I start spilling out land marks. It's an insanely common way that we Pacific Islanders tell directions. Hey, our ancestors traveled by stars in the night and could name all the currents in the ocean even before they got into their canoes. Samoans for one, were the most fiercest and well known sea farers you will ever know, aside from the Vikings... But my point is, it's in the blood, I can manage telling you some noticeable landmarks that you won't be able to miss the spot. I hope. Quick pointer: If someone starts telling you go right after three traffic lights till you see the Mc Donald's you should not take their direction because it is likely they don't know where the hell it is that you want to go. There is like a Mc Donald at every block or corner. Good luck with that if anything!
To make a long story short: I try, I see, I do, you read, you like?, you comment (optional) you try, you see, you do, and you can share your experiences! Ok, so let me know if you got any ideas, suggestion, or maybe even questions. I will get back to you in a timely matter. Now remember, I don't have all the answers, but I can most definitely refer you to someone who does if I can't answer it. So with this, be blessed!
Aloha!
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