May 2011, December 2025

Tropical islands of serrated mountains.

Hawaii is a place that everyone wants to visit. It's photogenic, warm, clean, and safe. I'll never forget the excitement of booking my ticket for my first visit, and then landing at night, and then waking up before dawn the first morning to watch the sunrise in Honolulu.

The rainforest and mountains are uniquely Polynesian. The culture isn't too much different from the rest of the US, but we were there more to go hiking and swimming.

We spent two weeks in Hawaii the first time, exploring different parts of Oahu and Kauai. The western coast of Kauai is inarguably one of the most stunning places on earth.

In December 2025, we returned, to run several canyoneering routes on Maui. These are some of the prettiest and most fun canyons anywhere, and someday I hope to also visit Molokai and the Big Island.

I'd give Hawaii two thumbs up. I've often considered moving here, but haven't, because financially it doesn't make sense. There are a million other reasons why it would make sense to live in Hawaii though, and we'll see what the future brings.