tripatlas.com/new proudly features Cloudia Charters’ unique “Walking in Waikiki” column from a column from Waikiki News that takes you through the streets of Waikiki and paints a picture of what’s up-and-coming the neighbourhood of Honolulu in Oahu, Hawaii. Read past Walking in Waikiki Articles on tripatlas.com/new.
“Honolulu Winter Calendar” Tired and skinny Kolea (golden plover) have returned to our misty-morning Waikiki lawns after their latest epic flight from Alaska. Anticipation and a fresh autumn coolness thrill the O`ahu air, and air conditioners are silent, as these part-time residents return year after year. Albatross, who reportedly spends up to 10 years in flight, may not be impressed by Kolea’s feat, but I am. The original “snow birds” will winter in the islands stuffing their beaks till its time to return north in the spring.
The Humpback Whales, too, will soon be wintering here as usual. Life’s cycles do continue, and I’m not talking ‘boom’ & ‘bust.’ How about you, got the urge to get away? E Komo Mai! Welcome, there’s room on the beach for YOU. . .
Thanks-for-the-suggestion department: Speaking of Alaska, was that Sarah Palin?! Gun laws are strict in Japan, so our visitors from Nihon enjoy the opportunity to blast away while on their Waikiki vacations. Walking along Kalakaua Avenue the other evening, a brunette woman took a flyer advertising a gun club. A moment later she accepted a coupon from the guy in the moose suit who touts Moose McGillycuddy’s Pub on Lewers. Then it hit her: “You should get together with the gun club people!” The moose guy backed slowly away. . .
Travel & Leisure Magazine readers and CNN viewers have voted Honolulu their favorite city for travel and romance! We are in their top 5 for peace & quiet, for “just relaxing,” for over-all quality of life and for visitor experience too. Plus we’re #1 for holiday travel. Upscale international men’s magazine, MONOCLE, published its “Quality of Life” list placing Honolulu at #11. The next American city I could find was Portland OR at #25. We also boast the cleanest air and the highest rents in the USA (median: $1200). . .
Musical chairs: Compadres, the popular Ward Avenue restaurant, has closed its doors; while Whole Foods Market has come to Kahala Mall (Replacing the super market where Jack Lord, “McGarrett of Hawaii 5-0 fame, used to shop. Book`em Mango!) Meanwhile, epic breakfast place Eggs & Things is moving right across Saratoga Road from the Waikiki Post Office. . .
If you haven’t enjoyed Waikiki recently you do owe yourself another visit. A lot is going on. The streets resonate happily with the excitement of new openings, refreshed hotels, and fun activities. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel refurbishment continues apace; and Ru Murakmi of the wonderful, newly opened Waikiki nei show (www.waikikinei.com) tells me that the production continues to enjoy very positive audience response. Even so, it is constantly being freshened and improved all the time. I know I’ll be back to see it with my guests this winter. It really is fun and worthwhile!
And speaking of winter, exciting Hawaii Winter Baseball (www.HawaiiWinterBaseball.com) is BACK for another jamming season! See great plays up close under blue skies. If you suffer withdrawals after the World Series perhaps you can write your trip off as rehab. . .
The annual Honolulu Marathon (Sunday December 14th at 5am) always gets me into a Christmas mood. It’s so relaxing to be awakened by that early cannon only to realize that I can go back to sleep – then doing so. Cozy, ahhh! www.honolulumarathon.org . . .
For those who prefer to sit in a dark place, the Hawaii Int’l Film Festival (www.hif.org) is on tap for October 9-18. Connoisseurs claim ours is one of the “don’t miss” events of the film year. And don’t forget Chinese New Year of the OX here in America’s oldest Chinatown. (Popular block party slated for mid February) Lunar New Year is ALWAYS a very big deal here in our town with it’s deep Chinese roots. If you can’t get to Beijing or Hong Kong, experience a joyous and authentic “Kung Hee Fat Choy!” here with us. . .
World-class surf will soon be luring professional surfers, poseurs, wanna be-s, and spectators to Oahu’s North Shore for the top competitions in that sport that Hawaii gave to the world. Chicken skin, Bruhdah! . .
Kona Memories: Swimming with turtles at Disappearing Sands Beach, coffee bushes blooming with white flowers, their bright red “cherries” hiding green coffee beans inside, the smell of FRESH roasted coffee.
Aunty Sandol Stoddard writes from Kona: “…as to the air, Mme Pele (the volcano goddess) has developed a new pattern the past 2 weeks or so – now for the first time since February we actually get 3-4 hours of lovely sunshine each morning before getting socked in with the smelly gray stuff. Then, the past few evenings, we have seen partial clearing and the worst of the dark lifts to provide a hazy sunset of sorts. Last night I could even see it on the ocean, not the “golden pathway” of yore but a brief brassy-colored one. Lots of noise up at the caldera lately and we are told she is spitting large bits of glass and Pele’s hair as well as the usual rock dust and poison gas. Sounds like a major snit to me. Sandol.”
Volcanic haze IS an issue for some parts of the Big Island, like Auntie’s. Some folks avoid the Big Island altogether (which is a shame); others wouldn’t miss the amazing volcano show. Parts of the island are relatively unaffected, like the Waikoloa “Gold” Coast and Kohala cowboy country. Just be informed before you go. Of course, thanks to glorious trade-wind weather, Oahu skies are crisp and clean – I love our Waikiki winters. . . .
No matter how long I labor at the keyboard each day I can always look forward to my sunset walk down the beach. Often I walk east, for you see: I’m not watching another Hawaii sunset. On my daily walks I am looking at something much more precious, varied and beautiful; I’m looking at YOU, our guests from all around the world. What a sight you are! Everyone is beautiful in Hawaii. . .
Who were all those pale, bald, happy kids? They are a group of cancer patients brought here by the Sunshine Club, and they seem to be everywhere, and doing everything: surfing, canoe riding, even swimming with the dolphins at Sea Life Park. They look like they’re having a blast! “I was face to face with a sea turtle. I took his picture!” one of the kids told a local reporter. And that’s what Waikiki has always been about: relaxation, healing, and coming back to your senses. . .
Inside word: visitor counts are down for all of the islands, but Waikiki is anything but a ghost town. The pace always slackens at this time of year but sidewalks and beaches remain lively with locals and our guests enjoying the eternal healing magic of our little village by the sea. Don’t tell the chamber of commerce, but I like the slower tempo and visitors seem to as well. Don’t assume that you can’t afford to join us this fall and winter.
Right now there are amazing deals to be had! Reduced room-rates, and extra nights, are some of the “sweeteners” on offer right now, and package deals look especially alluring. Don’t wish that you had. This could be your optimum moment. Come S.O.A.R. with us! (Share Our Abundant Rainbows) Blue skies, rainbows, lovely people, and welcoming surf always surround you. . . When you’re walking in Waikiki. . . A L O H A !
This article was originally published Oct 5, 2008 in Waikiki News and was reproduced with permission.
Want to enjoy more Waikiki “street” life with Cloudia? Check out her Hawaii “Taxi Cab” Novel: “Aloha Where You Like Go?” at Amazon.com or local bookstores.