Top ten things to do on Oahu

Top Ten Things to see in Oahu.  

Not your run of the mill list with the usual sights, but heck, there are plenty of those.

10: Local breakfast at McDonalds. 

 Spam and rice and eggs.  Just kidding.  No really.  

9: Dog the Bounty Hunter retail store.  

A small shrine to ego run amok.  Grab breakfast at the cafe next door.  Overpriced but not a single photo of a reality show star in the place--the cafe, that is...

8: Flea market at Aloha Stadium.  

Purchase cheap t shirts for the blood sucking leeches back home. Seven for $20.  Plenty of key chains, too. Oh and cheap luggage to fill with souveneers that you simply must have.   Just a dollar to get in.  

7:Free Friday Fireworks show in Waikiki.

 Happens at 8 pm or so.  Great for people watching as the masses make their way to the show...it's like two shows for the price of one...but it's free.  

6: Elvis statue at the Neil Blaisdell center.

 Just off ward ave between the arena and the convention space.  Not as photogenic as The other King statue, but more fun.  Elvis never killed anyone for getting in his shadow,so bonus points there, unless you're into that sort of thing, which would be creepy.  

5: Tuna Rolls at 7-11. 

 What?  Yep, the tuna rolls at that icon of Big Bite hot dogs with free chili sauce are amazing.  Not so much for the taste, instead for the nifty roll-your-own packaging that keeps the seaweed separated until the very last moment--to maintain a crunchy fresh sort of experience in your mouth-- even though it was made the day before in some mysterious factory somewhere.  Crunchy. Ricey. Seaweedlishious!

4:Japanese Tourists. 

 Fashion forward.  Always polite.  And the language barrier keeps you on your toes.   Great people watching.  Extra points for cos-play wonderfulness!

3: Paradise Cove Luau.  

They say Las Vegas is the ninth island of Hawaii and there is simply no better evidence of this than the Paradise Cove Luau show.  It is Las Vegas in grass skirt and shows more skin than the show at the Polynesian Cultural Center...oh and they serve alcohol.    Just kidding...do you think I'd include a Luau?   Number 3 actually goes to the

Shrine to Spam selection at Walmart.  

In fact the Hawaiian Aisles (pun intended) at Walmart are filled with all sorts of stuff from China...just like the Walmart back home.    Be sure to check out Macadamia Nut Land at Walmart, too.  

2:  The streets of Honolulu. 

 Now granted you could pay money and go to the world's largest maze at the  Dole Plantation, but when the mystery of urban street planning in Honolulu is so close at hand, why bother?   When you can see tourists, maps in hand, trying to decipher where they are and where they want to be,it is living proof that city planning can be both entertaining and fun!    Rumor has it years ago, before animal rights became a concern, the city planners put down a large mat made from palm fronds in the shape of the island in one of those extinct volcano things.  They then dipped a couple dozen Mongoose into different colored paint and set them loose.  The resulting chaos was then used as a reference to build actual highways.  Yes, I'm making this up!

1: The beach.  

Just pick it.  Heck, blindfold yourself, spin around a few times and throw a flip flop up in the air and travel in the direction the toe points toward.  You will find a fantastic beach.  I am not kidding about this.   They will not have a beach like it in Modesto or New Mexico or Texas.   The worst beach here is a million times better than the best beach in Chicago.

So, there you have it!   I'll be making more Top Ten Lists with things to do in Hawaii.  Until then, Mahalo.

Where have I been? Putting together lots of stuff. Check out a music video I helped with. it's at Dmanti.com it's called "Lets Just Dance" Top 5 on the billboard dance/club chart.

Evening view. Just one of the things to do in Oahu.

Evening view.  just one of the things to do in Oahu.  

Ocean Kayaking on the other side of the island

So, today turned out to be a great adventure!   I met two lovely people from San Francisco via India, here on vacation.    He kinda sorta could swim.   She couldn't at all.   But to show what sort of folks they were, they were on an Ocean Kayaking adventure.  That takes all sorts of brave and they have my total admiration.  
I taught her how to float on her back (wearing a life jacket).   And showed them both how to scull the water with their hands so they could control where they went.   I have never seen too more completely happy people.  They were in heaven.   Mind you, all of this floating took place above a sandbar located about half a mile off the coast.    

Mahalo,
Chet

The beach from "From Here To Eternity"

You know the famous scene with the longest on-screen kiss with the couple rolling about in the surf?   Well, OK, it's from an ancient black and white film.  I 'm sure you could find longer kisses on video on the Internet, but this is rated PG-13.   So, anyhow, it's an old movie, but the stars were good and the acting relied on story and dialog and not just special effects.  Yes, the waves crashing on the shore are real.   The sand in the bathing suits is real.   And if you know where it is, you too can roll about in the sand kissing that special someone.  Heck, it might even be a YouTube hit.    But enough of this blather....

