Greetings from Hawaii!
I landed last night and about 15 minutes after I stepped off the plane, Hawaii announced a Tsunami warning. I’m staying in Kaneohe, on the island of Oahu, way above sea level so we’re totally safe, but I decided to shoot a video for you guys to prove it.
[Can’t see the video? Click Here] I’m planning on shooting lots more videos while I’m here in Hawaii for a few reasons.- It’s beautiful
- It’s freaking beautiful
Don’t believe me? Here are some photos I snapped this morning out my front door.
I’m tired of shooting/seeing/watching videos of people against a white wall as a background so instead of complaining about it, I’m switching things up and am going to shoot a bunch of videos with much, much better scenery as a backdrop. I figure the natural landscape of Hawaii should do the trick. If you have a suggestion for your favorite place on the islands, let me know and I’ll see if I can’t find it. Otherwise, I’ll have to settle for…well…anywhere on the island chain (have I mentioned it’s freaking beautiful here?).
Why My Hawaiian Local Friends Hate Me
If you remember back about a year ago, there was an earthquake in Chile in late February. That earthquake triggered a Tsunami warning in Hawaii and on that day last year, I was flying in to Honolulu. We spent the whole first day I was there watching the TV about Tsunami Scare 2010. Now, fast forward a little more than a year to yesterday, the exact same thing happens and we have another Tsunami warning and we stayed up last night watching Tsunami Scare 2011. So I’m 2 for 2 in predicting Tsunamis with my physical presence. If this keeps up, I need to look out because my friends are starting to look at me funny and tell me never to come back, because apparently I bring tsunamis with me. And they’re sort of right. I’m 2 for 2 in predicting Tsunamis in Hawai’i just by being here (although I’m not sure that’s something I should brag about).
Video Postcards
Long time readers know I really enjoy the opportunity to travel. While I’m really grateful for it, I know lots of people don’t get the same opportunity that I do, so I’ve started to do video postcards on a lot of my trips for readers. Basically it’s a personal video shout out of wherever I am. You can see examples from previous trips I’ve done below:
They are a lot of fun, and people seem to enjoy them so I’m going to do them again. The site has grown a lot in the last few months and my schedule is pretty full so I can’t promise that I’ll be able to fulfill requests for location shots like before. Also, I want to be able to get everyone a postcard who really wants one, but I know I can’t do this for absolutely everyone so I’m going to put a limit on this to the first 25 people who leave a comment.
If you’re not one of the first 25, don’t worry. I’ll be doing another sort of promotion/giveaway on my facebook page this week so head over there and like the page if that sounds like something you’re interested in.
Also, if you’re a reader and live or are in Maui/Oahu/Big Island areas, let me know and we’ll see if we can’t find the time to meet up.
I hope you’re safe wherever you are and keep Japan in your prayers.
-Joel
You’re near my parents’ house! I suggest Valley of the Temples, it’s in Kaneohe. Good video opportunities there, plus a big bell to ring and incense to light in the temple. And you can feed the koi. They sell bags of fish food for $1 at the little store.
I was on my way to Hawaii that same day last year, was afraid I’d get stuck in Seattle on the way. Have a great time!
Didn’t make it to the Temple, but I shot this on the North Shore – http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5552404131
If you get a chance, check out Kauai, in particular Hanalei (there is a restaurant there called Postcards that is spankin incredible!!) Also, if you keep following the road that leads through Hanalei, go to the end of the road and there is Ke’e Beach. Best place to go snorkeling and the only place I’ve seen that has wild chickens on the beach.
Be safe man and God bless.
Not on Kauai, but I got some nice scenery for ya –> http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5552390785
Go snorkeling in Hanauma Bay but I do agree that Ke’e Beach has the best snorkeling in Oahu. You can hit the north side of the island for awesome surfing as well.
I’ll have to make sure you’re not in Hawai’i next time I visit. Say no to tsunamis haha
Just say no to Tsunamis 🙂 http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5553854865/
I’ve never been to Hawaii so this request might be a little ignorant…
Although it might mess up the sound, I’d love a video shout-out near some sweet waterfalls.
Good “last minute” post and summary of the weather too Joel. Rockin!
– Josh
Hope this works instead 🙂 http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5553023400/
I’m so jealous. We went to Oahu for our honeymoon 4 years ago and I left part of my heart there. We’re saving up to go back April 2012 but that is ages away!
The most beautiful part of Oahu we found was Lanikai Beach, especially when you turn right and walk for about a mile or 2 past the tourist bit and into the deserted residential part. It is astoundingly beautiful there and you feel like the only person, which is such a peaceful feeling to have. I have one of the many Lanikai Beach photos I took as my desktop wallpaper and it fills me with calm and happiness each time I look at it.
Enjoy your stay!
Lexie
I made it to Lanikai 🙂 http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5552971272/in/photostream/
ei joel,
happy for you that you survived all these tsunami stuff. it’s a great way to be part of history as it happens.
neweys, like the thoughts about the uselessness of worrying.enjoy Hawaii!
Carpe Diem!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5552432613/
Hey Joel!
What a cool idea! I was just a kid when I visited Hawaii. I seemed to remember that I really liked the Hawaiian concoction called poi. (I think I’ve spelled it right). Would you give it a try and let me know what you think of it? You can’t get it here in the Amish Country of South Central PA! LOL
Thanks and have a great time!
