Reason #12

Koko Crater Botanical Garden... This is a special spot in the island that my mom has grown to love and luckily on her trip we were able to see the garden before she left.  The neat thing about this location is that the 60 acre garden is located INSIDE the Koko Head crater, which is located on the East side of the Island. While it is very dry and arid, certain plants seem to thrive in the heat.  Oh and did I mention it is Freeee! It's one of those places that are right under your nose and you don't even realize it.  Most local Hawaii residents for example probably have never been through.  In fact on our walk we met a couple who have lived in the neighborhood for 30 years, literally within a mile and have NEVER come to the garden. And here my mom from California has come several times.  For this post I am just going to let the pictures do the talking and you can get a glimpse into the wonderful plumeria fields, bougainvillea groves, cactus clusters, and more.  Enjoy your tour...

Reason #11

Jack Johnson... I had the privilege of witnessing the island legend himself performing over 2 hours worth of songs last night, in a complete acoustic set (Shout out to my Cousin Heather for making this happen).  It was PERFECT!!!  Literally this man sings so effortlessly and the sound is more amazing than any studio recording.  Just Pure.  It is beautiful to see the very essence that is Hawaii come out in so many of his lyrics and sounds.  True meaning of the term Hawaiian grown or product of Hawaii.  While most people have an appreciation for Jack Johnson because of his slick picks and smooth voice, but in reality there is SO MUCH MORE behind this man.  Hawaii may have given Jack Johnson to US but it is Johnson that gives so much back to his home.  Through his non-profit, "Kokua Hawaii Foundation" Johnson reaches school age children and promotes environmental care, healthy eating, sustainable gardening, and much more through hands on learning in schools and in the community.  All proceeds from his concerts and shows go to this charity which you can learn more about kokuahawaiifoundation.org.  He and his wife Kim also started the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, to support environmental, art and music education around the world.  In a place like Hawaii where the land is so delicate and disappearing to pollution and commercialization, this type of reinforcement from a respected and well known celebrity makes such an incredible impact on the youth and island as a whole.  I've always been a fan of Jack Johnson but I feel like It is personal now that I live in this beautiful land and I support his cause, especially if it advocates for a PLASTIC FREE HAWAII!  Sign me up and I'll take a side of banana pancakes too :)

Reason #10

The Trees... Okay so usually when you think of Hawaii you think of palm trees right?  Well there's plenty around here to go around for all to enjoy.  That part of the stereotypical paradise picture is absolutely correct! But what most people don't usually expect to see are the incredible variety of other types of trees that cover the landscape.  While many of these are not necessarily native to the island, they have become fixtures of the land and resemble art pieces scattered throughout parks, beaches, streets, the rainforest.  Trees such as the Banyan tree are known for their incredible width and immense presence that simply make you stop and pay respect to the giants. With vines galore reaching from the branches down and re-establishing as new roots.  These trees are fascinating!

Then there are the chinese silk trees which look beautifully groomed all the time in the perfect shape of an umbrella, and it is completely natural! As if it was just meant to be that in a place that gets so many sporadic rains, people would have a place to run and hide along their walk.  Funny cuz this happened to me while I was on a run, and next thing I knew I was sharing my "natural umbrella" with about 6 other people, and for about 10 minutes this hideout becomes the water cooler. Everyone talkin story and asking about their days, before everyone getting back to their task at hand.  Thank you Silk tree for bringing us together.

I am going to highlight one more that is a regular in my routine, Plumeria.  Many people may not know how those beautiful flowers used in so many lei arrangements grow, so here is a look at the row of plumeria trees that line the street I live on, greeting me with the sweetest smell each time I go on a walk.  These perfume branches are the reason Hawaii smells the way it does, and throughout the island these wonderful trees bring communities  and neighborhoods a scent that can only make people smile.
While I could go on forever about the different types of trees that make Hawaii special, I think you get the idea that this land is an incredible growing plot and produces some of the most wonderful scenery imaginable, all from the ground up.

