While Christmas travel might not be on your agenda this year, we all feel like that day is coming, once we get past omicron, or whatever might be next. And with that thought- traveling- comes an eternal question so often asked by our mainland friends- “which island should I visit?”
Wow, what a quandary?! Even for locals. For each island has its own innate charms and special features, so it comes down to: “what are you looking for”? And while we might find ourselves befuddled trying to answer the question if we opt for a staycation, it’s not that different than if someone traveled to New York- New York City, Niagara Falls, West Point, Lake Placid, the Catskills… Same thing with most other states that have disparate sites within. California? LA, SF, the desert, Lake Tahoe? So many choices and so little time.
Having just returned from a glorious trip to Hawai`i Island, I was reminded of just how unique a place the Big Island is. From Hilo through Honoka`a and Parker Ranch to Waikoloa. Hawi, Kawaihae, Na`alehu, Pahoa, Puako, Volcano (the town), an active volcano, black sand beaches, snow, paniolo, unique wildlife, vibrant agriculture… the list goes on and on. While there, I visualized in real time that age-old question from non-akamai malahini: “why do you folks even bother having a daily weather report in Hawai`i?” Yes, ignorance rules. I saw fresh snow on Mauna Kea while it poured in Kailua-Kona yet ‘twas tranquil and sunny in Waikoloa. Micro-climates galore rule on all of our islands.
We have so much great diversity here- in people, places, cultures, et al.- that perhaps we take it for granted too often. Living local allows you the opportunity to go on a lifelong quest exploring myriad customs, histories, foodstuffs, flora, fauna, and off-shore treats that can simply amaze. So that’s my resolution for the next year (or 10). Explore more, embrace the unknown, avoid same old, same old-ism; experience things I’ve not yet made a sincere effort or spent the time to explore, eat, play, learn, or meet.
While many consider Hawai`i a relatively “small” place, its contrasts and richness make it huge. There’s simply not much homogeneity here, just look further and wider. The melting pot that is Hawai`i goes way beyond its bouillabaisse population base, if you just give it a try. So seek!
And Merry Christmas!
Think about it…