Celebrating Like it's Our 40th in O'ahu

It's been 17 years since we've been to Hawaii. Our 39th anniversary is this month, so we decided to go back to celebrate. 

It seems like a big trip like this should be saved for a 40th anniversary, doesn't it? Well, let me tell you why it shouldn't.

While sitting on the deck of our North Shore accommodations and enjoying my morning coffee, a beautiful rainbow appeared. 

It felt like a smile from my mother, and suddenly their 40th anniversary party came to mind. You never want to start your first day of vacation crying, but I couldn't help it.

My mom wanted so badly to go to Hawaii to commemorate that big milestone, but she was in a fight for her life with stage 4 cancer. So instead, we brought Hawaii to her. 

Sadly, she never got to see a 41st anniversary. Life is too short; so I say go now. Although...life is also hard; and so going where we want to go is not always possible. 

But if you can make it happen, don't wait. Don't hesitate, don't make excuses, and don't feel guilty. That's what I'm trying to tell myself, anyway. 

Beauty and pain...that's the deal while we are here. I say drink in the beauty whenever you can. Happy "glad to still be here" trails. Our week's itinerary is below for anyone planning a trip and looking for ideas. Aloha!! (Also some short video clips are on YouTube)

Day One) Got in late to our hostel on the North Shore. I kinda wanted to keep this place a secret so it doesn't get too popular (as if I have some huge audience) but I doubt many people will be very into it. Sharing a bathroom is not everyone's cup of tea. We were fine with it for the price and great location.

Not exactly luxury 

Day Two) It's a half hour to the farthest point west you can drive, and then you can walk about 3 miles of the trail there to the actual furthest spot at Ka'ena Point. It was a cooler day, which you want to choose because it's surprising how hot you'll get hiking even on flat ground with a nice ocean breeze. We saw whales spouting in the distance, a monk seal taking a bath, and tons of albatross nesting! (Which only happens in March - how lucky were we?) 

The toppled lighthouse has been decorated

Day Three) Snorkel day!! Three Tables Beach is literally across the street, so we went first thing while the tide was favorable and the swells low. (March is not ideal here, unless you're a surfer.) Then it's walking distance to Shark's Cove which is an amazing spot with large tide pools that are easy and safe to snorkel with tons of fish. If you keep making your way east you'll come to the more open cove and this is where we came across the two sea turtles. We swam with them for a solid 10 minutes. One of the most magical moments of my life. Then we drove further east to the Turtle Bay Resort where you can just walk on through their pool area and order at their bar even as a non guest. Great service and beautiful seating looking out on the ocean. We still had time before sunset so we drove to the apropos Sunset Beach - it didn't disappoint. 

Day Four) Check out is at 10 am without exception (and 3 nights is their minimum btw) but that worked out for us because low tide at the Mermaid Cave was at 11 am and it was an hour drive. During my internet searches while planning I came across this "secret place" (ha ha) which was made famous by IG posts and is somewhat notorious because people don't check the tides and have gotten themselves in trouble. (Or killed, as the many memorials there attest to.) Normally it's not something I'd be into, but it was close to where we were camping, and like I said, the timing was too perfect. 

Then it was a trip to Walmart (my favorite thing to do on vacation - ugh) to pick up some camping supplies and because we had time to kill we went to Ko Olina Lagoon 4 which is part of the Disney Resort.

Our one rain shower was thankfully short lived

 

Again, all are welcome, even non guests (Hawaiians are so generous!) but what I didn't realize is that we were supposed to check into our private campground before 4 pm. (oops!) When we got to Camp Palehua not a soul was there! It all worked out, but it was a strange experience. But cool too -- and what a view!!  

Only a chicken to welcome us ;)

Day Five) We packed up and drove to the other side of the island to pick up our kayak at Active Oahu Tours. Micheal was amazing and gave us lots of tips and helped us get the kayak on top of the car. He showed us on a map where we were supposed to launch, but also pointed out that Lanikai Beach would cut our paddle distance in half if we could find a parking spot there.(Not easy, but we did it.) Thank God because holy cow it was windy and that was a bumpy and exhausting one mile ride! Low and behold, March is not ideal here either. Though the plus side was we had Moku Nui Island all to ourselves! Well, except for the THREE monk seals laying on the beach (including a pup)...the magic just kept coming. 

Zoom in to see seals behind us

After returning the kayak, we drove a hour north to the Malaekahana Beach Campground where I had gotten a site online. This is a very economical way to visit Oahu, and they are not difficult to reserve.You do need the kind of gear you can fit into a suitcase, but that's already taken care of if you are a backpacker like me. I will warn you that the wind on this side of the island never stops this time of year, which will wear on you. I don't think we could have taken it for more than one night...oh and there are no hot showers. But there will be roosters to wake you up in time for the sunrise, which I promise you don't want to miss. 

 

They are ON THE JOB ;)

Day 6) I really wanted to do another hike, and the Kahekili Trail was right on our way back to Honolulu. This is another place famous for people dying, but as long as you are not planning on doing the thru hike up on the ridge and back down to Crouching Lion, it's pretty safe. I only had to go up about a mile for these views. 

Then it was to Waikiki Beach to soak in some non-windy sun. We were clueless where to park, but got a tip that the International Market is easy peasy and reasonably priced, which it was. Our room at Aston at the Executive Centre was a huge upgrade from our other nights and a great way to end our trip. (HOT SHOWER BABY!)

Day 7) Nothing much to note, except that the international airport in Honolulu is the most beautiful I've even been to. Take time to visit the gardens if you can.