hot takes on assorted bullshit.

Hawaii 2022

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kate

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At the end of April/beginning of May of 2022 I spent two weeks in Hawaii with my mom, my sister, and her friend. 

Click for an interactive map of the places I went on my trip!

It was indescribably beautiful.

Yes, I already want to go back.

More photos (SO many more photos) at the end.

Manhattan Beach

Before we got to Hawaii, we flew into LAX and stayed for the day and overnight at my uncle’s house in Manhattan Beach. My uncle and his family weren’t there, which was too bad, but we spent a pleasant day walking around the city and had some excellent Mexican food for dinner. 

Kauai

I drove all over Kauai, we did an ATV tour and saw places where Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Ark were filmed and swam in a waterfall.  I saw ancient Hawaiian temples (“heaiu”) and gorgeous beaches. I went to a coffee plantation and tasted a flight of coffee and I drove along the rim of “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific”. I hiked to the rim of the canyon on a nature trail and hiked to a cave near the ocean. I walked across a swinging rope bridge and saw a ditch built with a unique architecture before the 14th century to bring water from a river to the taro fields. I went to a luau. I took a helicopter tour of the island, saw a bunch of waterfalls including the one they filmed for the helicopter landing scene of Jurassic Park, and flew into a volcanic crater. I drank fresh fruit juice from a roadside stand at a waterfall, had bubble tea, ate Dole whip, and had a gyro and falafel from a food truck in Hanalei Town.

Kauai is ruggedly gorgeous, and it was pretty much love at first sight, certainly love before first hike.

Maui

Maui was also gorgeous but busier. We had shave ice (twice!) and ate at Star Noodle. I got a jagua henna tattoo. We watched the sunset from the beach and from 10,000 feet up on a volcano. I attempted to drive the back road to Hana but had to turn around and go the “classic” way because Pi’ilani Highway was washed out. I went to a black sand beach where the waves made the rocks rumble like nothing I’ve ever heard before on their way out. I drove through a dry stream bed and a lava gulch. I drove the 620 curves and 59 bridges of the Hana Highway in a convertible. I saw sweeping valleys, steep cliffs, and loads and loads of waterfalls. I climbed into a lava tube and got to see rainbow eucalyptus trees. I ate amazing Thai food from a roadside stand. We drove to the summit of Haleakalā and stargazed after the sunset. We saw rainbows from our hotel suite.

Maui was chill and had something for everyone.

Oahu

Oahu was a 180 from Kauai but I was here for it. We went to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. We walked around Waikiki and went swimming at the gorgeous beach. We saw more rainbows and caught a hula show from the sidewalk. I had ice cream (Kona coffee and Hawaiian chocolate) and a cappuccino. We walked down Kalakaua Avenue and felt like we were in a weird amalgamation of Rodeo Drive and downtown Hollywood.

Oahu was fun in a city kind of way.

Flight home

The flight home itself was pretty amazing – we were in United Polaris First Class seats, so we had lie-flat seats. Best overnight flight I’ve ever had.

Photos

Do I have some photos for you! You can use your left and right arrow keys to move through the photos in the gallery below.

  • Manhattan Beach, CA – Yeah In-N-Out!

  • Manhattan Beach, CA – Manhattan Beach Pier with my sister and mom

  • Manhattan Beach, CA – Manhattan Beach Pier with my mom, sister, and Michelle

  • Manhattan Beach, CA – Michelle’s birthday dinner at El Sombrero

  • Manhattan Beach, CA – Outside my uncle’s house with my sister

  • Kauai – Rum punch on the flight to Kauai

  • Kauai – Kalapaki Beach

  • Kauai – Timbers Reception with my mom and sister

  • Kauai – Duke’s

  • Kauai – Duke’s

  • Kauai – Nēnē at Timbers

  • Kauai – Grounds at Timbers

  • Kauai – Outside Hululani’s

  • Kauai – View from the front of the apartment

  • Kauai – My sister

  • Kauai – Michelle and my sister

  • Kauai – Spouting Horn Park

  • Kauai – Spouting Horn Park

  • Kauai – Kiahuna Beach

  • Kauai – Unnamed Heiau

  • Kauai – Kāneiʻolouma Heiau

  • Kauai – Kāneiʻolouma Heiau

  • Kauai – Tree Tunnel

  • Kauai – Dinner at Sam’s Ocean View

  • Kauai – Dinner at Sam’s Ocean View

  • Kauai – ATV tour!

  • Kauai – ATV tour – In front of where gallimimus scene from Jurassic Park was filmed!

  • Kauai – ATV tour!

  • Kauai – ATV tour!

  • Kauai – ATV tour!

  • Kauai – ATV tour!

