Tag: hawaii

Honolulu City Lights 2016 at Honolulu Hale

Christmas in Paradise – Honolulu City Lights 2016

Taking a break from procrastinating on my posts for Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Aruba, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico (ugh), I present to you, in the meantime, the holiday magic of the Honolulu City Lights, an annual tradition on Oahu (where I’m from). It all takes place at Honolulu Hale (city hall) where a big Christmas tree is lit out front, and decoration and wreath contests are held within. So enjoy these photos with warm thoughts, wherever you are, while listening to the classic Hawaiian song inspired by the event.

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Surfing in Waikiki on Oahu

Visions of Hawaii

Having a rough day at work? Winter blues got you down? Maybe this will help warm your spirits. Take a break from your routine with this compilation of photos I took during my time back home in Hawaii (specifically on Oahu, where I grew up, and Kauai). Photos were taken with my iPhone, as I left my DSLR in San Francisco, and originally posted online (hey, follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!).

Continue reading “Visions of Hawaii”

Christmas in Hawaii - Honolulu City Lights 2014

Christmas in Paradise – Honolulu City Lights 2014

It’s that time of the year again! The Honolulu City Lights at Honolulu Hale (Honolulu’s city hall) are up for the 2014 Christmas season with the traditional Hawaiian holiday displays, the Christmas tree and wreath competition, and Santa Claus for all the little kiddies. Rides and food vendors line South King Street outside. There was even a new display this year, a whole family of carolers complete with a dog and a guy fishing. Check out the photos while listening to Keola and Kapono Beamer’s classic Hawaiian hit, “Honolulu City Lights,” a song about the city lights applicable any time of the year.

Continue reading “Christmas in Paradise – Honolulu City Lights 2014”

The Sunset and Sunrise in Waikiki

Sunset over Waikiki Beach on Oahu

As if I needed another reason to be homesick again, I’ve compiled a list of sunset and sunrise photos from my last trip home to Oahu, Hawaii. The sunset photos were taken along Waikiki Beach throughout our short stay in the area. The sunrise photos were captured early in the morning (anything before 9am is “early” to me) along the Ala Wai Canal on the other end of Waikiki. Continue reading “The Sunset and Sunrise in Waikiki”

Doris Duke's Shangri La on Oahu

Visiting Doris Duke’s Shangri La and Cromwell’s Beach in Hawaii

I’ve been to my fair share of mansions in my life, but few compare to Doris Duke’s impressive Shangri La, located along the Kahala coast of Oahu. The heiress fell in love with Hawaii and became the first female competitive surfer in the world. She even learned the sport under the tutelage of the legendary Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing.

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5 Things to Know Before Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial

USS Arizona Memorial

The USS Arizona Memorial, part of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument that recognizes the stories of the Pacific War, is one of the top attractions in Hawaii and arguably the most popular tourist spot on Oahu. Its significance cannot be understated, as it serves as a memorial for the “date which will live in infamy” that pushed the United States into World War II. And because it’s such a popular destination for visitors, there are more than a few things you should keep in mind before arriving to ensure your visit is as pleasant as possible.

Here are five things you should know before visiting the USS Arizona Memorial: Continue reading “5 Things to Know Before Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial”

Honolulu City Lights - Christmas 2012 - Iolani Palace

The Honolulu City Lights – Christmas in Hawaii

Following last year’s “Christmas in Paradise – The Honolulu City Lights” photo post, I’d like to share what went down at Honolulu Hale this holiday season. There were a few notable changes, including the seahorses standing guard outside the exhibition building, an octopus added to the main fountain area (a new addition to Hawaiian Santa’s posse) and an especially impressive display of wreaths in the annual contest (scroll down for the first place winner – a beautiful peacock made from old CDs). Continue reading “The Honolulu City Lights – Christmas in Hawaii”

Using Google Street View to explore your hometown like we did when we were kids

I grew up on the far west side of Oahu in a town called Makakilo, a place even some of my high school friends didn’t know about. And while I spent some time in San Francisco, most of my childhood was isolated here, from preschool in the former Barber’s Point Naval Air Station to attending high school downtown.

Remember the days without computers? Remember when your evenings weren’t spent refreshing Facebook or Twitter (or even Myspace)? As kids, we would spend our ample free time exploring our hometown, discovering new swing sets hidden in residential complexes or finding grand panoramas of Honolulu from our mountaintop perspective.

With Google Street View (somehow now available for my hometown), I’m able to explore Makakilo like I did when I was a kid. Perhaps, even more so. There are areas I had never bothered visiting. And through technology, I’m able to explore my hometown even further, all while refreshing my Facebook and Twitter feeds.

Here are some Google Street View shots of Makakilo and Kapolei:


Mauka Lani Elementary School, a public school I attended for several years. Continue reading “Using Google Street View to explore your hometown like we did when we were kids”