Yes, I'm still thinking about Hawaii. Sitting here on a lazy Sunday, wearing a Crazy Shirt, I want to recapture that Hawaii feeling.

Last Saturday I woke up early. By early, I mean 5:30 AM. No one else was that crazy. So I slipped out of the hotel room and walked a block to the main drag along Waikiki beach. I thought I would get out early and have a little time to myself. Wow, was I wrong. It was far from a deserted beach.

Within the first block I was greeted by the strains of surfing music. A three piece combo had set up along the beach and was playing some electronically amplified rifts. I really liked their sound and enjoyed the experience. I was across the street, one of the few listening, at that time of the morning. I proceeded towards Diamond Head after a couple of songs.

Three more bands were dispersed at intervals down the beach. Each had a different style, traditional Hawaiian, Contemporary, oldies rock 'n roll. It was fun. I'd listen for a while and then move on to the next.

By the time I reached Kuhio Beach, just east of Waikiki, an hour or so had passed. It was approaching 7:00 AM. I left the walk and made my way to the water's edge, along the beach. At least 100 surfers were waiting for waves. Little specks, far out from the beach. On each swell, one or more surfers would turn their boards, paddle and rise to catch the wave. It was miraculous to watch them negotiate their paths between other surfers who waited. A couple of times I thought that someone would certainly be hurt as a board skimmed past.

I watched for an hour or so. People gathered constantly. By the time I headed back to the hotel, the beach was crowded. It was nearing 8:00. Things get going pretty early in Hawaii. On my walk back I was pressed by maybe 100,000 or so people. It turns out that this probably wasn't a typical Saturday morning on Waikiki. There was a walk for something. Cancer related, I think. Large groups clumped together, moving in mass from band to band and store to store.

It was a fun morning in Hawaii. And, although I can think of no better way to say "I'm from Omaha!" than walking around Waikiki, farmer's tan on full display, it was fun. (Okay, I'm not from Omaha, but you know what I mean.) It's the most tourist-like thing that someone can do in our 50th state.

I'm glad to be home. I can't wait to go back. I probably won't ever spend another week on Waikiki. I'm more of a Maui guy. But it was fun............
6:02:15 PM    comment []