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Life on a Rock... Part 1 (6 part series)

By
Industry Observer with The Wine Siren & Agent Caffeine

 

                                                                                                                   

On the island of Oahu we have a 122 miles of shoreline around our island.  Our average temperature is 85 degrees year round and our biggest insect is a cockroach. My favorite creature in Hawaii is a Gecko and it looks nothing like the Geico gecko.   My island is comprised of many different enthnicities and is one of the most remarkable melting pots in the United States.  We have some of the best water quality in the world and the cleanest air around due to the tradewinds that keep our island breezes flowing.

Just a few fun facts...

Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world (but there are many others you've never heard of).  Waikiki and nearby Ala Moana are home to some of the best shopping in the world - with world class European, Asian and Mainland retailers here.  We have an incredibly high concentration of world class restaurants and it is difficult to be without something phenomenal to do. 

Diamond Head is one of world's most recognized landmarks.  We are the only state to have had a monarchy.  The favorite destination of islanders is LA$ VEGAS and the California Hotel is probably the most frequented by Hawaii residents ... Our island is home to over 900,000 residents which is more than 72% of the entire state.

I have lived in many parts of this island in the close to 30 years since I first arrived in Honolulu.  My first job was in Waikiki where, just out of high school, I sold suntan lotion on the beach (to large pink tourists) in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel (the large pink hotel) while trying to determine what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I became part of the culture of the beach scene way back when, learning to surf from a famed surfer and jumping in an outrigger canoe often to help out and paddle when the Waikiki beachboys were short a paddling tourist. I never became a good surfer because the rate of speed you could travel on a surf board was faster than that of my former main mode of transportation, the skateboard.  But I loved to catch a wave on the canoe.

Our neighborhoods are an example of our diversity here.  Each little enclave has a unique quality, a different micro-climate, a different flavor and lifestyle.  From East Oahu to Downtown Honolulu there are more than 30 different neighborhoods and without living here you might not notice the nuances that make them different, but travel with someone who knows the area and a whole new world opens up to you. 

I'd like to share a little bit each week and take you on a trip to Oahu, without the jet lag to some of the diverse neighborhoods and share information including:

1)  Thinking about Relocating to Hawaii? 

2)  Purchasing a Home, Fee Simple or Leasehold

3)  Investing in Waikiki 

4)  What a $Million gets you on Oahu 

5)  Military in Hawaii - getting acclimated

6)  Top Five Places to Live on Oahu (in my humble opinion)

Living on a little rock in the Pacific is an incredible experience.  It is a place that has captivated and changed me forever.

I am taking a poll... Have you ever decorated something other than a traditional Christmas Tree for the holiday?

 

 

 

Comments (9)

Karen Hurst
RICOASTALLIVING.COM - Warwick, RI
Rhode Island Waterfront!

Kelly,

Excellent post about your hometown. I look forward to reading the future blogs in your series. Very interesting and makes me want to go there.

Nov 01, 2006 10:05 PM
Kelly Mitchell
The Wine Siren & Agent Caffeine - Napa, CA
TheWineSiren.com Food | Wine | Fab *Napa Valley

Hi Karen, thanks for the comment .  I am happy to share!

Mahalo!

Nov 02, 2006 03:36 AM
Jessica Hughes
Ambiance Staging - Boulder, CO

Hey Karen,

I look forward to reading more....

I have never decorated with anything besides a tree for christmas, though for many years my family didn't 'do' a tree. 

We always had lasagna for christmas dinner and went skiing on thanksgiving day (no crowds) ;)

Nov 02, 2006 04:31 PM
Kelly Mitchell
The Wine Siren & Agent Caffeine - Napa, CA
TheWineSiren.com Food | Wine | Fab *Napa Valley
Hi Jessica,  Now the lasagna dinner is new to me.  I do miss skiing.  Hopefully this winter after X-mas I'll get to ride some frozen waves... Good to hear from you, Karen (Kelly's evil twin ;>)
Nov 02, 2006 04:34 PM
Jessica Hughes
Ambiance Staging - Boulder, CO
WOW, Karen I didn't know you had a twin sister!  Is she in real estate too? ;)  Sorry about that, it was REALLY LATE!
Nov 04, 2006 03:55 PM
Kelly Mitchell
The Wine Siren & Agent Caffeine - Napa, CA
TheWineSiren.com Food | Wine | Fab *Napa Valley

See the blogging can be addicting.  We're up at all hours writing lord knows what!  Good to have you as an associate Ms. Jessica!

Nov 04, 2006 07:29 PM
Toby Barnett
KW North Sound - Marysville, WA
Toby Barnett

Oahu is a beautiful island. A few years ago a friend and I made our way over there and stayed on Waikiki beach. We hiked Diamond head, rode our high power mopeds to Pearl Harbor and even swam with a Giant See Turtle on the North Eastern beach of island. We also visited the North Shore to check out the surfing...ah now i am just reminicing :) Great local post Kelly.

Oh yea, I am going back this summer when my cousin graduates college :) maybe we can have an ActiveRain there.

Nov 05, 2006 07:41 AM
Kelly Mitchell
The Wine Siren & Agent Caffeine - Napa, CA
TheWineSiren.com Food | Wine | Fab *Napa Valley

Hi Toby,

Thanks for dropping in.  Make sure and drop me a line when you hit the rock.  Look forward to having you back on Oahu.

Mui Aloha

Nov 05, 2006 01:25 PM
Toby Barnett
KW North Sound - Marysville, WA
Toby Barnett
Will do Kelly :)
Nov 07, 2006 04:42 AM