Here you go Robin! http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5553824939/
I’m jealous that you’re there. I haven’t been to Hawaii, so a video showing anything cool would be awesome. As long as it looks like you are in Lost and being chased by the smoke monster…
I couldn’t find the SmokeMonster, but I hope this will do instead –> http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5552421837
Enjoy as much you can.
This natural “catastrofe” let us see importent of life.Enjoy, be and stay good.
Life is short.
Jelena
P.S. One day I will visit Hawaii,so give us some tips:)
The top 3 tips for visiting Hawaii – http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5554447392/
Not sure I need to leave a comment posting my REQUEST for a postcard since I helped in transporting you to that beautiful place you are….but here is my request anyway! Enjoy your trip!
Request granted 🙂 http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5536650178/
Sounds like great trip! I grew up in Missouri and first time I went there I thought “holy crap, this is amazing!”
Places I liked? Haliewa on the North Shore is good, hiking to top of Diamond Head, swimming in reef protected area at Ala Moana Park in Waikiki. Actually anywhere is great!
Hope you have lots of fun!
Kurt
Just north of Haliewa – http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5552995786
Glad you’re safe. Thanks for posting the video.
Thanks man, here’s your video – http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5553864873/
Glad to hear that you’re safe! And I look forward to seeing all the beautiful sights and hearing all about your adventures!
Here you go! http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5553815933/
How long will you be on Oahu? Are you hitting some of the other islands, too?
On Oahu, make time for a trip to the North Shore. Head west from Haleiwa Town through Waialua (there’s an old sugar mill smokestack still standing, you’ll see it). Take Waialua Beach Road from the traffic circle. Turn right on Au Street just past the private Dole company park. Head toward the beach, you’ll find Aweoweo Beach Park. Great place to swim with the turtles!
At the beach park, as you’re facing the ocean, walk to the right. Wade in between the first two A-frame houses. Swim out thirty or forty feet from the beach. The water is about 8 feet deep. There’s a big rock that serves as a “cleaning station” for turtles. You’ll usually see at least half a dozen or more loitering around the rock.
Thanks for the detailed directions David – we found the beach! – http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5552428279/in/photostream/
I just saw the pics! Did you swim with the turtles?
We didn’t. It was crazy choppy so we just hung out and ate lunch (great beach btw). I swam with turtles at 2 step on the Big Island last year & we saw the turtles sunning themselves at the turtle park up the road, so I wasn’t in *too* much of a dire need to fight the waves. Thanks for the recs though Dave, we had a blast finding the places you talked about!
And while you’re on the North Shore, drive out Farrington Highway to Dillingham Airfield. You can do you parachute jump there if you like! It’s kinda cool spiraling down toward the ocean!
For a nice hike, park by the airfield control tower, and walk toward the mountains through the gravel parking lot. You’ll see a sign for the Kealia Trail. It’s a couple mile hike up steep switchbacks with great views of the North Shore to a picnic table. From there you can turn around and hike down, or keep hiking all day on various forest service roads.
This hike is great practice for the H.U.R.T. Hawaii Peacock 100k trail race in October… which I’m sure you’ll be back for, right?
Do lunch at Kono’s in Haleiwa — freakin’ awesome “kalua pig” (pulled pork) burritos.
Another neat hike (mostly flat) is to drive out to the end of Farrington Highway and hike around Kaena Point. You’re likely to see Hawaiian Monk Seals (endangered… but they look like the seals you see thousands of in California or Oregon) and Albatross at the point. Take water, it gets hot out there.
Thanks for bringing the tsunami with you, by the way. It made for a sleepless night; thank goodness it turned out to be a mere “inconvenience” rather than a tragedy.
We didn’t get to make all of these stops this time, but they’re on the list for my next visit 🙂
1) I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii. I have a few friends that live there. I forget which island at the moment.
2) When I go, I’ll have to make sure you’re not there. No tsunami’s for me please. =)
3) I am actually excited that I’m going to be getting a postcard from you! 😀
Here you go Angie! http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5554397236
Hawaii is one of my favorite places in the world. If you get the opportunity to see the sunrise from the top of Haleakala in Maui TAKE IT! While it requires that you get up the mountain by 4 am, you have my promise that you won’t be sorry- I was able to do it with my family in my early teens (a decade ago) and I will never forget it. They also have bike rentals for the way down if you happen to be on a cross-training day in your marathon schedule 🙂
Didn’t make it up to Haleakala, but I was able to record this for ya 🙂 http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5553863493/
Really? We have to put up with more of your face in order to see the beautiful scenery that is Hawaii???
Have fun brother.
Yes you do. It’s required viewing 🙂
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5553808379/
I’ve never been to Hawaii, so I would love to see the postcard from pretty much anywhere. But to make it a bit more interesting – and since “the early bird catches the worm” – could you take it during sunrise? 😉
Thanks!
Didn’t quite make it at sunrise, but I hope this works :0 http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelrunyon/5554408800/
OK, it counts. But just because you obviously must’ve killed everyone on the beach to at least make an impression of an early morning. I mean – how else could it be so empty? 🙂
Thank you!
Haha, a little violent eh? You’d be surprised how empty the beaches can be on weekdays 🙂
Please include a video of you kiteboarding. Please.
Not gonna get a chance to do it this year unfortunately 🙁