Honolulu, HI

It was a Friday when I stepped off the plane in Honolulu, back from four months in the Vegas desert. I am a student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and nothing was better than being at home for the summer.

We decided to go out on the blue-and-white painted one which reads, “Outrigger Catamaran” on its side. In case you were wondering, a catamaran is the type of sailboat that has pontoons with canvas stretched over them. The one we went on has an actual hard deck, too, and is a pretty large boat that can carry thirty passengers or so.

There are many quaint town roads to drive along while you look for the perfect farm. The place definitely has a rustic feel to it, although in the town’s commercial center, you will find a couple of fast food places and a 7-11 convenience store. Overall, however, Waimanalo definitely evokes a sense of old Hawaii, with the smell of fertilizer in the air and the sound of roosters crowing. You will see horses and some cows. Slow down and enjoy yourself!

Sure the Ka ‘Iwa scenic shoreline hike, with its peak views of winding Koolaus mountains, Rabbit Island, Sea Life Park, and the Makapu Peninsula (not to mention the ocean so vast you can almost see a bend in the earth’s horizon), stretches the definition of sweetness during the day, but what about taking this same hike at night? Yeah, that’s right, as in when it’s totally dark outside.

Also, you should not venture beyond the reef as there is large surf there. Unless, of course, you are an experienced surfer or boogie boarder and that’s what you’re looking for.
If the sun gets to be too much for you, walk up the beach to the park, where there are many trees affording shade. There is also an Army museum up here, with some old tanks and heavy guns on display out front. Another way to cool down is to have a snack and a beer at the concession stand on the beach.

Green sea turtles (also called Honu in Hawaiian) use Laniakea beach as a haul-out zone, meaning that they pull themselves up onto the sand to rest and sun themselves. Also, they are attracted to the shallow water off the beach where they feed on seaweed (limu in Hawaiian). So there are two ways to see the turtles here: when they come up on the beach, and—for you snorkelers—you can get in the water with them and see them in their true habitat!

It is great fun to ride a wave from the reef all the way inside past the end of the wall, wave at the crowd of people standing there and taking pictures, and then fly through the inside break all the way in to the beach! Then you can walk back out on the wall, jump off, and do it all again.

Strolling across the campus you will see some interesting old Pacific style architecture, for example, Hawaii Hall and the School of Architecture. There is even a Japanese temple-style building near the East-West Center. You will also notice how lush the campus is—plant life is everywhere, from expansive green lawns to blooming tropical flowers to towering palm trees. Many of the various trees have small signs on them bearing their botanical information.

Another fantastic south shore wreck dive is that of the Sea Tiger. This is another deep dive with penetration possibilities (i.e., you can go inside the sunken ship). We have seen lots of exciting marine life in, on, and around these wrecks, including sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, and whitetip reef sharks. The wrecks themselves are encrusted with corals, making them look like living sculpture gardens. The visibility is usually good—upwards of 75 feet.