Paradise?

Locals know that Hawaii isn't really paradise although they constantly refer to it as! But on any given day at the right moment in time it sure can feel like it.

The problem with trying to make a paradise is that  it comes with a price. Although tourism and real estate has grown massively causing rent and the cost of living to almost triple, so has the number of homeless. Especially in the bigger cities and out West on the coast where most city managed beach parks look more like refugee camps than coastal get-aways. The affected being mainly low income families that have been forced into such situations through lack of affordable housing and appropriate wage increases in line with the island's economy. The US really have to hold on to this one as if it wasn't for the comfortable climate throughout the year a lot of these guys would not be able to continue living the way they currently are.
When we travelled the west coast towards Ka'ema Point, humbling wasn't a strong enough word to describe how we felt when witnessing these tented communities.

At times the island can feel more Asian than American. A place where people strongly support locally sourced and produced products, well why wouldn't given the vast distances to the nearest mainlands.
Recycling is a given and marine conservation has a high profile. A healthy way of life is practiced through an active outdoor beachside lifestyle that is certainly not taken for granted but the real steady climate is helping here in many aspects.

Goodbye Hawaii cocktails were had and a fairwell toast to all things Hawaiian. Would you believe it though it's against the law in this state to buy a round of drinks at a bar. All consumers must be present and witnessed by bar staff at the time of purchase. America hey, you gotta love-it.

Like Fiji, Hawaii had given us plenty of beach time which has been good as it gives us time to think, relax and reflect. Generally shot the breeze and just banter away the days. But it's time to pack away the bikinis, baggies and boardwax. Colder climes await.

We had a carry-on with the FC as we couldn't extend our time here as after much communications it seemed in the end our fully flexible RTW ticket wasn't that flexible! Annoying at the time but once we dealt with the initial disappointment we couldn't help but look to the future and see through a smile that there are still some great places to come. Also we are loving the feeling of leaving a place that we're really still into as we can always come back, one day. Just hope the reef keeps kicking up those waves.

So nothing else for it, to overcome my blues it was off for a surf, just to cleanse the mind of all rubbish flight operator restrictions. Flexible, mexical, ahhh airlines.  Just noticed that having spent so much time in the pacific it looks like even my watch has started to perish.

Goodbye  Hawaii, where in one blink of an eye you can go from a crowded metropolis to rolling hills carpeted in pineapples to remote turquoise bays that simply teem with sea life.

Miss / not miss

D.

Miss:
Catching the cleanest pacific rolling waves I've ever experienced, ever - all right out front of tower 2B Waikiki, America doing what it does best, the encapsulation of the Aloha spirit, beach based or very close by longboard hire (Oz, NZ and Fiji take note).

Not miss:
The lack of Bombay mix (beef jerky just doesn't cut it for me!)

F.

Miss:
Asian couples in matching clothing, 'Yogurt-land' it's a calorie free dream, great climate,

Not miss:
Tramps, high rise buildings right on the beach, the mass array of churches on every block, prices not including tax (just tell me the total price I need to be paying you people, will you, please!)