Honolulu, HI

My wife and I live in Waikiki, and one of our favorite beaches is Sans Souci, which translates to “without a care” in French. This beach is next to Diamond Head fronting the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel. The beach is protected by a coral reef out front, which makes for gentle waters suitable for family swimming, although there is a lifeguard tower here. There are showers as well as a nice restaurant (The Hau Tree Lanai) right on the beach in the hotel. The beach is also a bit wider here than on the main Waikiki beaches.

Last weekend I hunted for treasure at Waikiki Beach. I wasn’t even the only person doing it. My only tools: a waterproof metal detector and a sand scoop. By now the image of an old guy wearing headphones walking Waikiki Beach sweeping a metal detector over the sand as he goes is a familiar sight. After watching people do this over the years, I decided to try it for myself—with a slight twist—I wanted a fully submersible detector so I could go snorkeling, or even scuba diving with it—and I must say it has been a fun hobby.

The sun started creeping lower and lower into the Honolulu skyline. There were throngs of people crowded in front of the galleries, walking to each one in a row. I was excited to experience First Friday at downtown Honolulu’s Gallery walk for the first time since moving back to my home from Las Vegas. Even before getting out of the parking garage, I could hear the sound of the crowds and live music coming from above. I knew I was in for a great evening.

My sister and I were looking for a way to spend our afternoon, so we decided to check out Mililani Town Center. The Town Center is located in the heart of Mililani and is conveniently located across from Wal-Mart, and is close to several restaurants. The Library is also just across the street from the [...]

No, I don’t mean whitewater rafting, as in the adventurous kind. I’m talking about relaxing, lay out on your inexpensive, 1-person-dayglo-green or pink raft as you float just off the beach in the gentle near-shore waters of Waikiki. My wife and I enjoy this activity (especially my wife), when we want to go to the [...]

Then, promptly at 8:00: boom! The first fireworks lit up the night sky with blazing reds and whites. There were some really impressive explosives—firecrackers, rockets, pinwheels and what have you—which can be heard throughout Waikiki. A few boats also lead fireworks cruises and could be seen bobbing not far from shore to witness the spectacle.

On May 10, 2008, my wife and I went to the 16th annual Filipino Festival in Waikiki. There was also a parade which ran along Kalakaua Avenue, but we only attended the festival part of it, which was in Kapiolani Park, across the street from Queen’s Beach. We arrived at the park at around 11 AM and the festival was already in full swing. The park was filled with people celebrating Filipino culture: a musical group performed on a stage with dancers, vendors of all sorts sold food and drinks, arts and crafts, while families and people of all ages walked around experiencing it all.

Looking to the left, there is sort of a shallow bay area leading up to a high stone wall fronting another beach mansion. There is a small footpath that winds its way out through the rocks to this wall, and while we were there we saw a group of Hawaiian kids taking turns jumping off the wall into the water below. It looked like fun, but my wife and I preferred to remain on the main, sandy part of the beach.

A friend of mine recently invited me to spend an afternoon at Ala Moana Beach Park with her and her family. It was the day of their annual family picnic, and she promised I’d have a great time.

We decided to start the day with breakfast at his friend’s restaurant and walk down to the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach Hotel to watch my canoe club race in the OHCRA or Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association McFarlene 4th of July regatta at Waikiki Beach.