  • Kauai – ATV tour! It was a little dusty…

  • Kauai – ATV tour!

  • Kauai – ATV tour! Waterfall!

  • Kauai – ATV tour! Swimming in a waterfall 😊

  • Kauai – Coffee farm

  • Kauai – Coffee tasting

  • Kauai – Coffee tree

  • Kauai – Mocha blended. Move over Starbucks!

  • Kauai – Fort Elizabeth

  • Kauai – Statue of King Kaumuali’i

  • Kauai – Overlooking Waimea Town

  • Kauai – Kekaha Lookout

  • Kauai – Red Dirt Waterfall

  • Kauai – Iliau Nature Loop

  • Kauai – Waimea Canyon State Park

  • Kauai – Waimea Canyon State Park

  • Kauai – Koke’e Natural History Museum

  • Kauai – Koke’e Natural History Museum

  • Kauai – Live music from Nick at Koke’e Lodge Cafe

  • Kauai – Kalalau Lookout – Na Pali coast from inside a cloud

  • Kauai – Looking south from Pu’u O Kila Lookout

  • Kauai – Looking north from Pu’u O Kila Lookout – Na Pali Coast

  • Kauai – Looking north from Pu’u O Kila Lookout – Na Pali Coast

  • Kauai – Waipo’o Falls Lookout

  • Kauai – Waipo’o Falls Lookout

  • Kauai – Coming back from Waimea Canyon

  • Kauai – Japanese White Eye

  • Kauai – Swinging Bridge near Menehune Ditch

  • Kauai – Menehune Ditch

  • Kauai – Menehune Ditch

  • Kauai – Kauai – Swinging Bridge near Menehune Ditch

  • Kauai – Swinging Bridge near Menehune Ditch

  • Kauai – Swinging Bridge near Menehune Ditch

  • Kauai – Captain James Cook Statue, Waimea Town

  • Kauai – Hanapepe Town

  • Kauai – Hanapepe Town

  • Kauai – Hanapepe Valley Lookout

  • Kauai – Hanapepe Valley Lookout

  • Kauai – Poipu Beach

  • Kauai – Poipu Beach

  • Kauai – Red-Crested Cardinal

  • Kauai – Shipwreck Beach

  • Kauai – Shipwreck Beach

  • Kauai – Dirt Road to Kauai – Makauwahi Cave Trail

  • Kauai – Makauwahi Cave Trail

  • Kauai – Makauwahi Cave Trail

  • Kauai – Makauwahi Cave Trail

  • Kauai – Makauwahi Cave Trail

  • Kauai – Makauwahi Cave Trail

  • Kauai – Albizia Tree

  • Kauai – Road to Hanalei

  • Kauai – Road to Hanalei

  • Kauai – View from Hanalei Beach

  • Kauai – View from Hanalei Beach

  • Kauai – Road to Lumaha’i Beach

  • Kauai – View from Lumaha’i Beach

  • Kauai – View from Lumaha’i Beach

  • Kauai – Hanalei Town

  • Kauai – Hanalei Town – Dole Whip

  • Kauai – Road from Hanalei

  • Kauai – Road from Hanalei

  • Kauai – Road from Hanalei

  • Kauai – Lu’au Kalamaku

  • Kauai – Lu’au Kalamaku

  • Kauai – Lu’au Kalamaku

  • Kauai – Lu’au Kalamaku

  • Kauai – Lu’au Kalamaku

  • Kauai – Lu’au Kalamaku

  • Kauai – Lu’au Kalamaku

  • Kauai – Lu’au Kalamaku

  • Kauai – Lu’au Kalamaku

  • Kauai – Lu’au Kalamaku

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Manawaiopuna Falls (Jurassic Falls)

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Manawaiopuna Falls (Jurassic Falls)

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Manawaiopuna Falls (Jurassic Falls)

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Manawaiopuna Falls (Jurassic Falls)

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Waipo’o Falls

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Na Pali Coast

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Na Pali Coast

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Na Pali Coast

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Na Pali Coast

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Na Pali Coast

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Na Pali Coast

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Hanalei Bay

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Waialeale Crater

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Waialeale Crater

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Waialeale Crater

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Waialeale Crater

  • Kauai – Helicopter Tour – Wailua

  • Kauai – Wailua Falls – Pineapple Strawberry juice from a guy with a couple of coolers, lol

