#ThisDiva Meets Uncle Duane

Last Thursday, I was invited to have dinner with friends at an Uncle Duane's house. Yes, just Uncle Duane. My escort happens to be a lifelong friend of Uncle Duane - whom I had never heard of until I received  the invitation. Apparently, it's a rare occasion that he's in town and he's renting a must-see house in Honolulu. So around 6:00pm we approached the house on top of Mount Tantalus - and I knew then that I was in for a spectacular evening. 

It was an acre of land sitting near the top of the mountain. The property covered with fragrant native Hawaiian flowers and a humungous mountain apple tree bursting with thousands of tiny red treats. As we walked past the house towards the lanai, it's now obvious what the main attraction truly is. Nowhere else in O'ahu can someone have this view from their home other than here. It was a stunning uninterrupted view of all of southern O'ahu from Diamond Head to Ewa. A truly breathtaking view as we watched the sun set over the city and the sparkling lights began their evening dance.

What was equally amazing was Uncle Duane himself! It's more common now to meet people who travel the remote corners of the world and even take year long sabbaticals to travel at their heart's delight - what I like to call Eat, Pray, Love Syndrome - but I personally had never met such a person until now. Uncle Duane has been roaming the world 365 days a year continent by continent, country by country and city by city for more than a decade and never visiting the same destination twice...#ThisDivaIsImpressed - and slightly jealous. Ok...a lot jealous!

At around 40 years old, Uncle Duane had an epiphany. He realized that he wanted to spend his life enjoying life and all the things that brought him happiness :: seeing the world, meeting people and simplicity. He spends three months in each city before moving on to the next - renting homes like these through the internet at an unbelievable bargain. He could easily start the year in Pokhara, Nepal and end it in Fortaleza, Brazil - taking with him nothing, but a carry-on sized suitcase that fits everything he owns. 

Remarkable. Astounding. Here is a man who has taken the ultimate risk of leaving comfort and convenience behind to literally experience every inch of this beautiful planet. It made me stop and think, "would I ever have the guts or money to do that?" I wish I did. And someday I wish I do. But for now, I'll take this time to explore this new place I call home and appreciate this view that so few people have the privilege to experience.

A hui hou!

#ThisDiva Becomes a Beach Bum!

So now we're five months into my new life adventure here in Hawai'i and I've learned "When in Rome"..! It's pretty obvious why so many people have started relocating to Hawai'i in droves...it's because Hawai'i offers you an amazing quality of life - if for you that includes doing outdoor activities year round. 

As for me, I was never ever the outdoorsy type and that was definitely not my reason for making the move. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a rooftop brunch and park picnic as much as the next, but to be perfectly honest, I am someone who definitely doesn't need to tan and so I've always tried to avoid being out in the sun too much!

But like I said, "When in Rome!" I've already taken up hiking which was a huge shock to me given it combines the outdoors AND exercise - but I love getting to explore parts of the island that are hidden down wooded paths or on top of a rocky mountain trail.

But I'm now adding Beach Bum to my roster! What started as an after work sunset stroll and occassional weekend excursion, has now become a Saturday ritual...exploring one beach at a time!

This weekend we came across a slighly hidden and beautifully relaxed beach in North Shore...and it's one of many on my list of beaches to explore. From Waimanalo to Makaha, there's a lot of coastline to cover on this tiny island and I look forward to basking in the sun...with the appropriate sunscreen of course!

A hui hou!

#ThisDiva's memorable Memorial Day

Don't let the palm trees and sunshine fool you! The state motto maybe "Hang Loose", but there is still a whole lot of hustle and bustle here in Hawai'i. Now that I've become more settled in work, have made more new friends and establishing more of a life here - there's just a lot a girl's gotta do!

I've spent the last few weeks over-extending myself both professionally and socially so it was nice to have a three day weekend and to celebrate and remember our soldiers over this Memorial Day. In Honolulu, there's a particularly special  tradition of decorating and releasing lighted floating lanterns into the open water. 

These lanterns represent not only those lost in service, but a way to remember and honor any loved one who is no longer with us. The entire Lantern Floating Hawai'i festival is so thoughtful and moving  - and I encourage everyone to experience this at least once.

Tens of thousands of people find themselves on Magic Island with lanterns in hand. Some decorated with pictures of those remembered while others are covered with loving words or adorned with leis...to each his/her own.

But it's the love and gratitude that we have for those that have gone on that bring people together on this day and share in each other's stories and memories. 

So on this day, I thank all of those who fight and who have fought - especially to those who have fought and given their lives for the freedoms of this country - "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."

A hui hou.

#ThisDiva Plays Tour Guide!

It's a little surprising that it took four months for me to have my first houseguests descend from the mainland. Not surprising at all that my first two guests actually overlapped this weekend...but you can never be surrounded by too many great friends! 

