New goal- jog Hawaii!

I finally started jogging again. Actually, I don't know if one hour of jogging really means I have started up this once daily ritual of mine. It has been years since I put on running shoes and hit the pavement on a regular basis. But that's okay. I try not to look back and wonder what the heck took me so long.
Anyway, I decided that my first jog would be up Diamond Head Road, which is frequented by joggers throughout the day. I parked at the bottom of the hill, thinking it would be hard work up the hill, and a lot of fun on the way down. Though the view was awesome, I chose a very hot time of the day to run up a hill without any water. Plus, I had to carry my cell phone, ipod, and keys, and stash my ID and credit cards in location that I choose not to disclose. The fumes from the passing vehicles would have dissipated if the winds had been a little bit stronger. So with the combination of fumes, heat, and a lack of water, I was pretty uncomfortable.
Diamond Head Road is a great jogging location, though I think it is best accessed in the early morning hours or in the evening.

Step out for outside for a shower...a meteor shower!

So I know that there are ten different meteor showers on a yearly basis. But I like the Perseids. I don't really know why I choose to venture out in the middle of the night this time of year, every year. But I do. It might have something to do with the weather, the clear skies, warm nights, and that its summer time and school is out. And although we live here in Hawaii now, where the weather is always nice, the skies are pretty clear year round, the nights are warm, and- well its not summer vacation all year- but it feels like it, I think that some things just should not change. For that reason I am packing a bag and some food, blankets and a cell phone, and heading out to a dark spot to watch the meteors. Most people would sleep. In fact, it seems most do. Guess that's a good thing though because I don't want to be joined by tens of thousands of people lining up on the beach to watch the 'show'. That's another thing. I can't figure out why so many people do not know what a meteor shower is. Are humans that removed from nature- so out of touch? Ask a child to name a few video game systems and there will be no problem. Ask him to name a few meteor showers- you might just get a blank stare. Oh well- in my quest for knowledge and cheap yet legal thrills- here we go again! Hoping for clear skies all night and safe times!

Get to the cheap movies while you can!

This is just a friendly reminder...the low cost movie theater at Restaurant Row will be closing very soon. For many years residents and tourists have enjoyed low cost flicks and cheap food, all at a nice location. However, the theater will no longer be after August 1st (at least I think that's the closing date). Get out there and take advantage of the low price movies and snacks---you really can't find any thing that compares in cost savings.
Contact info:

WTC- Restaurant Row 9

808-526-4171

For movie listings:
http://www.hellohonolulu.com/shared/theaters/WTC-_Restaurant_Row_9_HONOLULU.cfm

Honolulu Zoo....more than just animals!

I'm always looking for something new and interesting to do, and found an activity worth noting. The Honolulu Zoo, as most residents know, offers enrichment classes and family activities at an additional cost and at different times throughout the year. Tonight we took part in the Stargazing at the Zoo activity- which was worth every penny. The night included a guided evening tour of the zoo, snacks and drinks, a star lab activity, and some time to view the night sky with really great telescopes. The event was hosted by zoo staff and a few UH Manoa graduate astronomy students. This event reignited my desire to find and purchase new lenses for my telescope, which I used to use on a regular basis. So that is what I am off to do, and I am armed with some new information and tips provided by the staff at tonight's event. I highly recommend the zoo enrichment programs. For more info visit: www.honoluluzoo.org

Partial Solar Eclipse Viewable from Hawaii

A quick heads up! Today around 5pm Hawaii Standard Time there will be a partial solar eclipse viewable from the Hawaiian islands. The eclipse will be at its max at around 5:45. View the partial eclipse by looking to the West, and in a direction where there is no cloud cover. (Waikiki is a good location to view it from). Be sure that you do not look in to the sun...get some 'sun peeps' which are still available at the Windward College Observatory in Kaneohe until around 1pm today. Have fun!

Sea Turtles in Waikiki? Yes, Indeed!

So this is a little bit off the blogging path for me. Usually I just write about hiking and such, however I just wanted to share a little something that happened today. My family and and myself have been making an effort to squeeze in more beach days before summer vacay ends. So we headed out to the beach again today- this time we went to Waikiki near Fort DeRussy. In the late afternoons there is usually a band playing at one of the beach front hotels, so we were able to listen to music and play in the waves. While hanging out on the beach we spotted three very large sea turtles in the water. Now for those who know me, they know that I have pictures of sea turtles spotted at various locations around the island on my Facebook page, so why is this a surprise? Well, to be honest I rarely see sea turtles in the water near Waikiki. A couple of years ago I saw one in the harbor down by the Ilikai hotel, and then last month we spotted another one while kayaking, pretty close to the same spot we were hanging out at today, only much further out in the water. I know that surfers and ocean swimmers sight these beauties all the time on the South shore. But to see three really large sea turtles, and for them to be so close to shore (I thought they might end up on the beach), was something special.
Here is the thing though, I just have to make this a PSA. As soon as people started spotting the turtles they had to try to swim right out to them. I don't advise doing this. Keep your distance- they are a protected species and they can bite or bump into you should you get to close. I will never understand why humans feel like they have to get so close to these animals. They are easily, and much better photographed from the shoreline. In fact, I got one decent shot of one of the turtles that we saw today, and I will post that once I get the pictures uploaded.
Well that's about it for this post. Be cautious out there in those South shore waves and keep an eye on the littlest swimmers and non-swimmers for that matter. The waves are fun to play in but lately they have been pretty big! Have fun and mahalo for reading!

