Boating: Life in Oahu – Magical Days with Wild Locals

My best experience with Oahu’s Spinner Dolphins was just my Christmas Eve Snorkel with Spinner Dolphins in the warm waters of Hawaii. But no complaining here. I always feel blessed to see them wild and free in the ocean. Enjoy the video. Read More

Explore Hawaii: Hiking – Found and Climbed a Hunter’s Tree Stand

Out hiking in West Oahu and found what I imagine as the dreamy tree house I never had as a kid. But I know hunters come to this area to hunt game birds, goats and wild boar so this must be their tree stand. I just had to climb and inspect it further. Wouldn’t you?! First time doing this. Here we go. Read More

Bladders vs Bottles for Staying Hydrated on the Hiking Trail

With 24 hikes under my belt this year, it was only on my most recent 24th hike that I had a Camelbak instead of a backpack full of water bottles. As you’re on the trail with other experienced hikers you notice how hydrated they stay and they don’t seem to be stopping to fiddle with their backpack to grab those water bottles. Read More

The Ugly Side of Travel – Change Fees by Greedy Hawaiian Airlines

Been traveling with Hawaiian over 8 years since I’ve moved to the islands. But now I will switch to Alaska Airlines for my flights to/from the mainland. Here’s why: Read More

Explore Hawaii: Hiking – Kawa’ewa’e

First Time: Another great hike with Hawaii Trail and Mountain Club. Starts at the Friendship Gardens in Kaneohe. The hike offers great views of Kane’ohe and the bay, Coconut Island (aka Gilligan’s Island), Pali Notches, Stairway to Heaven, and the Mokes. Fortunately, this day’s hike offered great weather of partly cloudy skies with refreshing breezes on the ridge.

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Explore Hawaii: Hiking – A different way up Koko Head

We’ve accomplished hiking the Koko Head Railway Trail several times before, in the past years. It’s a short but steep incline type of hike with an appropriate nickname “The Ultimate Stairmaster.” A bit challenging for creaky knees with over 1,000+ steps to the top which offers scenic view for its victors. This day, we took the more mountainous climb up to a natural arch on the crater’s rim. A fun, gusty birthday hike! Read More

40th Annual – Buffalo’s Big Board Surfing Classic (Makaha, HI)

The events include 9 different types of surfing: four surfboard (10 ft and over) divisions, paipo, alai’a, bodyboard, bullyboard, canoe, SUPsquatch, tandem surfing, and team SUP surfing. It’s an annual event not to miss because it promotes the stoke that surfing gives all of us. It doesn’t feel like any other competition of constant cutbacks for points. Read More

Explore Hawaii: Hiking – Waianae Valley, Oahu

My 3rd hike with the Hawaiian Trail & Mountain Club. We met at 8:30am and ended around 1:00pm (4.5 hrs). Today’s hike we crossed several flowing streams – Kalalulu, Kukaki to the Kanewai Streams. Most of the hike was canopied by the shade of the valley’s Ironwood and Lemon Eucalyptus trees and trekking through coffee plants, ferns… mostly non native species of plant life… probably a botanist’s dream hike. The location has several shared trails from other known hikes: Wai’anae Waterworks, Wai’anae Rumble, and Wai’anae Kai to name a few. Read More