Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. Here are ten of the best moments I’ve had on this journey this year. The list starts here.
#1: Birthday Surprise 2019 ❤️
I love living in Hawaii. I try to cherish every minute here that I can; however, every minute that I am here, I know my entire family is halfway across the world. I miss my parents, siblings, nephews, niece, extended family, and friends each and every day. I’ve only been here for just under 3 years, which means I’ve missed three birthdays, three Christmas dinners, three New Years Eve parties, and thousands more moments. I love living here, but it has not been easy. I am lucky to live in an age where through the magic of technology, I can see my family and friends regularly. But nothing is quite like the real thing. Which is why my # 1 moment this year was the moment I saw the beautiful faces of my beloved parents here on Oahu. My parents are funny, fun, caring and all-around amazing. They flew out to Oahu for my birthday, and we spent the week doing all the Hawaii things and just being with each other. Living in Hawaii and being on vacation in Hawaii are two very, very different experiences, and I was lucky enough to finally be able to experience what “vacationing” here is like. Of course visiting beaches around the island, sharing good meals, shopping, and celebrating my birthday was amazing enough- but the fact that I got to to hug and kiss them each night that week made this the most perfect memory of 2019. I cannot wait to see them, and the rest of my family, soon enough in 2020.
Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. Here are ten of the best moments I’ve had on this journey this year. The list starts here.
#2. Love Big Island
Listen closely. If you ever find yourself a chance to go to Hawaii island, do it. Do it as soon as you can. The Big Island is the most amazing place on earth. Here is how the best weekend of my life went.
Southwest started flying interisland in 2019, so we were able to get super cheap flights ($25!) to Kona. J and I left Oahu early morning and arrived shortly in Kona, greeted by the clearest, most beautiful water and some large, goofy turtles down by the pier. I’ve loved Hawaii since I first read The Curse of Lono, so I was overjoyed to get a mai tai like good ole’ Mr. Thompson at the Kona Inn. We got to spend the rest of the day swimming, exploring the beautiful little shops and stops in Kona, and swimming some more. Before sunset, we started the 2-hour drive to the east side of the island. The drive was the most amazing drive ever. I loved counting all the small, quaint churches that line the long road from Kona to Hilo. At the highest point on the mountain, it was absolutely freezing. I got to put on a sweatshirt and feel a familiar smack in the face by cold air- it was like I was back in Boston for a moment and thought I was going to freeze to death. (Ah, home.) From that high point, we were so close to the moon, I thought we were literally going to drive into it. Like in the movies. I never have and never will never see anything again like the moon that night. We ended up in Hilo, my most favorite place on earth. This post is supposed to be short and there aren’t enough words to describe my love for this little town, but just some of the highlights of this weekend in Hilo included swimming, turtles, the farmers market, eating nachos at Pinepple’s, black sand beaches, coqui frogs, and waterfalls. Everyone was so kind, and the art, colors, and architecture of the town reminded me of old Puerto Rico. The Big Island stole my heart and I have taken and will continue to take every chance life gives to me to return.
Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. Here are ten of the best moments I’ve had on this journey this year.
#3. The Furbabies
Let me clarify right off the bat here- # 3 on this list in reality deserves it’s own “Top Ten moments of 2019” list dedicated just to them. My furbabies- Luna and Oliver- are pretty much my world. There were two really important milestones this year with my little family here in Hawaii, so I’ve combined them into one (because I can). The first was celebrating my dogdaughter Luna’s 3rd birthday. I adopted Luna a little over two years ago from the Hawaiian Humane Society. She was homeless, underweight, had some missing fur, and a complete sweetheart. To this day, only one of those things is still true about her. So of course I went completely and disgustingly overboard to ensure her 3rd birthday was nothing but special. She got to cuddle with her family and friends, play with dog friends, swim on a beach during sunset in Hawaii, and ate like a queen all day.
A few weeks later, while waiting for a cool day outing (see moment of the year #4) at a local boat harbor, a little black-and-white cat kept following us around. He was small and loud, a little skinny, and missing half an ear, but otherwise healthy and just the cutest. After asking the super nice staff about him, we learned that he had come from a home, was up to date with his shots and was neutered (again by the super nice staff), and if we wanted, could go home with us. And so he did. I named him Oliver because 1) J and I love olives and 2) ironically & luckily, they are literally the only thing Luna will never, ever eat. I’m happy to report that it was pretty much love at first sight between Luna and Oli, and there is more than enough love and room in the home for the both of them. Even though his sister has 60 pounds on him, he’s one tough bub. They love to play together and cuddle and sleep. And I love watching it all happen. As someone once said, “Everyone thinks they have the best dog. And none of them are wrong.” I’d say this applies to cats, too.
Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. Here are ten of the best moments I’ve had on this journey this year. The list starts here.
#4: Being a mermaid at a dolphin excursion(!!!) 😱
Choosing only 10 moments to highlight this year has been so very hard. It was particularly challenging making this experience # 4 because really, it should be tied with # 1, but alas, here we are. I have met some amazing people from all over the world here in paradise. One of them is my awesome friend and neighbor, who is an animal lover and all around cool person. She works at a clean, safe, friendly sea excursion place here on the west side of Oahu. (I have a lot to say about certain “sea life” attractions & general interaction with wild animals here in Hawaii, but that’s for another day.) What’s important to note about this magical experience is first and foremost, it is safe for the passengers and the amazing little creatures involved. She invited J & I to experience the excursion and literally made my dreams of being a mermaid come true. The 3-hour journey started with sailing out & stopping near spinner dolphin pods. We slid quietly into the water, stuck our faces under, and were instantly encountered with hundreds of happy, friendly, borderline flirty little dolphins. I’ll never love anything like the sound of dozens of tiny spinner dolphins playing under the sea. That day, we saw & swam near manta rays, stingrays, thousands of fish, turtles, coral...ah! The whales had just arrived to Hawaii, so we even got the experience of watching three whales showing off their majestic tales. The day ended with an amazing meal at the cafe (and # 3 top moment of 2019). If I had one perfect day in 2019, this was it. Mahalo Dolphins Excursions! (📷 credit: Paulphin photography)
Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. Here are ten of the best moments I’ve had on this journey this year.
#5. Any & every moment spent at Makapu’u
Oahu’s North shore is one of the most popular spots to visit on Oahu (see my # 6 greatest moment this year), but my favorite beaches and places on the island are over on the East coast. Makapu’u Beach, and nearby Makapu’u Point Lighthouse trail are a must-see for anyone in Oahu. (If you’ve visited me here in Hawaii, we probably made this drive and went to this beach as soon as possible.) Here are 5 reasons this is my # 5: First of all, the drive out there is an adventure itself. You haven’t lived until you’ve driven (fast) around the curve of the mountain thousands of feet over the ocean. It’s terrifying and beautiful. Secondly, the hike to the lighthouse is super mild and easy. Third reason- the views from the hike and beach are picturesque. Just stunning. On a good day you can see whales and/or Maui island! The beach itself is great, too- the waves are always big enough (but not too big) to swim and it’s super dog-friendly. Finally, there are amazing tidepools you can climb down into (if you are brave and have enough energy to get back up!) One highlight this year in Makapu’u was having two newlywed friends from home visit and seeing them enjoy this special place as much as I do. 🌴
Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. Here are ten of the best moments I’ve had on this journey this year.
#6: North shore adventures
Oahu’s North Shore is one of the most famous spots in Hawaii (and the world) and for good reason. It’s nothing like being “in town” in Waikiki or the heart of Honolulu. The hour-plus drive is a nice escape from the crowded, busy, crazy, dirty streets I call home. The North shore embodies what you may envision living in Hawaii is like- quaint beaches, little shops, pretty farms, lots of kind, local people. There is so much to eat, shop, and explore on any day, but my most memorable drive up in 2019 was on a coldish, rainy day in early 2019. After hearing local news reports of closed beaches due to impending storms. we gave into curiosity and headed up to the North shore to check out the killer waves and witness some of the world’s most talented surfers in the world who try to ride them. I haven’t attended an official surf competition here just yet, but seeing the brave athletes battle the 30+ footers while we watched safely from the sand (while picnicking on famous North shore garlic shrimp plates of course) was pretty amazing. The former teacher in me must point out that while the waves were quite a sight to see, this was one beach trip where we stayed far, far away from the ocean. When in Hawaii, or anywhere, safety should always #1 priority. Sometimes it’s more rewarding to watch the water than be in it. 🌊
Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. Here are ten of the best moments I’ve had on this journey this year.