Reason #9

First of all let me say sorry for the delay in my post, but I figure I should share that the reason for the delay is reason #9: Everyone visits!!!  So this past week I have had the fortune of seeing 3 people from the mainland.   Familiar faces, and while only one of them was expected, the joy of seeing familiarity in my new home just makes me that much happier and allows me to share a piece of my new life with the old.  First, my friend Theresa says she is here visiting with her family and so I was lucky enough to snag her and her sister away for a bit, even if it was too short, so worth it and made my day! Then my friend Erica's brother, Chad texts me that he is in town for a conference.  Well, I did my duty and made sure he saw some views outside of Waikiki, and that was a blast and toured through a couple noted areas on the blog. 

 

Finally I am in the company of my Mom this week, which has been wonderful.  Nothing like a bit of home to make everything fall into place perfectly.  When I think about all this, I know that this is only the beginning of visitors throughout the year, both expected and unexpected.  Cuz let's be real, if a conference or wedding, or family vacation is in Hawaii, would you say No?? Didn't think so, therefor I feel I picked the best place to be, and I am ready for YOU.

Reason #8

Tantalus Road...  About 10 minutes from Waikiki will get you to the base of the Ko'olau mountain range, and if GPS doesn't take you astray you can find yourself on Tantalus Road (anyone visiting PLEASE put this on your list of places to go, you can drive up to the top and back down and the views alone will be worth it).  Through the heart of the rainforest this winding road manages to showcase Honolulu at its finest with some of the most breathtaking views and for a moment you forget that you were just in a city.  Lush and tropical and the beautiful sounds of birds and wildlife fill the air.  Off of the drive are numerous trailheads including one of my favorites, the Bamboo Forest.  Yesterday my friend Alessa and I had the fortune of a GORGEOUS day up at the mountain and conquered about 2.5 hours of hiking, simply enough to take my breath away as that place always does.  One of the coolest parts of the hike is that with the right amount of wind all the bamboo will begin swaying and knocking agains each other creating a fantastic wind chime effect.  But the best part of the day was on the drive down and what do we see on the side of the road... 2 piglets running along, each no bigger than a ferrel kitten!  For those who know me well can guess that it just about put me over the edge in the cute department haha.  It was amazing, and a first for me on the mountain, they were so precious! I just hope they make it safe and sound wherever they were going.  I'd say Tantalus Road made the day so special and I look forward to taking all my visitors up that winding abyss.

Reason #7

Diamond Head Community Garden... Just up Diamond Head Road there is a magnificent lookout area where locals, surfers, tourists and pretty much anyone else trying to escape the crowds of Waikiki go to watch endless hours of surfers battle the waves at "Cliffs."  Well in my years of visiting, this has been one of my favorite meditation and relaxation activities.  Sitting on the edge of the lava wall looking beyond an incredible garden of greenery (and when in bloom, multiple varieties of Hibiscus) and usually getting lost in the sea of blue ahead.  It wasn't until very recently I came to learn the story behind this garden of joy.  In 1999 three surfers started bringing jugs of water in their cars to wash their feet of all the mud and rock that would be stuck on them from the climb up the cliffside.  In a short period of time they realized that this water source brought the hillside to life, and little sprouts of grass started covering the ground.  They purposefully began bringing a lot more water specifically for the land and eventually each of the surfers also contributed plants.  Even papaya seeds that dropped from someone's breakfast have turned into trees lining the garden.   Today it has become a community activity, as surfers and locals can be found each morning weeding, pruning and maintaining this place of beauty for all to enjoy.  From one person who takes advantage of this garden of love, I say thank you surfing community for this wonderful gift.

Reason #6

Sunrise... I don't know what it is about being in Hawaii, but automatically your body adjusts to a new way of life.  Meaning at 6am when you should be fast asleep, not only do you wake up but it's as if its that once in a lifetime morning, and you have to get up so you don't miss any action.  Kinda like it's your birthday everyday!  Well that's my story and I know eventually once I begin working I will probably dread waking up at 6am again, for now I take so much joy in knowing that when I wake up I am able to witness the next greatest event to a sunset...a sunrise!  Something so peaceful about the morning and watching the sun creep up over the Ko'olau mountain range.  Today was one of those special occasions that I woke up just in time to see this magnificent view from my lanai (balcony).  I don't know if it is possible to have a bad day when this is the first sight you see.  Once again I am fortunate to know that each morning I have something so special waiting for me. From my lanai to yours hope this brightens your day...