Hawaii & Pearl Harbor

Aloha, Oahu!  Beautiful, crisp, clean, Hawaii.

WORTH THE TRIP?

If you can afford it.  Hawaii is visually striking, but expensive.  And has arguably less native culture than many locations costing considerably less to visit (Fiji, for example).  You can catch extremely cheap fares from LA during the “off-season” though, and Kauai and Kona are the best islands to visit for those after the most authentic Hawaiian experiences.  Oahu and Maui are certainly best for resorts and shopping.  The USS Arizona, a bleeding tribute to the tragedy and many lives lost that catapulted the United States into World War II, is absolutely worth the visit.

ACTIVITIES

  • ATHLETES:  surfing, golfing (quite expensive though), snorkeling, windsurfing, climbing, biking, mountain and jungle hiking, running, exploring
  • ADVENTURERS: surfing, snorkeling, windsurfing, climbing, biking, mountain and jungle hiking, running, exploring
  • PHOTOGRAPHERS:  photo/video scapes, portraits, landscapes and dramatic wedding photography
  • FAMILIES:  gorgeous beaches, kid-friendly snorkeling, photography, picnicking, hiking for all ability levels, great walking paths both with and without elevation, wildlife and whale watching tours
  • KIDS:  Very kid-friendly environment, although considerably more expensive than most tourist locations for larger families.

WHAT TO BRING?

  • CLOTHING:  Comfortable hiking or running shoes.  Flip flops and swimwear are a must.  A rain jacket and light sweatshirt and jeans are a good idea for cooler nights.
  • CAMERA:  GoPro if you have it.  Phone and DSLR are probably secondary for most.
  • LENSES:  Wide angle will probably get you the most impressive results, but also consider a mid to long-range telephoto or combination zoom for any portraits, action shots or dramatic compositions.
  • BACKPACK:  A light daypack with ample water and sunblock at a minimum.  Always useful to have for the beach and especially with a camera and/or kids.

WHEN TO GO?

Anytime.  Low season in December will likely save you quite a bit, though.

SUMMARY

If you can afford it, go.  If you don’t have a passport, or your kids don’t, it’s as tropical as you can get.  Otherwise, a better experience can be had outside of the US for a lot less money.

THE EQUIPMENT WE USED:


GALLERY


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