  • Kauai – Wailua Falls

  • Kauai – Wailua Falls

  • Kauai – Wailua River State Park – Hikinaakala Heiau

  • Kauai – Wailua River State Park – Hikinaakala Heiau

  • Kauai – Wailua River State Park – Hikinaakala Heiau

  • Kauai – Wailua River State Park – Wailua River mouth

  • Kauai – Wailua River State Park – Hikinaakala Heiau

  • Kauai – Bubble Tea in Lihue

  • Kauai – Wailua River State Park – Hikinaakala Heiau

  • Kauai – Wailua River State Park – Hikinaakala Heiau

  • Kauai – Wailua River State Park – Hikinaakala Heiau

  • Kauai – Wailua River State Park – Hikinaakala Heiau

  • Kauai – Mamahune’s

  • Kauai – Mamahune’s

  • Kauai – Cabana at Royal Sonesta on Kalapaki Beach

  • Maui – Flight

  • Maui – West Maui

  • Maui – West Maui

  • Maui – West Maui

  • Maui – West Maui

  • Maui – West Maui

  • Maui – Lunch at Leilani’s – Mai tai!

  • Maui – Birds of Paradise at Aston Kaanapali Shores

  • Maui – View from Star Noodle

  • Maui – Lunch at Star Noodle

  • Maui – Shave ice at Ululani’s Lahaina

  • Maui – Shave ice at Ululani’s Lahaina

  • Maui – Jagua henna tattoo in Lahaina

  • Maui – Sunset at Kapalua Bay Beach

  • Maui – Sunset at Kapalua Bay Beach

  • Maui – Sunset at Kapalua Bay Beach

  • Maui – Sunset at Kapalua Bay Beach

  • Maui – Sunset at Kapalua Bay Beach

  • Maui – Sunset at Kapalua Bay Beach

  • Maui – Sunset at Kapalua Bay Beach

  • Maui – Sunset at Kapalua Bay Beach

  • Maui – McGregor Point

  • Maui – Pi’ilani Highway – Cinder Cone

  • Maui – Pi’ilani Highway – Cinder Cone

  • Maui – Pi’ilani Highway

  • Maui – Pi’ilani Highway – Manawainui Lava Gulch

  • Maui – Pi’ilani Highway – Sea Arch

  • Maui – Pi’ilani Highway – Sea Arch

  • Maui – Pi’ilani Highway – Huakini Beach

  • Maui – Pi’ilani Highway – Huakini Beach

  • Maui – Pi’ilani Highway – Kaupo Gap

  • Maui – Pi’ilani Highway – Kaupo Gap

  • Maui – Pi’ilani Highway – Stream crossing

  • Maui – Pi’ilani Highway – Stream crossing

  • Maui – Pi’ilani Highway – Manawainui Lava Gulch

  • Maui – Pi’ilani Highway – Manawainui Lava Gulch

  • Maui – Pi’ilani Highway

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Kaumahina State Park

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Rainbow eucalyptus grove

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Nua’ailua Viewpoint

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Halfway to Hana

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Wailua Valley State Wayside

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Wailua Valley State Wayside

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Wailua Valley State Wayside

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Lava tube

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Lava tube

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Lava tube

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Makapipi Falls

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Makapipi Falls

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Hana Town

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Lunch at Thai Food by Pranee

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Hana Bay

  • Maui – Hana Highway

  • Maui – Hana Highway

  • Maui – Hana Highway

  • Maui – Hana Highway

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Waialohe Park

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Waialohe Park

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Waialohe Park

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Rainbow eucalyptus grove

  • Maui – Hana Highway – Rainbow eucalyptus grove

  • Maui – Aston Kaanapali Shores

  • Maui – Aston Kaanapali Shores

  • Maui – West Maui

  • Maui – Kahului

  • Maui – Central Plains

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park – Haleakalā Summit

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park – Haleakalā Summit

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park – Haleakalā Summitaleakalā National Park

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park – Haleakalā Summit

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park – Haleakalā Summit

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park – Haleakalā Summit

  • Maui – Haleakalā National Park – Haleakalā Summit

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Pearl Harbor

  • Oahu – Drive to Waikiki

  • Oahu – Drive to Waikiki

  • Oahu – Drive to Waikiki

  • Oahu – Drive to Waikiki

  • Oahu – Drive to Waikiki

  • Oahu – Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki – View from balcony

  • Oahu – Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki – View from balcony

  • Oahu – Waikiki

  • Oahu – Waikiki

  • Oahu – Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki – Rainbow Tower

  • Oahu – Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki – Luau

  • Oahu – Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki – Luau

  • Oahu – Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki – Super Pool

  • Oahu – Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki – Rainbow Bazaar

  • Oahu – Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki – Luau

  • Oahu – Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki – View from balcony

  • Oahu – Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki – View from balcony

  • Oahu – Flight home

  • Oahu – Flight home

  • Oahu – Flight home

  • Oahu – Flight home

  • Oahu – Flight home

  • Oahu – Flight home

  • Boston – Landing

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