Hi From HI!

Oahu is home to countless surf legends, beautiful beaches and famous surfbreaks. My Dad, being one of those surf legends, was headed to Hawaii. So naturally, I piggybacked onto this work trip in hopes of some play for myself.

The second you step off the plane, you just know you are in Hawaii. The air, smell, and vibe is impossible to replicate. Our drive to Honolulu was full of staring out the window in awe of the beautiful landscape and giddy excitement for the week ahead. We checked in and I immediately threw on my suit and headed for the sand. The majority of the week was spent in this manner, trying to get a little color while enjoying the vibrant colors Hawaii has to offer.

The weather in Oahu in the midst of February can be pretty unpredictable. The same day that experiences rain and wind could turn into a beautiful bluebird one. To escape the rain, we stayed south in Honolulu but two afternoons, we braved the weather and headed for the North Shore. Stopping all along the coast and doing a full drive of the Island.

If you are a fan of poke, you must go to Kahuku Superette and pick up some Ahi Tuna Poke. If you love shaved ice, stop by Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa or if you want a healthier option, walk across the road to Haleiwa Bowls and keep walking and you might just find the Angel Wing wall where you can take a picture and fulfill all your basic duties. If youre looking for incredible sushi and a fun place to pool hop, keep going North to Turtle Bay Hotel and have dinner on their golf course at Lei Lei’s Bar and Grill – plus you might just see local legend, Kelly Slater, who in my case happens to be another one of my Dad’s friends we ran into (still cool, for the record). Waimea Bay is the place to sit on the beach and watch the waves in awe of their size and power (venture out, if you dare). Shark’s Cove is just North another mile and is an incredible little nook filled with the coolest swimming area and scenery. For a more touristy but equally beautiful experience, head to Hanama bay to snorkel- the reefs seem endless and the fish are plenty. We even got to catch a double rainbow. You can go to Pearl Harbor for a total immersive tour and pay tribute to some of the Island’s history. On the Eastside of the island, stop by Chinaman’s Hat to see a tiny island off the main one or head over to Sandy’s beach to sit in a relaxing spot and enjoy Oahu (softest sand you will ever feel). Keep driving around the corner and park on the side of the road to watch the Halona blowhole at sunset. The colors will blow you away. We kept driving and I couldnt help but feel like I was somewhere between coastin’ on PCH and living out a real life Jurassic Park. Oahu is pure beauty and I recommend seeing every inch of it- I still have a lot more to explore.

With love,

Carly