Hawaii

I lived in Kailua-Kona, on the big island, for three months in 1992 as a volunteer with YWAM. I don't know if Kona is still the same, but I had a stopoff in Honolulu in January 2007 and could barely afford to breathe. American and Japanese tourists have taken their toll on Hawaii, and sometimes there's tension with the native Hawaiians. It's still not a bad place to be in January compared to Canada.

 


The Aquarium in Honolulu<br> "Boss.. we took care o' Mr. Hoffa.. he's sleeping wit' da fishes now." It's a little crowded in there to sleep. Sunset at Waikiki Beach, Honolulu<br>It's nice, but Bali and Thailand have spoiled me. I even missed the hawkers for a moment. But only a moment. Jellyfish at the Aquarium<br> Why do we have the expression about weak people? They swam with <i>attitude! </i> Road to Hale-Ola<br> Hale-Ola were the apartments I lived in in Kailua-Kona. I had a twenty-minute or so walk to work every day. Flip-flops don't last long on these roads. Luau dancer, Germaine's Luau<br> It was fun, but a little rushed. Look—this girl didn't even have time to get dressed! Waikiki Beach, Oahu<br>The beach near Waikiki can be pretty during the three minutes or so of the day when it's empty and quiet. Hapuna Beach, Hawaii<br>It was the first time I ever swam in a real ocean.. my first body-surfing.. my first honkin' big sunburn! Sunset, Kailua-Kona<br>Would someone explain to me why I left? Cruise Ship, Kailua-Kona<br> "But we were told this is where they filmed <i>The Bounty</i>!" Storm at night in Kailua-Kona<br> Every time there was a storm there was a power outage.. and then half-price ice cream in the local stores! Greenery, Kona<br> I had never seen a palm tree before. It took me hours to unhusk a coconut—and then a Cambodian women did it in five seconds. Me Cliff-diving at the Beach, Kona<br> We had one of the locals check the depth of the water below. "Uh, didn't you go out with his sister?" Waikiki Beach<br> I think that day the beach was at capacity: 3200 people (or 2400 Americans). Waikiki Marina<br> Real estate can be extremely expensive in Hawaii... even the watery type. Fire Eater, Kailua-Kona<br> Most of the food was not as hot as this. Football Field, Waikiki<br> I suppose there <i>are</i> athletes and teams here, but I never associate Hawaii with any sport other than dancing in front of a roasted pig. Waikiki Morning<br> I suppose this is why the football field was so quiet. Sports on the beach involves more bikinis! Government House, Honolulu<br> "Lots of balloons on the building help us to pass happy laws!" Honolulu Street<br> Honolulu is not as attractive as Waikiki and can be dingy in places. At least there isn't an ABC store every ten feet. Ocean View, Kailua-Kona<br> In the evenings we had the beautiful sight of ships smuggling out.. macademia nuts, that's it, yeah... Parker Ranch, Waimea, Hawaii<br> One of the biggest ranches in the USA. No, the cowboys don't wear leis, and no, they don't like to be asked. Hapuna Beach, Hawaii<br> We hitch-hiked. It's easy to get around in Hawaii; not so easy to figure out why they're called <i>interstates</i>. Hilo, Hawaii<br>I could only get there on a schoolbus. My seatmate was a bale of hay, for five hours. I wonder what coach class was like.

 

 

 

 

This'll be the player

Fire Juggler, Oahu (January 2007) 0:18
Luau Dancer, Oahu (January 2007) 0:22
Waikiki Aquarium (January 2007) 0:19
Kailua-Kona, Big Island on 8mm Film (February 1992) 0:43