7. Damian Marley & the Mayjah Rayjah 🇯🇲
As you can tell, this top-ten lists features a lot of music-related events because...well, I truly just love music. Good, bad, live, loud- nothing quite pleases my heart and ears like a good jam. Damian Marley was especially thrilling to hear here in Hawaii. The reggae hero headlined the Mayjah Rayjah music festival, and I was lucky enough to score tickets to the Oahu show. The festival is all-day, outdoors, loud, energetic, and completely chill. Basically it was heaven. All the bands were great. Damian Marley in particular is an amazing poet and artist and his shows are always heart-stopping. His energy and passion -particularly during the Mauna Kea protests which he so avidly supported- made this night secure a spot in the top 10 moments of 2019.
Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. Here are ten of the best moments I’ve had on this journey this year.
If you haven’t yet, check out #10 and #9. 
#8. Karaoke outings
Karaoke is sometimes so not my thing. And sometimes it so is. Karaoke in Hawaii is another level of fun. Rather than waiting in a long line (of strangers) to sing awkwardly (in front of strangers), karaoke outings here are way more personal and fun. Karaoke rooms for rent are pretty much everywhere, but are particularly popular here in Honolulu. I’ve been blessed enough to be invited to a few karaoke outings by dear friends & work colleagues, and each time is more fun than the last. Of all the memories I’ve made here, these nights of drinks, food, and singing are definitely one of the highlights. There is no better surprise than hearing the unexpected song your quietest friend busts out behind closed doors. So far my favorite joints have been Karaoke Hut and HMC Karaoke. 🎤🎼🥰
Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. Here are ten of the best moments I’ve had on this journey this year.
Start the list here.
#9: Eminem at Aloha Stadium
The 2000s were great, and Hawaii loves to celebrate the decade to this day. Fashion, subculture, and music trends from the 2000s live strong in the aloha state. I’ve been lucky enough to see some amazing bands/shows since I’ve been here, and in February 2019, my teenage dream came true when Eminem came to town. The show was held at Aloha Stadium, which is a large, old stadium with some areas borderline falling apart. It’s wonderful. The staff and energy of the show was filled with aloha. The beer wasn’t outrageously expensive like most big shows, and we got to change our seats to get closer to the stage as the night went on. It completely poured almost the whole night, which added to the magic energy of the show. 🎧🌙🌨🎤
Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans. Here are ten of the best moments I’ve had on this journey this year.
2019 was a hell of a year. In the best way possible. I’ve been in Hawaii now for about 2.5 years and am reaching that stage in the moving- across-the-world process where I am finally enjoying life here instead of worrying all the time. (Of course there has been a lot of help and support along the way for that.) Here are just ten of the best memories I’ve made this year. If these highlights are any indication of 2020, I am so ready & looking forward to another wild next chapter.
10. Helicopter ride over Waikiki
There is nothing quite like viewing your home - let alone alone your urban/tropical home- from thousands of miles in the air. For J’s birthday, we took a 15-minute ride over Waikiki & outer Honolulu. (We got the deal off Groupon which was 1. Cheap and 2. Completely enough time to be that high in the air.) It was a thrilling & beautiful & terrifying few minutes (and during a Pats game nonetheless) and definitely one of the best moments of the year (and life!)
PS- We took the Novictor tour, which was awesome. Be cautious, though, if you’re into this kind of stuff. Do your homework before you book a flight;there have been way too many helicopter-related accidents here lately!
In yourself right now is all the place you’ve got. - Flannery O’Connor
July 2005
From far away, the noises scared me a little, but my father reassured me I shouldn’t be afraid. In fact, he said I would love it.
We walked through a large crowd of people, closer to the thunderous sound, my arm entwined with my mother’s. As we walked, the popping sound became increasingly louder, and within a few steps, I could begin to see evidence of the supposed harmlessness in the sky. The fireworks exploding above were the biggest and brightest I’ve ever seen, and the closer we were towards the sea, the bigger and brighter and more beautiful they became.
The explosions of dancing lights continued to boom for 15 minutes. Each Friday evening, the Hawaiian Village Hotel hosts a firework show for a few short, exciting minutes, but on holidays, the city of Honolulu hires an elite private company to launch the rockets from Magic Island. This holiday display is a little more grander, elaborate, and certainly longer.
I wanted to get closer to them, closer to the water, so I let my parents know I’d be back shortly and walked towards the rock wall. From where I stopped, forty feet up or so, the rocks got steeper and wetter, the sea darker. From here, the sound of the sea collided with the fireworks above. I sat on the rock, swapping my gaze between the fireworks above and crashing ocean below. It was a beautiful 4th of July, and it was pretty crazy and amazing that I was out here in Hawaii. It was 2005, the year after my best friend moved from my home, Boston, out here to Honolulu. It was also a notable anniversary for my parents, and so, due to years of saving and planning, I realized my fear of never seeing my friend again was false, and the three of us journeyed out for ten days in paradise.
