Here are a handful of things I learned about Hawai’i while working closely with some of the locals: It’s not spelled, Hawaii, it’s spelled Hawai’i: there’s an Okina in between the two “i’s” which is important for proper pronunciation as well. Without the okina, which is the apostrophe’s flipped cousin, it’s a misspelled word.
Every meal in Waikiki is $16 or more dollars not including drinks. Even iHop. There was one exception, there is a Udon noodle restaurant called Marukame Udon which has very reasonably priced meals, but a line that sometimes wraps around the block.. At the end of the day, around 9:45pm, you might be able to catch a break in the line and grab a $10 udon experience that you’ll definitely write home about.
In Oahu, the fanciest hotels are the Ritz Carlton, Turtle Bay Resort, The Four Seasons, and….Aulani: a Disney Resort. No one expected Disney to be on that list, but surprisingly, it’s very nice. The Aulani and the Four Seasons are also right next door to each other and share the same manmade lagoon. The Disney resort is surprisingly not awash with too many dressed up cartoon characters. The experience is unexpectedly comfortable, high end, and the decor is authentic. Don’t forget the incredible manmade volcano surrounded by an exceptionally long (and fun) lazy river. Just a stones throw away, The Four Seasons defines luxury and service, and is the place most celebrities stay while vacationing or for work. The proximity is peculiar at first glance, but actually works out just fine.
In Hawai’i, Canoes, and pictures of Canoes, are everywhere. What I learned, is that a Canoe is much more than a boat, it’s a life vessel that housed families of sometimes 30+ travelers voyaging thousands of miles across the high seas. Stored inside the canoes were all the food and materials that the travelers would need for their journey, but also enough rations and supplies to start a new life once they made it to their destination.
“Island time” is real….and really contagious! The rumor is that people on Hawai`i aren’t as punctual as people on the mainland. While I have to say that everyone I worked with was timely, I found myself drifting into my own sense of “island time.” Once you find yourself surrounded by consistently impeccable weather, warm sun, perfect beaches and the mountains from Jurassic Park, many priorities on the mainland become secondary in Hawai`i. And being a minimum of three hours time zone difference from LA, and six hours from New York, if you don’t get your call to the east coast in by 2pm, it will have to wait until another day. With the myriad of distractions available, many times waiting until the next day is exactly what happens.
Each island is it’s own world, and has unique aspects that differentiate it from the others. Do your research to find out which experience you’d like, whether it be shopping, or camping, surfing or zip lining, isolated, or in the center of the city, there are many different types of experiences to be enjoyed depending on which island you visit.
The Big Island of Hawai`i is many times the size of the rest of the islands, is very rural, and the only island with an active volcano.
WEAR SUNSCREEN. Everywhere, and everyday. After going to the beach and spending only 45 minutes without sunscreen, I learned the hard way. My unprotected jaunt caused four days of “the devil’s itch,” which is a nice term for the hellish burning itching that accompanies a major sunburn.
Each side of the island has its own ecology. There is a dry side, a wet side, and wherever you go, there is a good chance you’ll see rainbows.
It can be perfectly sunny, and a small cloud can appear instantly and start to rain on you. The good news–it’s usually warm rain, and in short bursts the locals call these impromptu mini-showers “blessings.”
One of the biggest and best Slam Poetry regular events in the country is held in Hawai`i hosted by Kealoha, the 1st Poet Laureate of Hawai`i at Hawaiian Brian’s in Oahu on the first Thursday of every month. Kealoha is also the writer and star of “The Story of Everything,” a very special epic poem meets Broadway format musical that combines music, dance, theatre, slam poetry and science, which was shot as a film that’s being released in 2020.
A warning….You may not want to leave. Many of the locals that I met on my trip had ventured to Hawai`i for work or vacation, but ended up never leaving. So if you go, be prepared…you might never want return to the mainland!
There are many different cultures that share the island as a destination for vacation, spiritual retreat and easy living. This creates a wonderful smorgasbord of dining options of cuisines from around the world. One word can describe this phenomenon: YUM.
As long as it’s safe, make sure to go in the water. In many places, the water is almost lukewarm, clear, and a large number of beaches are very shallow for a long ways out, making it a perfect place to surf, bodysurf, snorkel and swim. If the waves are big, and you’re not a world champion surfer, stay out of the water. Also, there is a cliff diving spot called the Spitting Cave that looks fun, but is deadly. Go for the view, but stay out of the water here.
99% of the people you meet in Hawai`i especially the locals, are very friendly, open and warm. It’s important to remember that since it’s a heavy tourist destination, there are a few bad people out there who prey on the naiveté of the travelers. Just because you’re on vacation, doesn’t mean you can let your guard down. The risk of theft is real, as is pickpocketing. Make sure to keep an eye on your possessions, keep your hotel rooms secure, and lock valuable possessions in the safe.
Go hiking. There are many amazing hikes. Ask locals for the best ones, and don’t be surprised if you end up at a waterfall and/or looking at the most majestic view you’ve ever seen in your entire life.
Art is alive in Oahu. The island is hosting its once-every-two-year art festival called “The Honolulu Biennial” featuring local and international artists and exhibits showcased at museums and installations across Honolulu. Check out “The Hub” at Ward Village, where you can see installations, paintings, sculptures, and a wide variety of indigenous and modern art on full display. Buy the pass and then travel to over 15 locations around the city to see featured works from phenomenal artists like Solomon Enos and Chiharu Shiota. Also make sure to check out “Emissaries” at the Honolulu Museum. It combines history, art, filming and technology in a very interesting installation format.. Also the Bishop museum is a great place to bring kids who are into science, the history of the island and anyone interested in how the volcano and hot spots volcanic island systems work.