The thing is, the "From Here To Eternity" beach is called "cockroach beach" by the locals.  It is a wild place to swim.  The currents are strong and the waves pound against the rocks just outside the cove, sending tons of water ricocheting from one direction to another and finally onto the small beach.
Where is this crazy place?   From Waikiki, take the Beach Bus (22) to Sandy Beach, one of the most dangerous beaches in its own right, and hike back up the road to the blowhole lookout.   After you watch the blow hole do its thing, go to the side of the parking lot towards Waikiki and look over the guard rail.   If you want to go down to the Beach, just go to the edge of the parking lot entrance near the guard rail.   Scramble down the rocks and there you are.

Warning: this beach has no lifeguard.  You are on your own here.  Beware of sharp rocks that will cut you.  Beware of cuts because they will get infected.   Beware of strong currents that can suck you out to sea.   Other than that, have fun.   Oh, and be sure to take your trash with you as there are no trash cans.

Mahalo,

Chet

Things to bring:
Sunscreen
Bathing suit
Towel

Shower after your swim down the road at Sandy Beach.  (That's also where the nearest bathrooms are).

Finally, it's Friday.
Should I:

1. Go camping and watch the waves wash against sand?

2. Go on a quest to get some good snorkeling photos?

3.Go on a quest to get good footage of turtles basking in the sun?

4. Climb up KoKo head to take photos using the kite cam?

Of course, I could just sort of do whatever.
What do you think?

Camping on Oahu Having Fun With LED flashlight

Long exposures times plus LED Flashlight=Fun Photos

So, the sun is down, the moon is out and it's time to just have some fun.  So, I take some photos without flash, just using a small LED flashlight and a long exposure.  Of course, people thought I was a bit nuts.  But before long, they seemed to get in on the fun.

Me holding flashlight behind two dancing beachgoers

My sexy knees just to the right of perplexed gal

People will do most anything if you ask them! 

And here is a shot taken at night.  Funny how the camera sees the sky as blue at night while our eyes reduce the color bandwidth to shades of grey.  Oh, heck, this is getting boring.

Moonlight photo time exposure on Oahu

Too Small Tent...Too Much Fun! 

Anyhow the tent worked out pretty well.  If by well means there was only room to lay down.  Sitting down was not an option, nor was standing.  It is a one person tent and I guess they think that one person would only want to lay down.  So, when the rain starting pouring down, there was no sitting up.
It is almost sardine time inside.   On the positive side, the thing is light and dry.  On the downside, most of your gear has to live outside, where it's not so light or dry.    So, I might pick up a two man tent and give this one to a homeless person as a cruel, cruel act of kindness.   Of course, in Hawaii, many of the homeless seem to be relocated haloes in their 50's.  Which brings up....

When I've got my backpack on and ready to go camping, I look like a homeless person.   Which brings up the question "is camping sort of like pretending your homeless for a weekend?"   Minus the digging through dumpsters part.   Maybe.

On to even more pressing concerns....

Slave to Phone Batteries 

Mind you I was faced with an issue common around the globe.  My cell phone battery died.  It was almost tragic.  I had to limit my calls to conserve the battery and surfing the web was out of the question.  Which was kind of sucky, considering I was laying down in my sardine can of a tent as the rain fell down and the 50 steps to the main tent in the camp seemed a bit far considering the deluge.  At least the homeless are smart enough to go to the library for free high speed internet.  Me, not so much.  But hey, I was camping...


Mahalo,
Chet 

Inside my tent

Only room for camera bag and myself.  subtle orange color makes everything, including my toes, have a jandiced sort of glow. 

Sunrise from my tent

Waking up after a rainy night.   tiny tent huge sky.  posting from my phone.  

Going camping this weekend!

Here in Hawaii folks talk about that feeling of family.  Well, this weekend my circle of friends and family will expand.  I'm going camping with some friends.  
Now compared to winter mountaineering, this should be fantastic.  The weather is fantastic, the water warm...for sure have traded snowshoes for swim fins.  
So, I'm getting my camping gear together...which isn't much these days.  One person tent, ultra light sleeping bag, backpack stove and mess kit.  Oh, and my trusty I pad so I can fall asleep using an app that simulates authentic pine forest sound effects--wait, I'll be on a beach with real crashing waves for sound effects!   Hot diggity!

