'You've never been to Hana?'
July 13th, 2009 by CatMy friend just returned from a nine-day trip visiting some of the country's most renowned sights, including Mount Rushmore and Old Faithful.
On his tour he was surprised to see so many tourists from nearby states, eager to see these landmarks just a car ride away.
How could they live here and not have seen these things? he wondered.
Easy.
Look at us.
I know people born and raised in Hawai'i who have never eaten at Matsumoto Shave Ice in Hale'iwa, hiked to the top of Diamond Head or visited the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial. (My mom included.)
It's interesting how we don't take advantage of what's in our own backyards.
Even me.
Though I've seen a lot — from the sunrise on Haleakala to the amber glow of lava at night at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, from snorkeling at Hanauma Bay to surfing on O'ahu's North Shore — there are still some things I haven't done yet:
• Drive the winding road to Hana
• Jump of the rock at Waimea Bay
• See snow atop Mauna Kea (or Mauna Loa)
• Hang out at the sandbar in Kane'ohe Bay
• Witness Jaws on Maui
• Experience Germaine's Lu'au
• Ride horses at Kualoa Ranch
• Hike the Na Pali Coast
• Visit Lana'i
What have you not done in your own hometown yet? And what's stopping us?
***
Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish, send her an e-mail at cat@thecatdish.com, and now watch her every Thursday at 6:45 a.m. on KHNL News 8.
Tags: Diamond Head, Germaine's Luau, Haleakala, Hana, hawaii, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kaneohe Bay, Kauai, Kualoa Ranch, Lanai, landmarks, Matsumoto Shave Ice, Maui, Mount Rushmore, Na Pali Coast, Oahu, Old Faithful, sights, sightseeing, toth, tourism, tourist, travel, travelers, traveling, trip, USS Arizona Memorial, vacation, Waimea Bay
July 13th, 2009 at 2:03 am
you gotta surf Wapio Valley on the Big Island.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:10 am
The road to Hana is awesome,as is the drive to Hawaii's Grand Canyon on Kauai. Hiking the Na Pali coast (Kauai) is mind blowing. Playing basketball at Paki Park was a blast. Drinking the refreshing.ice-cold micro brew beer at the Brew Moon is an indelible memory.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:16 am
i'd rather go to Molokai than Lanai.Big,beautiful beach with no one in sight. I wouldnt mind being a guest host on the Dash and Diane show.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:07 am
Visiting relatives on the plantation camps. It doesn't and they don't exist anymore.
Don't wait too long to do these things.....one never knows.
July 13th, 2009 at 6:19 am
Now that I live on the mainland, I so wish I had done a lot more things in Hawaii. I live in the south in the middle of a bunch of rice fields now.
July 13th, 2009 at 6:20 am
CAT,
Old as I am, I have never done the Diamond Head trek, nor Koko Head or stairway. Have been to Mt Kaala and hiked the ridge from Palolo to cliff side of the Koolau on the Windward side. I live so close to Diamond Head and see it all the time but never got the desire to go to the top. Maybe in my next life as a gecko.
July 13th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Hi Cat,
The only things on your list that I have done was drive to Hana and go to Lanai. Lanai is nice, especially the Koele Lodge but it's pricy.
The thing on your list that I would like to do is see snow on the big island.
July 13th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Good Morning Cat!
I never been to Lanai...or
hiked Kokohead or
stairway to heaven...
July 13th, 2009 at 7:09 am
On the Big Island, I still haven't hiked in to see the lava flow into the ocean. (Too lazy).
I never tried the new Creme Puff place in Hilo. (I will now but they closed Sun-Tue and open 7-2 (or sold out) the rest of the week.
July 13th, 2009 at 7:35 am
I went on that road to Hana with my daughters a few years ago. It was windy and rainy but we had a great time! Too bad the weather was so bad.
I still have to go visit my cousins on the Big Island. Can you believe it, I've never been there. Shame on me.
July 13th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Haven't jumped off the Waimea rock - too chicken.
A great way to do the road to Hana is to get a bunch a people together and run the Hana relays. You don't get too carsick that way.
I've surfed Honomanu on the road to Hana.
