Yes, it's been almost a month since I posted, but I have a very good reason. From Aug. 31st to Sept. 14th I was in Hawaii, and while I brought my computer, I knew there was no guarantee of internet access and didn't care. I only wanted it as a file backup and an easier way to weed my pictures for my digital camera since I knew the scenery would be the star.

I was right. The only places I've ever been that were vaguely tropical are Jamaica and Miami, but this really was something not related to anything I've seen in the United States or Caribbean. Hawaii is incredibly unique since every island is volcanic, whether the volcano is extinct, dormant, or active. As a result, each has completely different flora depending on if they're on the windward or leeward side, which can vary the rainfall by hundreds of inches a year on each side of the island! In addition, because the entire composition of the islands is igneous rock, it nurtures completely different ecosystems from the clay and sandy soil I grew up with on the east coast.

We also were incredibly lucky since 3 hurricanes had just missed the islands (and Jimena was still stalled off the north coast of Kauai). We were the first cruise in a month not to have to reroute due to the weather, but that didn't deter constant high surf warnings and some strange weather which took some adjusting. There was basically a permanent forecast of no trade winds, 89 degree heat, 90% humidity, 90% of mountain cloud building post-noon, and chance of showers or downpours (aka 20% in the morning, just about 80-100% by noon or afterward) that we powered through every day to try and see everything.

That wasn't too much of a problem for me since I'd rather hike inland than jump in the ocean and snorkel; it just led to even more awesome morning photo ops of the beach and surfers from the larger waves, although the boat rocking when at sea got a little disturbing at times :). It also meant that the extra rain on the leeward sides of the islands where the plants normally would be brown and dry this time of year were still green instead, lending more of a Hawaii spring feel to my photos, as well as stimulating the waterfall flows more than normal. As for hikes, bringing more drinking water and secure shoes answered the heat, humidity, and occasional rain.

We even managed to successfully see two of our 5 must-dos on our second try, which would have been our last chances since we only stayed 1-2 days in each place. The Arizona Memorial launch was originally canceled by a thunderstorm and the Kauai Na Pali helicopter was too cloudy on the first day with visibility below 800 ft, but we got to do both of them by getting up at 5am on the rescheduled days to make sure we had good weather. 

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20150902_Ignacio_Jimena_Kilo_bring_surf_muggy_weather_to_Hawaii.html?id=323950001

In semi-chronological order I had the privilege to experience:

- The sunrise light in Waikiki, a fantastic sunset there, Zoo, Aquarium, and the ever-present surfers.
- Listening to Cyril Pahinui and his band, a legendary Hawaiian musician carrying on his father's legacy at Kani Ka Pila Grille at the Outrigger Reef in Waikiki.
- Pearl Harbor, and not just the Arizona, but the Mighty Mo, Pacific Aviation Museum, the Bowfin, and the un-advertised Afghanistan boots on the ground (look it up). Missed the USS Utah though :(.
- Punchbowl Crater, Hawaii's equivalent of Arlington Cemetery.
-  Polynesian Cultural Center (oddly sponsored by BYU, but very interesting).
- the Jurassic World cliffs on Oahu and Chinaman's Hat, along with sea turtles on a catamaran ride across Kane'ohe Bay, which is actually a caldera that blew out its north side a very long time ago.
- the Road to Hana driven by my father (brave man), and the subsequent miles on an even more harrowing road to the Kipahalu part of Haleakala Park.
- the hike through a one mile bamboo forest, only to look up once we emerge and see a 400 ft. waterfall called Waimoku Falls waiting for us.
- Being above the clouds at the summit of Haleakala itself
- Iao Valley and the history behind it.
- Walking on a lava flow from 1974, through a lava tube, and smelling the toxic sulfur dioxide from an active volcano at Volcanoes National Park.
- Taking an ATV to hike the waterfall cascades outside of Kohala.
- Flying the Na Pali coast in a helicopter; the Jurassic Park falls are just a teaser to what you will see.
- Cruising past the Na Pali coast to see a glorious rainbow appear over the sea and in front of the coast.
- Watching the sun rise between Diamond Head and Waikiki as we came back into harbor.

I don't think I would go back since I accomplished 95% of what I would do in Hawaii, and certainly wouldn't move there, but it was fantastic and an experience I wouldn't trade for the world.