Every beautiful place has an underbelly, and Oahu is no different. If you follow the H1 highway westward until it dwindles to a two-lane road, you’ll encounter a few miles of shacks, clothing lines, rusting cars, dilapidated tents and random shoddy items that have seen better days. This is the west end of Oahu island. There are (by some estimates) about 3,000 native Hawaiians who comprise the working poor of Oahu’s west end. I heard Read more…
This morning we visited Hawaii’s daily fish auction at pier 38 — the only “display auction” in the country — and learned how auctioneers price their fish to the restaurants all over Oahu and on the mainland as well. In case you’re like me and know very little about the transaction from sea to seafood entree, this is the meeting place where fishermen meet restaurant owners and chefs. Every morning starting at 5 am, fishers Read more…
We went swimming with a sea turtle today. Just a few yards from shore on Lanikai Beach in Oahu, we came across a solo turtle floating along coral corridors. With a big shell that was about three feet long from head to tail, and delicately shaped fins perfect for cruising with the current, this lady turtle introduced herself with her dark and alert eyes. The amazing thing about this sea turtle is actually not the Read more…
A white parrot on the shoulder of a beautifully tattooed woman greeted me earlier today. As I left, the parrot eyed me (so did the woman), and I just said hello — half expecting either the parrot or the woman to respond, but neither did. My parrot encounter happened as I was leaving the restroom of Morning Brew, a charming, local cafe in Kaihlua (www.morningbrewhawaii.com). I have set up my Hawaii office here over the Read more…
Earlier today I was reminded of the value of Haviland china by my mother, who could be a china and crystal connoisseur in her next life. Le Mouge, or Le Voge, or something, is also quiet nice — I’m told by you know who :). Mom and I spent the afternoon sorting through jungles of china and crystal that she’s collected over ages, and that I’ve subsequently collected from her. One lineage of china we Read more…
In four days, we saw more than 10 apartments and realized we need over 1000 square feet, an outdoor space, parking options, and preferably a little storage available at the ready. Shouldn’t be too difficult to find in one of the country’s most expensive cities, right? I’m a perpetual optimist in this regard, I truly believe our new home IS out there, even if through multiple Craigslist entries, calls, and bizarre landlords we did not Read more…