Hiked in to see the lava flow with the kids at 5 in the morning and watched the sunrise.
Played in the snow at Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
Haven't been to Lana'i. My husband won't let us as he's against the development of the island.
Would like to go to Kaho'olawe.
July 13th, 2009 at 8:34 am
I old, born and raised on Oahu and hiked up Diamond Head for first time last year. It took 60 years but finally went and would like to go again. The hike is easy and the view is spectacular. Bring binoculars and check out the ants playing soccer at Kapiolani Park. The only problem is dealing with the mass of people going up and down.
July 13th, 2009 at 8:54 am
I drove to Hana a last month. If you're gonna do it, do the whole experience....meaning....at the cool stops there's only parking on the street for about 10 cars and if there's no space you have to drive on, plus there's almost always someone behind you. It was ok, but I was mentally exhausted from concentrating on the road for so many hours.
I've done 5 of the things you haven't done, Cat. Now that we're moving to the mainland soon, I've made an effort to live it up here, somewhat to the detriment of my productivity at work!
July 13th, 2009 at 9:34 am
I haven't been to some of the eating places you blogged about.
Been to Hana a few times
Played in the snow on Mauna Kea
Been to the sandbar in Kane'ohe bay
Been to Germaine's Lu'au
Rode horse's at Kualoa Ranch a few times
Has anyone rode the Glider planes at Mokuleia? If you didn't add that one on your list. I did that one a few times. Next one is skydiving.
July 13th, 2009 at 9:36 am
One way of seeing local places you would otherwise not see is to show the islands to friends and relatives from other islands and the mainland.
That is the only time I visit places like the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls, the lava flow in Kalapana, Lyman Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, Tsunami Museum, Pololu and Waipio valleys, City of Refuge in Honaunau, Kamehameha Statue in Kohala, Kohola Heiau and the Painted Church in Honaunau.
I enjoy seeing snow laden Mauna Kea from Liliuokalani Garden or Coconut Island (Moku Ola) in Hilo and Mauna Loa from the Mauna Loa road going to Bird Park in the Volcanoes National Park in the morning when it is sunny and the sky is blue without a cloud in sight. The views are awesome!
July 13th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Well, there's an awful lot of beaches I have never been to on Oahu. Also, like others have mentioned, I have never been to many of the old standby eateries that are mentioned here on this blog. I do remember Scotty's though on Keeaumoku.
July 13th, 2009 at 10:34 am
I live in Southern California about an hour from Hollywood. When my cousin was here from Louisiana he wanted to see the Hollywood sign. I had to call my cousin in Kansas to ask her what freeway you could see the sign from! I never go to Hollywood unless we have guests in town and even then I have to look at a map to remember the off ramp.
July 13th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Hi Cat... live on the Big Island (over 40 years) have not gone near the volcano, not sure why? maybe some day... prefer to be on Molokai and enjoy the people and peace there.
July 13th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I've been to all of the islands except Niihau and Kahoolawe. I'd be pretty comfortable getting around all of the main islands, but definitely haven't seen or experienced enough.
Though living on Oahu all of my life, I know that there is so much that I've not seen or done. I suppose it takes incentive to venture even at home.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
@oldshoes oh yes well I didn't surf but I did go with my hawaiian lang class when I was in high school, talk about good fun! and we also visited the big warm pool and a smaller one. But Waipio valley! that was good fun!
Oh I've been to Germain's Luau! me and my other half, and a bunch of friends went there to celebrate a birthday! it was awesome! Especially because we were Kama'aina so we got the big poi bowl and one of my friends drums there so the drinks was on his tab. He took care all 14 of us!
I have been to hana a few times when i was living with my parents, and all i can remember is me getting car sick all the time we went! BOO!~
I've never been to pali lookout! yeah I know I suck! lol
I've visited all the island except for Ni'ihau, Kaho'olawe and Lana'i.
I've never hike any trail EVER! I think only Daimond Head but that was for a school feild trip, and I swear I was about the DIE! lol
I've never went to Kualoa Ranch just to do the activites there.
I've never been up to Mauna Kea! IDK why I've been to Big island like uku million times!
