Easy Hawaii ??? (please hawaiian Swaylokers, advice?)

General Discussion
1

Hi all, and please forgive me for the uninteresting thread (I sorry for posting this).

I might have a chance to spend a few days in Hawaii in late october or early november, I’ve never been, my wife (pregnant) and my little boy will definitely be very happy, and although the main goal is family fun, I’d hope to squeeze in a session or two.

here the problems:

-I’m not a good surfer, enough to have fun and having a decent amount of control over what I do, but I hardly ever surf anything that’s more than 2-3 feet overhead (also because it doesn’t happen all that often here), I know for sure I don’t want to deal with heavy hawaiian surf, and even more so, I don’t want to ruin it for those who can take it.

-If I end up taking one of my boards, I’ll most likely be undergunned anyway (one more reason not to deal with heavy surf)

-If I don’t take one of mine, I’d like rent/borrow one for the occasional surf sessions, therefore I need to be near a place that can provide this (this shouldn’t be too hard, In my imagination there’s a surf shop at every street corner in Hawaii)

-one last note: If I’m in a place that for whatever reason is not appealing to sharks, even better

to sum it all up: I’d like to visit a nice place, that gives me a good idea of what Hawaii is all about (in terms of nature and culture), without hopping around like a crazy tourist, enjoing it with my family, and possibly getting some manageable surf.

Any suggestion as to where to go? Which Island? beach? town?

thanks a lot in advance for your help.

d

2

mo,

As far as Oahu goes, my recommendation would for you to stay in Waikiki. There might be managable waves during the period you mentioned (off season actually), and the ocean will be more than gentle enough for your kids. I’ve never had the need to rent a board, but have heard good things about Koa Board Sports and Local Motion, both in Waikiki and Surf n Sea in Haleiwa town rents boards too. Culturally, the best place to visit would be the Polynesian Cultural Center on the north shore. You can drive past all the famous north shore breaks then take in the various cultures of the Pacific. Living here, I don’t really keep up with all the tourist activities, but I think you might like taking in a canoe ride at Waikiki. It’s something you all could do together thats kind of fun. As far as the other islands go, Maui is’nt as built up as Oahu, Kauai’s really nice and mellow and Hawaii, the big island is the most raw and natural of all. Lanai and Molokai are where you go to really get away from it all as there are’nt as many things to see and do.

3

What kind/size of board do you ride? I may have a 6’6 to lend you.

4

good on ya ben !

…will you lend him your mask , too ? [looking good , big fellah !]

5

Moai,

Oahu is really fun. If you stay in Waikiki there’s surf and rentals handy, a drink in the Royal Hawaiian Maitai bar at sunset is awesome and there’s plenty of good real hawaiian music (Genoa Keawe, George Kuo etc.) Plenty of nice outdoors walks for the missus and little one too- go up to the Pali lookout, turn right and walk down the old highway- easy walk and amazingly beautiful for being right above a freeway! So much stuff like that to do, and you can visit the north shore and just watch which is plenty fun too. Oh, and go visit Downing Surf as well- such a temple for the surfer. Man, now I want to go on holiday too.

6

depending on how big you are and how well you can paddle

I can let you use one of my EPS “experiments”

If you’re willing to take it back on the plane I’d even let you have it to keep.

CMP was my teacher

Unfortunately due to some unforseen work emergencies I’ll be in guam and then vegas over the next two weeks so it depends alot on timing…

Sharkcountry lives in the hills above waikiki so maybe he could help out here too…

You should try and hook up with Manoa or UncleD since they surf waikiki all the time…

things are going downhill rapidly for the southshore as winter approaches but waikiki is always fun…

if you want to see a real local-style oriented beach with good waves then makaha is your call no other place like it looking from the lineup to the shore…

7

Well Onelua, If I end up in your neighborhood I’ll be honored to ty one of your experiments.

One clarification I need: from what I’m reading, it sounds like everybody recommends Ohau first, is that because that’s where you live and you know it better? is it because it’s the most accessible? is it because surf-wise it’s the most famous?

Just thought I’d ask

thanks everybody or all the info so far.

d

8

a little off on a tangent - but yr reply makes me think mebbe you can recommed a good cd of some hawaiian tunes, particularly that slack-key guitar stuff i like so much. (avail online purch)

thanks + and Moai, GL on that HI trip

9

9N,

You can’t go much wrong with the stuff on Dancing Cat- easy to find and great slack key players- George Kuo, Ray Kane, Ledward Kaapana, Dennis Kamakihi- not a bad one in the bunch and they do a couple of sampler CDs too. A company called Cord has put out some great vocal stuff too- Lena Machado etc, Gabby Pahanui is an obvious winner as well, although personally I’d stay away from the Ry Cooder produced stuff (He put strings and Mandolins over the top of already perfect music) Fire me a PM if you want and I could burn some older/rarer stuff for you too- I have a lot of older out of print 78’s burnt on CDs courtesy of friends and relatives- mostly hapa haole stuff but really excellent all the same.

10

Can’t go wrong with Keola Beamer. “Soliloquy” is my personal favorite. “Hawaiian Masters” is also great listening.

