🌺 Why I Miss Hawaii: 13,803 Feet, Giant Sea Turtles & Terrifying Coastal Drives

From Maunakea Stargazing to Maui's Road to Hana: Three Islands, Countless Memories

Waikiki sunsets, volcanic wonders, an unforgettable encounter with a sea turtle—and the Hawaiian island I still need to discover.

🌴 Quick Take: Three Islands, One Unforgettable Experience

We explored Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island.

We stayed in beautiful hotels, climbed volcanic mountains, explored tropical coastlines, admired marine life, and drove along roads that occasionally made me question my judgment.

We also missed Kauai.

Ouch.

That oversight alone justifies a return trip.

But if I had to choose one favorite island?

The Big Island. Without hesitation.

⚛️ Three FUNanc1al Atomic Statements

1. The Hawaiian State of Mind

The greatest luxury in Hawaii isn't the hotel, the beach, or the sunset. It's the extraordinary feeling of being thousands of miles from the world's worries—and suddenly much closer to yourself.

2. The Maunakea Revelation

Some destinations take your breath away. Maunakea gives it back, along with a renewed sense of how astonishingly beautiful—and small—our place in the universe really is.

3. The Kahekili Survival Principle

Nothing improves the taste of Hawaiian banana bread quite like surviving a coastal road you probably shouldn't have driven in the first place.

🌊 Oahu: Waikiki, Diamond Head & a Little Slice of Paradise

Our Hawaiian adventure included Oahu, home to Honolulu and legendary Waikiki Beach.

We stayed at the magnificent Halekulani Hotel, enjoying an oceanfront room with gorgeous views of Diamond Head.

Waikiki is paradise for surfers.

And if you don't surf?

It's still paradise.

The sunsets, the gentle tropical atmosphere, and the spectacular coastal scenery make doing absolutely nothing feel like a remarkably productive activity.

We also explored Diamond Head, whose volcanic crater offers breathtaking views of Honolulu.

But the beauty of Hawaii isn't limited to what you see.

It's also what you feel.

The air seems different. The distance from the mainland feels almost liberating.

And suddenly, everyday worries become considerably less urgent.

We visited Pearl Harbor, a deeply moving reminder of history, sacrifice, and the human cost of war.

We enjoyed the marine beauty of Hanauma Bay, where the underwater scenery rivals anything above the surface.

And yes, we made room for pineapple soft serve at the Dole Plantation.

Because civilization has made some remarkable advances.

Pineapple ice cream is certainly one of them. 🍍

🌋 The Big Island: My Favorite Hawaiian Island

The Big Island is extraordinary.

Volcanoes, black lava landscapes, beautiful beaches, tropical vegetation, and mountains rising nearly 14,000 feet above the ocean.

It's difficult to imagine a more dramatic combination.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers an unforgettable introduction to the geological forces that created these islands.

But my most powerful memories come from two very different experiences: the stars above Maunakea and the ocean below.

✨ Maunakea: A Universe of Stars

Maunakea rises approximately 13,803 feet above sea level.

Measured from its underwater base to its summit, it's taller than Mount Everest, although Everest remains the world's highest mountain above sea level.

And the drive toward the summit?

Epic.

Altitude sickness is real, incidentally.

Just ask my wife.

But what awaits you near the top is almost impossible to describe.

The stars.

Thousands upon thousands of them, spread across a sky of extraordinary clarity.

It's not simply stargazing.

It's an encounter with the universe.

I remember feeling so overwhelmed by the spectacle that tears nearly interfered with the view.

The only other place where I've experienced anything comparable was the Atacama Desert in Chile.

Another keeper.

There are experiences that entertain you.

And there are experiences that change your perspective on life.

Maunakea belongs firmly in the second category.

🐢 The Sea Turtle That Came to Say Hello

One afternoon, while enjoying life right in front of the Four Seasons on the Big Island, I decided to try a little body-surfing.

The beach was beautiful.

The waves looked inviting.

And I apparently forgot that the Pacific Ocean is considerably stronger than I am.

One powerful wave slammed me into the ocean floor so hard that I nearly lost consciousness.

A frightening experience.

And a lasting reminder that even paradise demands respect.

Later that same day, my daughter Chloé and I were wading in shallower water when something magical happened.

A giant Hawaiian green sea turtle—honu—swam toward us.

She approached, seemed to inspect these two curious humans, lingered briefly, and then continued on her way.

We didn't touch her or interfere.

We simply watched.

And what a privilege that was.

Nature doesn't always need to perform spectacular tricks to astonish us.

Sometimes all it takes is a turtle deciding to pay a visit.

