HANG LOOSE - HAWAII

As long as I can remember coming to Hawaii has always been a dream for me.

As a kid I always saw this place as the perfect holiday destination. Since then my idea of idyllic havens to voyage to have changed and adapted with my growing knowledge of the world. But Hawaii still holds it's place in my mind as the island wonderland I've always adored. 

 It's the island life, the pacific polynesian flair, the world renowned beaches dotting it's shores and picturesque film location looming mountains standing in the background that sets this place up as my kind of playground. A place of adventure and all with the creature comforts of strong high speed WiFi, both MasterCard and Visa being commonly accepted and a place where toilet paper in public toilets is the norm. Conveniences not always experienced when travelling to such remote places of the world.

After a few days in ever popular Waikiki, I've made my way to the windward side of Oahu to the quieter locality of Kailua, to spend the rest of my days away from the tourist trap hustle and bustle. Who better to show me the meaning of aloha than the people who defined it.

As imagined the Hawaiian people and their lives differ slightly from their mainland counterparts. 

The people of the islands live like one with the ocean as it laps onto their doorsteps, beach culture is life here. Coming and going to the beach like the tide, their Jeeps and trucks roll the streets with surfboards hanging out the backside. 

Living with a raw honesty of what it means to live on the islands, amongst the elements of the Pacific Ocean, with the wind, sand, sun, critters and insects. There is a lack of pretension, Kailua is still only building it's very first Target. Here a four storey building is considered three storeys too high and the banging nightclub is the beachside BBQ that clocks out by ten 'cause the car park is closing.

Casual is chic here, brands like Hurley and Billabong earn more power than Chanel or Prada, where Hawaiian shirts are never out of style, and practical footwear is all part of the islands swagger. 

For the most part getting things done is by appointment or booking. Unless they need to be there, Hawaiians aren't going to be there and if it's a slow day lets knock off early. Working and playing go hand in hand here as a part of life. For Kailua a happy successful life is one where you pay the bills but have time to surf and enjoy your life as you want on your own watch, it's a true work life balance. 

There is something about the islands of Hawaii that the world finds enchanting. A breath taking, isolated land amidst the vastness of the ocean, that frees the mind and the soul. The spiritual connection with the ocean relaxes its people and all those who visit creating the worry free island life that relishes in the simple and pure. A life acknowledging the interconnectedness between people and nature.

Hawaiians have a great love for their land. As they should, you can't help but be inspired by the natural beauty found here. Every corner reveals a sight worthy of a postcard, I'm in awe of the Hawaiians ingrained cultural connection with the land, that their commercial growth is not at the expense of the environment, rather efforts are taken to keep things natural and untouched. Living with a raw honesty of what it means to live on the islands, amongst the elements of the ocean, with the wind, sand, sun, critters and insects, you will find a lack of pretension here. Kailua is still only building it's very first Target. Four storey buildings are considered three storeys too high and the banging parties are the beachside BBQ's that clock out by ten 'cause the car park is closing.

Stronger than their love for the land, is a love for each other. Despite the bodies of water separating the islands the ancient people saw each other as one, with a deep sense of community and family. Hawaiians continue to value this shared kinship between people, as Lilo has taught us, 

 we are all 'ohana'.

Even the stitches of the world. Hawaii is a now a home for a melting pot population full of the friendliest and welcoming people around. 

This place no longer feels like a place to holiday, it now feels more like a place to call home. Maybe it's the large amount of Filipinos here and the fact that the 7/11 sells Filipino dishes as takeaway. Maybe that I'm blending in quite easily amongst the Polynesian tanned Asian community. Tourists, even American tourists have been asking me for directions and advice, locals surprised by my Aussie accent. Maybe it's the mellow character and nature of Hawaii I feel comfortable in, maybe that I like to Shaka more than actually wave, maybe because the guys all seem ridiculously fit and cute here. Maybe that I can't think of a better way to spend my days than kicking back to the sounds of Jack Johnson. 

I decided to stay in Kailua for week to get some true island life down time and some actual holiday from the holiday time on this lengthy trip. Here you’ll find some of the most powdery white and coveted beaches in Oahu across Kailua and Lanikai.

Here you’ll also find the newly iconic views from the pillbox hike. Looking inland to some of the mountain ridges on the island, I ventured off to get above sea level and get a birds eye view of the area. Hawaii has some great hikes. There's never one too far out of the way.

One of Lanikai's hikes is a trail to the WWII war bunkers that were used as lookouts as a place to  scan for oncoming Japanese forces. Called the pillboxes they still stand as though ever watchful along the peaks of the mountain. It isn't a long trail, but it gets quite steep. From up here you get the rewarding sight of the bays and reefs below and out to the Mok's, the two small outlying islands right off the coast. 

There are a few things to adjust to around here though, the continuous presence of Japanese tourists, even in sleepy Kailua, the very strong smell of weed in the air and the scarily helpful and friendly community who smile and actually talk to each other that I'm not so used too. These being very small, minute worries I think I've already come to terms with seeing as I've picked out my beachside mansion along Lanikai beach and can't wait to make it mine. Although that wait may be a few decades long, as the starting price for the beachfront property is around the $4 million mark.

Take a page out of Hawaii life,

Live lightly, live aloha.