11

hey tanks, fellas! will PM you tomorrow a.m. Consafos

Slds,

jason

12 
Howzit 9N78W, Try to find some Sunday Manoa or Gabby Pahanui. Sunday Manoa was the Cazimaro (Spelling) Bros, Peter Moon and Gabby. Great music with that tends towards Classic Hawaiian> Aloha,Kokua
13

There are many reasons to start with Waikiki.

one, you claim not to handle much overhead. That’s wacky-wacky all year long (almost).

two, head high in Hawaii (nice ring to it don’t you think?) is probably a lot stronger than you have any idea, so Wkiki will be more user-friendly

three, there’s lots of amusement for the wife and kids, and you too.

four, everything’s right there in your front yard.

five, there’s almost no heaviness in the water unless you’re a total kook. Even then, there are plenty kooks, so you can blend in. Not calling you a kook, since I know nothing about your capabilities, but it’s just simpler to blend into the background than to try stake a claim at an unknown break, unknown vibe, unknown crowd. And it will be crowded.

Six… well you can always drive elsewhere if you feel the need. The island is only 20 miles by 30, Country is an hour drive at most.

Mind your ps and qs, check out the lineup, the current, the paddle-out, the crowd. Call one of the surf reports 596-7873 (will do it for you 24/7) before you go. If it’s coming up, don’t go out. If it’s coming up and howling onshore, don’t go out. Don’t hesitate to come in if you’re dubious. “If you don’t know, don’t go”. Every break has in the country has a rip current one way or another.

14

My vote is probably for Waikiki too. Everything is there, surf is easy and friendly, stuff for wife and kids. Queens breaks like no other place on earth. Forgiving rights that go on forever. The locals are generally cool and understanding, and there are many other visitors to help you not be the center of attention.

Other islands are more relaxed and less tourest oriented - which could be a good thing - but finding surf at locals only breaks is more difficult for sure. Last thing you want is to piss off some locals in a small town that you’ll be stuck in for the whole trip.

That said, Kauai has the Napali Coast and is more beautiful than anywhere you’ve ever been (plus my mom’s lived there for over 25 years), Maui has beauty and some night life, the Big Island has live volcanos and varied terrain.

All islands will have friendly surf spots but you’ll have to know where they are before you go. Waikiki is cinchy. Oahu’s also got the North Shore, which although you won’t want to surf there (probably) makes for spectacular viewing. Pipeline breaks right off the beach and will send chills right through your spine. The big-time breaks happen in a seven mile stretch, but unless you’re Kelly Slater, it’s pretty much locals only.

15

Waikiki is the call. My advise is to find the Beach Boy/ rental stand that opens earliest and get on it as soon as possible. Like most places, best surf is usually early before the winds kick in. Better yet, rent a 9’ board for the entire week. Check the shops on Kapahulu Ave. It will fit in the elevator. That way you’ll get the best surf and be back at the Hotel before rental stands even open and before the wife and kids notice your missing. Surf every day and not hear complaints of neglect.

16

Waikiki

special place in the heart

at night when shadows are falling

you will hear the rolling surf calling

calling to waikiki.

the waikiki connection is the connection to the gift .

the gift given free to the world to heal its ailing heart.

Duke was the ambassador the beach boys the royal court

and Prince Jonah Kuhio the reining monarch.

the residual aloha of this culture remains beneath the surface

of an urban metropolis that has settled over the land .

dawn in winter is august replayed

the rest of the northern hemisphere blighted with cold

waikiki echos the ukuleles of centuries gone by.

in years to come waves of emotion will

wash slowly over souls world wide

craving the long ago certainties of this geography.

try to ignore everything but the dawn sky and evening sunset

as it interplays with the benovelent surf and you will breathe in

all the goodness and beauty the Waikiki has to offer.

strive to ignore the traffic the crowds and all the trappings of a

major urban metroplex with

intensified human comapction

and all its ills.

visit the bishop museum

get up before dawn ,the front desk wake up call

the right of way next to the halekulani

down lewers is a cacophony of bird song and hotel smells

when the ocean appears from between the buildings

you will be home.

Kuhio beach is where it all went down in the book

after smelling the sea at waikiki all the written words will be fleshed out.

feel the queen and her special wave reserve

wash over you as a chill morning breeze

before the light hits the morning waves

call it chicken skin as your back flesh

responds to the caress of the breeze

there is a tear , perhaps not a dry eye in the house

when george helm falsettos

emma V.'s WAI … KIKI

…ambrose…

we ALL owe it to waikiki.

each and every self satisfied

notion we may entertain

gets taken to ground

when we touch base

at this special localle

17

dude makes me want to go

18

Oh man 'Brose couldn’t be righter- I forgot the Bishop which is a must do- the kahili room, the Tahitian funeral costume, the stone fish god the guy heard calling to him from his yard- if those don’t give you the chicken skin you’re dead. Superb artifacts in the polynesian halls, tattoo equipment and fish hooks unequalled anywhere (except maybe at home in the museum in Auckland NZ.) On a weekend day go down by Kapiolani Park and there’s often a little craft fair, look for a smiling stocky Tongan selling fantastic carved jewellery- his name is Sami and you can buy something as beautiful as anything in the Bishop. The garden courtyard at the Royal Hawaiian has Tiare planted near the doors to the lobby too, so you can have a touch of Tahitian beauty and scent to make the trip even better. I want to go as well!