Aiea Loop Hike

Highly recommend this 4 mile hike with views of the valleys below. Make sure to bring your hiking books though. The mud is ridiculous here - I was wearing flip flops (called Slippers here) and ended up taking them off to walk barefoot through the inches of mud. I think people pay good money for mud baths...I might be onto something!

DMV

Registering a car in Hawaii is nearly impossible. Finding the DMV is a challenge in and of it's self. And if you are lucky enough to locate it, make sure you are there by 2pm at the latest! I was in line to be waited on and the clock struck 4pm - quitting time. So sorry, if you aren't at the counter being served by 4pm you have to come back tomorrow. The next day I go and wait in line again only to be told that they don't accept credit cards. Finally, I have my cash and it's pre-4pm.....I wait in line one last time.....this time - success! Whew!

What's SUP?

SUP - Stand Up Paddleboarding! It's all the rage here in Hawaii. It's a cross between surfing and kayaking - while standing up! So much fun and a great work out. You can just paddle across the water or ride the waves in and paddle back out.

Art After Dark

I went to the Art After Dark show at the Honolulu Academy of Arts on Friday - it was amazing! There was live music, vendors, local celebrities, and some traditional Hawaiian Poi being made - a liquid paste made from taro. Think watered down refriend beans at a cheap mexican restaurant..... Met Tia Carrera from Wayne's World and a few other local celbrities from Lost and Hawaii 5.0. I guess it was the place to be!

Surf's Up Dude!

I got an introductory surfing lesson from a friend on Nimitz beach near Ewa Beach. It's a good local beach with waves about 3--4 feet high. I watched Blue Crush to prepare for my experience so I felt prepared...not so much! There is quite a lot to it - waiting for the right wave, paddling to catch it, and balancing to surf it. It's a challenge, but once you stand up and surf for the first time, you understand. It's addictive. The calm of the water and the sound of the waves is settling for even the most stressed out soul while waiting for the perfect wave. The rush of standing up and surfing in is exhilirating. Surf's up!

Oh My Mai Tai Cruise!

A must do on any Hawaiian holiday - a Mai Tai Sunset Cruise (booze cruise) around Waikiki and Honolulu with views of Diamond Head. There was no shortage of mai tai's or dolphins! My friends the Culp-Manzolis ordered up the perfect sunset and designated driver combo. What a great way to end the day!

Aloha Hawaii!

I came down to Honolulu for a job interview last week and have decided to move here! In the past week I bought a car, rented an apartment and made a ton of friends. Life is good!

I am creating this blog to chronicle my adventures on the beautiful island of Oahu. Enjoy!