🚗 Maui: Two Roads, Two Very Different Adventures

Maui gave us spectacular scenery—and a few opportunities to reconsider our enthusiasm for driving.

🌿 The Road to Hana

The famous Road to Hana winds through lush rainforests, waterfalls, coastal cliffs, and dozens of narrow bridges.

It's breathtaking.

It's also crowded.

We started early, around 6 a.m., hoping to beat the traffic.

We didn't.

My advice?

Start the day before.

Seriously, though, allow plenty of time, fill your tank before departing, and remember that mobile reception can be unreliable.

Highlights include waterfalls, tropical scenery, and the striking black-sand coastline around Waiʻānapanapa State Park.

😱 Kahekili Highway: The Road Our Concierge Told Us to Avoid

Then came Kahekili Highway, Route 340, along Maui's rugged northwestern coastline.

Our Four Seasons concierge recommended that we skip it.

Naturally, we went anyway.

Narrow roads.

Blind corners.

Steep cliffs.

Sections without guardrails.

And occasionally, barely enough room for one vehicle.

At one point, we encountered an oncoming SUV.

Fortunately, the road was wide enough for both vehicles to pass.

Otherwise, one of us would have needed to reverse.

Along a cliff.

Not my preferred form of entertainment.

The scenery was magnificent, but this is a road that demands serious caution. Some sections are unsuitable for larger vehicles or inexperienced drivers, and rental-car restrictions may apply.

We eventually enjoyed banana bread from Julia's famous roadside stand near Kahakuloa.

Delicious.

Although I suspect almost anything would have tasted extraordinary after that drive.

☀️ Haleakalā: Watching the World Wake Up

Maui also gave us another remarkable experience: Haleakalā, the enormous volcano rising more than 10,000 feet above sea level.

Watching the sunrise above the clouds is difficult to forget.

The colors.

The silence.

The enormous volcanic landscape.

It feels like witnessing the world being created.

And somehow, despite the cold and the altitude, you don't want the moment to end.

🌺 The Island We Missed: Kauai

There's one major unfinished chapter in our Hawaiian story.

Kauai.

We missed it.

And I intend to correct that.

Two experiences are particularly high on my list.

The Nā Pali Coast, with its dramatic emerald cliffs rising above the Pacific.

And Waimea Canyon, often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

Both look extraordinary.

And both provide yet another excellent excuse to return.

As if I needed one.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which Hawaiian island is my favorite?

The Big Island, primarily for its volcanic landscapes, Maunakea, beautiful coastline, and extraordinary stargazing. But Maui is fabulous too.

Is Maunakea worth visiting?

Absolutely. But altitude, weather, cultural considerations, and access restrictions deserve careful preparation. Summit access is not appropriate for everyone.

Is the Road to Hana worth driving?

Yes, for the waterfalls, rainforests, and dramatic coastal scenery. Start early, allow plenty of time, and drive cautiously.

Is Kahekili Highway dangerous?

Some sections are extremely narrow, exposed, and challenging. I wouldn't recommend it casually, particularly to inexperienced drivers.

Can you touch Hawaiian sea turtles?

No. Admire them from a respectful distance. Hawaiian green sea turtles are protected wildlife.

What would I do differently next time?

Spend more time on the Big Island.

And finally visit Kauai!

🍽️ Food for Thought: The Cross-Hub Connection

Travel is often described as an investment in experiences.

I think that's exactly right.

Some investments generate financial returns.

Others generate memories, perspective, curiosity, and happiness.

Hawaii delivers extraordinary returns in those less measurable currencies.

The encounter with the turtle.

The stars over Maunakea.

The breathtaking volcanic landscapes.

Even the terrifying coastal drive.

All these years later, they remain vivid.

And perhaps that's the greatest return of all.

📌 Signal Extract

The greatest luxury in Hawaii isn't the hotel, the beach, or the sunset. It's the extraordinary feeling of being thousands of miles from the world's worries—and suddenly much closer to yourself.

🎯 High-Conviction Takeaway

Some destinations take your breath away. Maunakea gives it back, along with a renewed sense of how astonishingly beautiful—and small—our place in the universe really is.

❤️ Final Verdict: Hawaii, I Miss You

I've been fortunate to visit many beautiful places.

But Hawaii is different.

It's the air.

The ocean.

The mountains.

The stars.

The wonderful feeling of being somewhere almost impossibly far away.

And the memories that refuse to fade.

FunTrip Index™: 10.1 / 10.

Yes, I know the scale ends at ten.

Hawaii doesn't seem particularly concerned.

And neither am I.

Until next time, Hawaii.

Aloha. 🌺

Carpe Diem! Be Happy. ❤️