Maunawili Falls Trail

By this point it's obvious I like to be outdoors and exploring. On that note, another one of my favorite hikes is Maunawili Falls Trail. This is another fairly easy trail for families, and best of all, at the end of the trail there is a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole. People enjoy jumping from the rocks into the pool- which to me looks like a blast, but I have yet to try it. Definitely wear a swimming suit as the trail crosses a stream a few times, and there are plenty of opporunities to cool off in the water. A camera is a must, and the ridgeline provides great views before the trail drops down to the valley and a set of stairs leads down to the creek, followed by the water fall.

The trail has quite a few uphill climbs and sets of stairs, but nothing too difficult for even the littlest hikers. Water and snacks are a must as the trail is about 2 miles each way.

Directions: From Honolulu, take the Pali Highway, heading toward Kailua. Make a right at the third stop light, which is Auloa Street, then go to the left on Maunawili Road. You will be driving through a subdivision. Follow Maunawili, make a right on Keewina Street. Park on the street. Be sure to lock all doors and do not leave valuables in a parked car.

Hiking Oahu- Manoa Falls Trail

The hike to Manoa Falls is one of my favorite hikes, and what I feel is one of the best on the entire island. It is a fairly simple 2 mile round trip hike back to a beautiful waterfall. Best of all it is easy to get to the trail head- whether by city bus or other form of transportation.
Parking near the beginning of the trail costs $5, and there is a small stand where snacks and drinks are sold. There is a restroom at the beginning of the trail. Word to the wise: take hand sanitizer and hold your nose. The port-a-potty always smells foul.
Keep a look out for exotic birds. You can always hear birds while out in the rainforest, and every now and then you might see a bird such as a cockatoo, especially near the Lyon Arboretum. Be prepared for rain (pack a light poncho); thick mosquitoes; mud; and humidity. Water is an absolute must on this hike, as well as a camera. Also, you can not swim in the pond due to the presence of bacteria. This hike is more for the view and exercise.
If you are visiting the island for a short time, this hike is one you should not mix. You will quickly travel from city, to suburb (Manoa), and back in to the rain forest in a matter of minutes, and you will be swept away by the beauty of Manoa valley. There is a restaurant, Lyon Arboretum, and what used to be Paradise Park all near the beginning of the hiking trail.

Directions:

Driving Directions to Manoa Falls / Location

Manoa Falls is located at the end of Manoa Road in Honolulu's neighborhood of Manoa. Take the city bus number 5 all the way to the last station. Or you can catch the number 4 in Waikiki going toward the UH campus. Get off the bus at Punahou School (you can't miss it- remember it is the school President Obama attended), head left up toward the next stop light and make a right. You will see a bus stop right in front of the other side of Punahou School. Wait for the #5 which will take you to the end of the bus route. The bus driver always announces the stop for Manoa Falls because there is almost always someone headed that way. When you get off the bus, go left and back in to the neighborhood. Take the road to the very end and you will see the park. You really can't miss it.

Driving directions: From H-1 take the University Street exit. Drive through UH campus and Turn right once you get to Manoa Road. Follow carefully follow until it dead ends at the trail head.

Address: 3860 Manoa Road Honolulu, HI 96822







For directions to the trail, follow this link:

Hiking Oahu- Waimano Trail

Lower Waimano trail is a nice family hike that only takes an hour or two. The trail is approximately 2 miles long and forms a loop. When starting out make sure you take the lower Waimano trail, as opposed to the upper trail. The lower trail starts at the same trailhead as upper Waimano, but it it heads down in to the valley and runs along side a creek. It then reconnects to upper Waimano trail and cuts back to the starting point. The beginning of the trail is a very easy down hill decent in to the valley. It is sunny- hats and sunglasses, and of course sunscreen are necessary. The valley itself is pretty well shaded and nice and cool. We were unable to enjoy the creek because there was no water in it! But the hike is very pretty, so very much worth the time.
When the trail reconnects to the upper trail it does get steep, and younger children might need a little push up the hill. To cut to the upper trail, look for the giant mango tree, take the trail up the hill (to the right) and make your way up to the main trail. Be sure to go to the right to head back to the trail head, along the fence line. If you go left you will be in for a much longer hike! Do not go left, unless prepared to be hiking for hours.
One thing about this area that everyone should take note of- it is a public hunting area. Bringing dogs out hiking with you is okay, but you might come across hunting dogs. Be aware of this and wear brightly colored clothes so hunters will be able to see you clearly.

Directions to the trail:
http://www.hawaiitrails.org/trail.php?TrailID=OA+09+021

Life on an island

Almost a year ago my family began the process of moving to Oahu, one of the main Hawaiian islands, and home to the capitol city of Honolulu. Withing a month we found an apartment on Oahu, packed up our belongings, sold a lot of stuff, said goodbye to friends and loved ones, and took off for the island.
During the moving process I had many people tell me that they think Hawaii is a nice place to visit, but not to live; that they felt sorry for me because I was moving to Oahu, of all the islands; that I would get claustrophobic and move back in a year or two; you get the point. Now almost a year later I am pleased to say that I am anything but claustrophobic, Oahu has a lot to offer and is a great place to live, and overall, living here is way better than just visiting! My life is far from perfect. And yes I have made sacrifices to be here. But it has been more than worth it and I would not change a thing.
That being said, I rearranged this entire blog so that instead of just talking about the move here and the adjustment to a new lifestyle, it is now about what my family does here on Oahu. Oahu is more than Waikiki and the tourist spots that so many people are familiar with, and I hope to share that with you.