It's a great thing to have friends and family visit who have never before set foot on the island. It gives you the opportunity to explore areas and places you wouldn't normally find yourself. How many years did I live in NYC and the only times I would visit the Empire State Building, The Brooklyn Bridge, The Statue of Liberty, Museum of Natural History or hundreds of other iconic NYC landmarks unless I was playing tour guide to my guests. And when you see them - I mean stop and really pay attention - you remember how awesome it is to live in such an eclectic city filled with new adventures around every corner  - and realize that on even your best days, you take it for granted.

I must admit, having lived here for only four months I felt like I was playing more tour"ist" than tour "guide", but #ThisDivaTries and sometimes #ThisDivaEpicallyFails, but not this time!

We did the typical Waikiki thing, which don't me wrong - was awesome! We managed to beat the crowds since this time of year isn't really peak tourist season...and we scored big at the Sheraton Waikiki. Tip to locals and visitors: you can lay in a hammock, take a dip in the infinity pool or read a book tucked away in your private cabana...all while overlooking the ocean and view of Diamond Head...and non-hotel guests are welcomed!

We also took it to the road and drove around the island making pit stops to snorkel at Haunama Bay, take pictures of Chinaman's Hat and of course EAT - where we stopped off at one of the many shrimp trucks on North Shore side. We even managed to fit in some shopping at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet to buy local gifts and treats to take back home.

 The weather wasn't always sunshine and rainbows, but even when it rained we managed to find the perfect hole-in-the-wall spot to take refuge and have the time of our lives!

#ThisDiva is Obsessed!

Happy May Day! For those of you who don't know, May Day is Lei Day in Hawai'i. It's a day of festivities, music and flowers...lots and lots of beautiful flowers strung in single and double strand leis. I admit that I didn't celebrate in your typical Hawai'i fashion, but I did manage to continue a new hobby - or should I say "obsession"!

I said hiking would become a standard in my new life here in Hawai'i, but this makes hike #3 in a week since Makapu'u - and #ThisDivaIsLovingIt! 

Keeping true to "living" life in Hawai'i, I made sure to wrap things up at the office by 5pm and hit the trails. Today's adventure took us to Keaiwa Heiau State Park for the 4.8 mile hike on the Aiea Loop Trail. There's no excuse when it's within 6 miles from my office and less than 3 miles from home - buns of steel, here I come!

There may not be vast ocean views on this trail, but there's no shortage of gorgeous scenes of lush greenery on-top of this mountain. It's so captivating you'll have to force yourself to watch your step on the bumpy and sometimes narrow pathway...you might want to bring a friend along just in case!

How in the world do I live here?! Paradise in the middle of the Pacific and a new adventure around every corner. Today officially makes four months that I've called Hawai'i home and I've been falling in love more and more each day. I'm looking forward to discovering what else is tucked away on this island...and sharing it along the way!

A hui hou!

#ThisDiva Takes a Hike!

It's 6:00am on a Sunday morning and there's a handful of eager hikers on the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail. Some are here to get in their daily workout and the rest just to take in the view...as for me...it's a combination of both. After nearly four months on the island, I've gained more weight than I dare admit in writing...between the poke bowls, poi donuts, manapuas and malasadas...#ThisDivaIsEatingHerWayThroughParadise! But I digress.

It's one of the easier trails on the island - so I've been told since this is my first hike EVER! It's a quick 15-20 minutes to the end of the trail on a wide paved road so amateur hikers welcomed! And even if the 100% uphill hike is a stretch, I promise you won't even notice when you're surrounded by the absolutely breathtaking views.

 

Today had a slight overcast and it even sprinkled a bit throughout our trek and yet it still managed to take my breath away.

Although I usually consider a 3-hour trek through a mall as the extent of my hiking, I'm convinced that these types of excursions will now become a staple in my weekend repertoire. Besides, why bother living in paradise unless you try to uncover every beautiful thing it has to offer!

A hui hou!

#ThisDiva + Bruno Mars = Best Birthday!

To be perfectly honest, I'm not one who frequents popular live concerts. I blame it on my years of Opera training and having to diligently stay clear of loud venues and events...but every so often (and more so now that I'm no longer marathon singing), I'm here...and loving it! 

And what woman wouldn't want to bring in her Birthday being serenaded by the sexy and talented Bruno Mars?! I mean, really?! And not just any concert, but an epic 3-day tour in the city where it all started - Hawai'i! Amazeballs! Yes, I said, "Amazeballs!"

The energy and excitement of the night warped me back in time to my first concert ever :: Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation Tour...my adolescence idol next to Cyndi Lauper and Madonna.  And Bruno's throwback covers of 80's and 90's R&B faves took me back to my love affair with Boyz 2 Men...that fourteen year old girl was never the same. 

But tonight was special and is another night to add to the list of nights to remember. I'm all about celebrating Birthdays with a bang and they just keep getting better! So here's to another great year hopefully to be filled with more adventures, laughs, good music and maybe even a few more sexy serenades!

A hui hou!