Oh and I don't know down town areas! lol I would get lost! Now if you tell me from Aiea down to yokes i'm good! lol.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
I'd like to spend more time on the neighbor islands. I discover new things each visit, especially the good places to eat, the best beaches, and the sweet surf spots. I also like to understand the unique cultures of each island, and that definitely takes time.
I agree with James. Mainland visitors are a great excuse for taking in the local attractions. Otherwise, many of us don't make enough time for it. On a related note, living on the mainland for many years really increased my sense of wonder for our local treasures. It taught me to love the things that I took for granted and was used to seeing everyday. I do much more to appreciate these things now than I ever did before being away. However, it's still probably not enough.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
i would like to do everything on your list except the snow thing. i saw that a few times.
i'd also like to hike the stairway to heaven thing.
also see the lava on the big island (as close as i can get).
July 13th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Nope, never been to Hana. I've been to Midway. I hear Hana's better.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Seems to be two "visitors"... Strange that both showed up in sequence. Anyway, "visitor" #18 doesn't reside on the Big Island.
July 13th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Cat, there are waaaaaaay too many reasons for NOT going somewhere.
First, you have to know something is there, otherwise you'll never go there. Out of sight, out of mind.
Second, you have to have a desire to go there. I know a lot of folks that wouldn't want to hike up a bunch of stairs, regardless of the view at the top. Even if there was someone handing out $20 bills at the top, they still wouldn't go. They'd say it just wasn't enough.
Third: There needs to be time to do things. With family, a job (or jobs), and other activities, it's hard to find the time to get away.
Fourth: There is also the problem of accessibility. Living in an island state like Hawai`i really limits your accessibility to things. On the mainland, it is very easy to drive long distances and make it a "day trip" to somewhere. Years ago, my friends and I did a day trip from Las Vegas, NV to Los Angeles, CA. We logged probably 800 miles that day. The cost to us was minimal, simply the rental fee on the van, plus fuel. You simply can't do that in Hawai`i. You have to fly to another island, then rent a car once you get there. All of that adds up.
Fifth: Taking things for granted. Let's face it, we all do it. We keep saying "...one of these days...." Keep saying that and it eventually becomes never, because you're physically or financially unable to do something, or as in the case of a business, the business closes.
July 13th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Dear Cat,
Thank you for opening our eyes to the things we take for granted.
Once in a while we need someone special like yourself to kick ourselves in the okole to wake us up.
Much Mahalo,
Ignoramous
July 13th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Ignoramous, you are so correct.
July 14th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
In my hometown? The Stairway to Heaven. I think I'd freak out and just freeze going up there, thinking I might fall off! As much as I'd love to, that one isn't ever happening! Hehe same goes for jumping off Waimea rock!
I haven't been to Moloka'i or Lana'i sadly. Or saw snow at Mauna Kea/Loa. Gone to the lighthouse here on Oahu. Surfed or SUP'd anywhere, but I'd love to learn. Missed out on a bunch of hikes. At least I did Diamond head haha. The funny thing is, I like to do the touristy thing, yet there is still so much I haven't done or seen.
July 14th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
You gotta do Hana... for this, and much more.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OoBS7OmFipY/SjYWXWnRWSI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/ZWB0rRuia00/s1600-h/l_f7fd9ac88bd043a0a69893831161a264.jpg
July 14th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Anyone else besides me ever been inside the public housing complexes like KPT, Mayor Wright's, Kam IV or Palolo Valley Housing?
Some people think I was nuts for visiting those places!
But I was curious, the same way I'm curious about what's inside the neighborhoods of Manoa, Kahala or Hawaii Kai!
What I do advise, if you visit those public housing complexes is...
avoid wearing red or blue (gang colors)
don't stare at people
don't take photographs of people without permission
don't act like you're lost, just walk like you know where you're going
if you see suspicious activity, avoid that area before they see you
don't go at night if you don't know your way around
don't carry expensive items
Of course, nothing in the world can guarantee your safety (not even in Manoa or Kahala) , but exploring our lower-income communities can be an educational experience!
BTW: I did grow up in Puahala (aka Lanakila Housing) which is a smaller version of those low-income communitieis I mentioned! So I was familiar with the "ghetto life" before exploring those other communities!