This fourth of July display was one of the final moments of our trip, and tomorrow we’d return back home all the way to Boston. It hit me then that we were really leaving and I wondered if I’d ever be back to this place, if Hawaii was really the “once-in-a-lifetime adventure” the brochures keep saying.
A few moments passed, and my parents nervously joined me near the rock wall. We watched together as the fireworks danced on, building into a multi-color, symphonic grand finale that seemed as though it up the entire Pacific. When it was over, my curiosity of visiting again quickly turned to stress about the daunting, 27-hour trip home.
When we got to the street, I turned back to look at that dark, roaring sea one last time. It was then that I realized that I was neither excited at the possibility of returning to Hawaii, nor upset if I never got to return. Staring at the ocean, I felt it in my head first, and then my heart: the feeling of absolute indifference of visiting, Hawaii, seeing paradise again.
July 2017
The 4th of July fireworks in Boston were alright this year. Lately, of course, everything in Boston has felt just alright. I guess it was because I was moving to Hawaii in less than 24 hours. The closer it became time for my departure flight, the less glamorous and the more colorless my beloved city appeared.
Of course, this was my mind trying to calm the deep, utter, sickening anxiety within me. It still wasn’t real, that for a while, this was the last time I’d see the fourth of July fireworks from crowded Memorial Drive. In a few, countable hours, I was slated to board a one-way flight, alone, head over 5,000 miles away, alone, and start a new life there, alone. I’d cross the entire country, alone, then the sea. I’d be alone, making my way to a tiny, unfamiliar apartment, tucked behind a massive dormant volcano, packed here with the other 1+ million people crowding Oahu. Buried in one of the most crowded cities in the country, I’d still be alone. I was a little excited to see Hawaii- I hadn’t been since a trip in 2005- but mostly, I was racking my brain with how to get out of it now.
I didn’t have long to detract my life-changing decision to take a job halfway across the earth. Before long, it was time to leave for the airport. I could barely breathe as I hugged my mom, my sisters, my mother again, then of course, my father. My parents drove me to the airport, and a teary, teary 15-minute drive felt like a 15-second one, and suddenly, it was time to go. I got more hugs, and then more, and I walked into the gate, knowing my life was changing forever.
Since this day a few years ago, I have learned that like any holiday, traveling directly the day after 4th of July was a poor, poor decision. Although I was 2.5 hours early for my flight, the lines and lines and lines of eager passengers leaving Boston stretched halfway across Logan airport. It didn’t take long for me to realize I was most definitely going to miss my flight. And I was right. Hours later, I approached the gate counter, teary and wearily, and begged for help rebooking a flight out to Hawaii. Thankfully, I was able to secure a seat out the next morning. So, luggage in tow, I started the trek to my family’s house, and greeted them at the door. We laugh-cried that after such an emotional goodbye, I was right back home, but nonetheless, we enjoyed the extra 12 hours together, savoring every minute before I took off once again for my next chapter.
The following day, we headed to the airport four hours early. This drive, too was too short and sweet. My dad asked if how much I remembered of Hawaii back in 2005. He asked if I remembered the poke and white rice, the cockroaches, the sunsets. He recalled how kind the people were. He tried his best to speak a couple words in Hawaiian pidgin. He reminded me that he was still proud of a story I had written and published in Chicken Soup for the Soul book series about him, and about our trip to Hawaii, over a decade earlier.
We approached the airport for the second and final time, and as we stopped the car, I finally unveiled a hidden truth to my father. I didn’t want to leave. I had regretted the decision I made weeks prior to accept a job all the way on Oahu. Even though I complained about Boston, and wanted to take this chance, I wasn’t ready to leave. I couldn’t do it. He didn’t say much at first. He just sat and listened. But then, for every fear I let spill to him, he had a reasonable solution he kindly shared with me. He reminded me, both subtlety and blatantly, over and over again, that I was doing the right thing. I had made the right choice. Things would be okay.
We arrived to the Departures and it was time once again to say my final goodbye. My father held me close, hugging me only the way a father could hug his youngest child about to move halfway across the world. He looked at me and and spoke familiar words, ones I’d replay over and over again in my head throughout my 25-hour journey back to Hawaii and pretty much every day since I left. The same exact words he had shared with me 12 years prior while heading towards the fireworks. Don’t be afraid. You will love it.
***
Check out this live video of firework display: https://vimeo.com/364590850
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