On a sad note, I heard today that James Gandilfini passed away.  I had the privilege of working with him after the Sopranos.  At the time, he was getting a deal together for a Hemingway project and was really a nice guy.   He was devoted to the craft.

On a brighter note...
This is probably a strange thing to bring up-- this being Hawaii and all.  Now there are times where you want the option of jumping in the ocean at a moment's notice,but you don't want to wear a bathing suit around town. So, instead of cotton shorts which stay wet for hours, even in the tropical sun I'd wear some microfiber shorts. So the shorts would dry pretty fast, but the cotton underwear would remain soggy for considerably longer.  My tropical crotch was, well, humid.   Well, miracles of miracles I discovered microfiber der wear.  There ya have it.   Of course, this will take some testing, but I think it might work.

Mahalo,
Chet

Sugar Processing Plant Ruins and Chinaman's Hat Island

In my recent island adventures I came across the very first sugar processing plant on Oahu.  It's a very cool ruins located right off the road.   Also took a photo of Chinaman's hat on the same adventure.

This side of the island is a bit cloudy in the afternoon.  My next quest will be to take some photos with mixed shadow and sunlight.  It's just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.  

Mahalo
Chet

Shrimp Stand!

Today I visited one of the Shrimp Stands on the windward side of the island called ROMY'S.   The price was $20 bucks for the combo which included 

 shrimp, rice, small salad, piece of corn on the cob and a small soda.   It was good and like all meals, good conversation added spice and the friendly folks made it that much nicer.  The cool thing is they raise the prawns in the ponds behind the stand, so they're very fresh...although slightly bland unless doused with garlic butter.   If your diet doesn't include shrimp, they  also serve fried Sunfish--whatever a SunFish is...other than a bit bony (but then again if I was so picky about bones I could have had Chicken Nuggets at the McDonald's next to the Polynesian Cultural Center).  

Besides napkins, the covered seating area to the right has a sink with soap to wash your hands before and after eating.     You can check out their website at www.romyskahukuprawn.org

Mahalo, 

Chet

Waterfall Hike

So, imagine you see a cemetery and decide to walk past the graves, past the yard where the equipment is kept...uncovering a thin path through tall grass...into the forest, alongside a stream, and finally coming upon a deep pond filled by a waterfall.   If you didn't know it was there, you'd never find it.  

Obviously, some folks know it's there.   Which got me thinking about stuff that I have to think more about.  But on the stuff I'm certain about...the people of Hawaii are some of the nicest.  I hope I return the favor everyday while I'm here.  

Mahalo, 

KITE KAM working out the bugs

I've been perfecting the whole kite kam thing.  What do you do when you want to have a different view of things but can't afford a helicopter or giant crane.   Well, with the trade winds in Hawaii, I figured a kite might do the trick.   So, with that in mind I've attached a small camera to a kite in an attempt to get a nifty shot.

Quite honestly, with my current set up, the kite moves too much for a motion picture, so for the time being, I'm limited to stills.  I'm working on some ideas to correct that situation.  

What I like about the kite method.
1. It is fun.
2. You can get some neat shots.
3. It is cheap compared to other aerial camera platforms.   Heck, $40 for the kite.  Add some clothes hanger wire and a gopro.   Well, maybe with the gopro it isn't so cheap....but you can probably pick up an older one on craigslist.  

Here is the first useable photo that I can live with showing.   The movies would leave you nauseous.





Mahalo

KOKO HEAD CLIMB

Yesterday I had the adventure of climbing to the top of the KoKo Head crater.  It was an interesting trek up some 1200 or so steps...errrr railroad ties from a track laid during WWII to supply a radar station high atop the crater.  Now train tracks is only relevant in name because this train was pulled up the hill using a winch and a steel cable.   The winch and steel cable are gone, leaving only the iron rails and the railroad ties.   It takes about an hour to climb for the average person.  So, it took me an hour and a half. At this stage of my life, I like to sit, catch my breath, reflect upon the silly notion that this was a good idea and such.   The good news is that I made it to the top, intact.
The best thing was the view.  Amazing.   It was worth the climb, even with aching thighs the next day.

So, if you're going to go for this climb, a few thoughts.

