At peace with the world... O'ahu in September!

Aloha~

I return to the Mainland this time with mixed feelings.  Each time it seems returning is more difficult, and the 'aloha spirit' stays strong.  My passion for these islands grows bigger every visit.  But always I ask... who will I share this with, who will listen, who will hear me?

Today's travelers like to fancy themselves experts because of a few visits and the internet.  I suppose that I will make a few people angry with that statement.  But if they would only listen, hear what I know, accept what I have learned.  My focus is, and always has been to share.  Share the aloha, share the experiences, share the knowledge.  To be allowed to use these things to help make every person I work with experience Hawaii, get to know Hawaii, understand Hawaii.  Not just go~ stay at 'some' hotel, go to 'a' beach, eat at some luau.  But to see, feel, taste, and love Hawaii in a bigger, more true way.

Okay... my passion and appreciation for these beautiful islands may be too much for some people. But I think most smart travelers today do not just want to plan the 'cheapest trip".  They do really want more than just a ticket, hotel, and time served!  I believe that people truly want to experience something special, unique, and beautiful to bring home and share with their friends and family! They still value the "bragging rights"!  Those experiences are 'here' for the asking!  Special adventures, unique sites, exclusive experiences should come from an expert.

Let me share a perfect example; we spent the day with some very special people, caretakers (if you will) of a sacred place on O'ahu... the He'eia Fish Pond. This water meant for growing fish and feeding these people, combined with the valley above, are rich with over 800 years of story.  We began with a prayer and welcome, asking for the blessing to enter.  This request was repeated again in the valley later that day.  We learned how the ancient people of Hawaii harvested these fish for the people of this valley to eat.  How they combined this bounty with that from the valley above.  How they shared and traded plenty of their own, for that from other valleys.  It was a day of appreciation, learning, and respect.

 

The valley above the He'eia Fish Pond



Now most visitors, even those who have 'been there and done that', would have driven right past this amazing place!  This is what I mean by allowing an expert to share (and plan) truly unique and special experiences for you!

The theme of this trip was actually... food!  We did start in this spectacular and beautiful place.  But we also shared some pretty amazing 'cuisine', with some very famous and very talented chefs!  I won't bore you with a name dropping list.  But instead want to share another truly special and exclusive experience.  His name is Peter Foster, his company is called "Memoirs".  Peter is a phenomenal chef, who has chosen to share his talents in a very different way!  First and very important to him; he works only with local fisherman and farmers, to insure his food is super fresh, and that he knows where is comes from every day!  He then plans your menu, with your preferences of course.  Then for the completely amazing finale... you dine literally where ever you wish!  Chef Peter brings the food, the fine china, and the experience to you!  At a beautiful beach, at your condo, at a hidden plateau in the mountains... where ever you wish!  If you are celebrating an anniversary, birthday, anything ... there simply could not be a more spectacular way to do it!

I hope one day to really find a way to share my passion, my love, my aloha with everyone.  It's hard to put into words sometimes how special these islands are, and what they really mean.  But it is my hope to reach some, with each blog and photo, a little at a time!

With warmest aloha... a few thoughts from this Travel Professional!