1. Lots of stairs.  Not the even type either these are varying height and width so climbing each is a mini challenge.
2. Take the bypass around the bridge section.  You'll have to scramble on some rocks, but it's better than falling through the gaps in the ties.
3. Water.  Bring a good sized bottle.  If it's a hot day, bring a couple.
4. Shoes.   Leave your slippers at home.  You'll need something with tread.  Going up not so much...coming back down is another story.
5. Time.  This shouldn't be a race.  There are too many ways to hurry and get hurt.  And if you're on top of this, the only way back down with a broken leg is via very expensive helicopter.
6. Stop and enjoy the view on the way up and down.  I stopped at each power pole.  It set a series of goals that made getting to the top easier.
7. Bring a camera or a camera phone.  The views are pretty nifty.
8. Have fun.  Stop and say hello to folks going up when you're coming down.  Offer a bit of encouragement.   If you see that someone is low on water, offer some (another reason to bring two bottles).

Would I do it again?  Yep.

Mahalo

The other day I decided to take a walk on Tantalus drive.  I was taking photos for a brochure of a road that went through a tropical rainforest.    So, I put a bottle of water in my day pack, along with a poncho and camera stuff and set out.  It was a ten mile walk, which was do-able in a day.  

So, I hopped on the bus which took me to the border of the residential part of the drive to the outskirts and started the trek.  

Here are some photos.  
I missed a couple shots of kids on longboard skateboards screaming down the road.  It looked awesome fun.     And to prove what a small island this is... when I went to the Bike Factory store on Cooke street, one of the kids working there recognized me from my walk.  He was one of the kids on the skateboards who waved as they sped by in a blur.  I was there to get some stuff for a camera I want to attach to a kite and honestly looked at their skateboard selection with wistful eyes.  

Yesterday, I went snorkeling with some dolphins and then filmed some folks from Mexican soap operas surfing in Wakiki.  I'll post some video as soon as the computer finishes doing some of its mumbo jumbo magic.     Oh, and I bought some ingredients to make some chocolate chip cookies from scratch.  

Besides baking a batch of cookies this weekend.  I'm thinking of just going to the beach and filming waves crashing against rocks.  I'm thinking it would be nifty to just put them on the flat screen in your living room and pretend it's a big window.  Heck, put curtains on either side or even open venetian blinds in front of the screen to make it more windowy.   No, windowy isn't a word.   This would give me an excuse to sit on the beach for a few hours and just enjoy the moment.

Thanks for checking in.  Hope life is wonderful in your neck of the woods.

Chet

Wiamea Beach Jump

This past Saturday I decided to go to the North Shore.   And if I had a car that would be no big deal.  Jump in, drive a few miles, find parking and viola!   But I don't.  So I did the next best thing...I took "The Bus".     Let me just say that "The Bus" restores one's faith in humanity and public transportation.   It is, without a doubt, one of the best deals on the island of Oahu.  But I digress.....

The reason for going to the North Shore was to take some photos of people jumping off a rock into the sea.   Which could be fun and exciting or really really dangerous.  And honestly, this isn't about flinging oneself into the air and crashing into the surf below...nope it's about people.  

You see, I climbed to the top of the rock, camera gear in tow, to get a shot from the top looking down as the diver dove off the rock.   This is when I noticed a young college aged kid, who had had more than a few beers ready himself to jump off.   He wasn't a local kid as evidenced by his freshly sunburned skin and shock of red hair.  The locals knew that trying to persuade him that jumping might not be the best choice, wasn't the best option.  Heck, he'd probably kill himself trying to climb off the rock.   So, instead they showed him the safest place to jump from...and more importantly many of them jumped in the water and formed a ring of safety for the guy to jump into.  So, the kid jumped and the kids in the water down below made sure he made it to the surface and then...stayed with him until he made it safe to shore.   They didn't know him.  They'd only just met him.  In an instant all the talk about everyone being related in Hawaii wasn't just a marketing slogan.  It was real.  Which is pretty cool.  So, I'd like to say thanks to those kids.   What you did was awesome.  

Cultural Shock...sort of

Aloha from Hawaii.  Well, there, I said it.  Aloha. 
Before moving here some three months ago all I knew about Hawaii was shaped by watching TV in my youth and seeing trips to Hawaii given away on TV game shows to desperate housewives and their overweight mates.   They would have a chance to win what was behind door number three and the game show gal (who had perfected what I adoringly call the "refrigerator flourish") would be dressed up in either a bikini, sarong, or hula outfit.  The soundtrack, besides the ooooohs and aaaaahs of the audience would always feature island mood slide guitar music.   So, I was somewhat amused to realize upon arriving in Hawaii that is was all true...and that Hawaii was caught in sort of a cultural timewarp (coming from California, the birthplace of trends of the week, this took me by surprise). 

So, what is this blog going to be about?   Well, who knows.  I will attempt to make it somewhat amusing (at least to myself), informative, and worth at least a passing glance.  So here goes: