Island Reflections: Oahu and Beyond
What is it about these root systems that sock us in the figurative solar plexus? Only Mother Nature can make a tree—probably because it's so hard to figure out how to get the bark on.
Corporation Oahu is still a goldmine for romantic travel writers, sentimental videographers, bar-room bloggers, semi-literate tourists, sociologists, U of H Ph.D. students, sailing evangelists, and NGO experts. It’s a place where the layers of history, culture, and commercialization intertwine. Oahu offers a complex intersection of nature, commerce, and myth, constantly inviting reflection on our relationship with both the land and its commercialization.
"What is it about these root systems that sock us in the figurative solar plexus?"
At ABC (Aloha Bring Cash), the merchants of Paradise offer souvenir kitsch—these are the memes (thought viruses) for sale. From the hilariously romantic posters to the pseudo-scholarly trinkets, and even the infuriatingly racist postcards. You can find everything from the noble savage literary school to Margaret Mead’s studies on coming-of-age rituals, Somerset Maugham’s tales of puritan missionaries and saintly whores, and James Michener’s rascals and golden people. All these images converge around one central idea—the island tree, which symbolizes the complexity of life itself. If only I could construct the remains of the day in such a fashion. Volcanic fog, or Vog, is in the air today, and this is Pele—no, not the Brazilian soccer legend—but the Hawaiian goddess of fire, volcanoes, and destruction. It's an atmosphere filled with both mystery and raw power.
At night, the red glare from the volcano was visible from seven miles at sea. We used to sail past it in the dark, witnessing this powerful force of nature, a slumbering volcano wreathed in clouds, occasionally emitting smoke and fire. And me, like a soothsayer, trying to interpret its messages. But the only thing I know for sure is that you can’t win against a volcano. There’s a humbling power in that unpredictability.
Making Waves on the Island of Oahu
There’s a simple truth about island living: the way to ‘get there’ is simply to ‘be there.’ It’s that straightforward. There’s no need for a roadmap or a destination—just embrace the moment and the journey unfolds. The island doesn’t care where you came from or where you’re going, it only asks that you’re present. The power of presence is often underestimated, yet it’s the essence of living in harmony with the world around us.
"This is just like television, only you can see much further." – Chancey Gardener
Oahu, like many of the islands, offers a unique sense of space and time. It’s a place that demands you to slow down, listen, and become part of the landscape. The trees, the ocean, the air—they all have stories to tell. Whether it's the surf crashing on the shore or the ancient chants whispered by the wind through the trees, Oahu invites you to connect with something bigger than yourself. It's this connection that draws you in, weaving you into the fabric of the island’s timeless rhythm.
The Tour: An Adventure in Hawaii
The Tour: An Adventure in Hawaii
When I first considered life as a sailor, the glamour seemed like something out of a movie: "Repaint your entire house every month," and "Live in a dumpster for six months." But my journey began differently, on a cruise ship with America Hawaii Cruises. It wasn’t about the glamour; it was about the experience.
I took the first job I could get: a deckhand. Seven days at sea, each day bringing us to a different port of call. Our adventure started at Aloha Towers in Honolulu, followed by a sea day, and then stops in Kauai, Maui (Lahaina and Kahalui), Hilo, and Kona. Each stop was better than the last.
The weather was always perfect—temperate and refreshing. But it wasn’t just the weather that made this journey unforgettable; it was the culture, the food, the people, and the ohana (family) atmosphere that welcomed me with open arms. From that moment, I knew I was hooked on these beautiful islands.
The Definition of Ecstasy
Ecstasy, in its truest sense, is stepping out of the routine, away from the ordinary and into something extraordinary. In Hawaii, shoveling sunshine and breathing in the tropical air beats any day spent behind a desk. It’s an experience that doesn’t need to be imagined—it simply needs to be lived.
Living an Adventure
There’s something uniquely fulfilling about true travel—living in the moment and embracing adventure. I’ve come to realize that travel by proxy is like a surrogate achievement. It’s akin to feeling athletic after watching a game at a sports bar and taking a victory lap. You’re a legend in your own mind, but it’s not real.
The true sin is not greed, as Gordon Gekko famously said. No, the unpardonable sin is a life devoid of adventure—a life lived by the rules, ideas, and expectations of others. A life that never dares to ask, “What have I gotten myself into?” A life where you’re simply going through the motions. That’s the real crime.
An adventure isn’t always glamorous or perfectly planned. Sometimes, the best stories come from moments of chaos and spontaneity. The holy grail isn’t a shiny object or a status symbol; it’s about living out your dreams authentically, creating your own path, and saying yes to the unknown.
The Adventure Awaits
Every time you step out into the world, you open yourself up to the unexpected. What starts as an ordinary decision—like taking a job as a deckhand—can transform into a journey of a lifetime. The key is to follow your own path, even if it’s not what others expect.
In Hawaii, I learned that the real treasure is not the destinations, but the moments of connection, the people you meet, and the experiences you collect along the way. For me, that’s where the magic lies.
The Quest for Meaning in the Islands
The search for purpose, for understanding, often leads us to these islands. Perhaps it's because, like the ancient trees, we too must weather storms, stretch our roots, and grow in unpredictable ways. Or maybe it’s the stillness of the ocean that reminds us that even in chaos, there’s a rhythm. A cosmic rhythm that ties us all together. This is what I call the Cosmic Cartography of life. It's the idea that we navigate our world not with maps but through experiences and connections that align with the energy of the universe.
Whether it's the tropical breeze of Oahu or the cool fog of Alaska, nature always has a way of grounding us, even when we feel like we're adrift in the vastness of life. These islands, with their ancient volcanic origins and unpredictable weather patterns, offer us more than just a place to visit—they offer a mirror to our own internal landscapes, inviting us to reflect, adapt, and grow.
“The way to ‘get there’ is to ‘be there.’ It’s that simple.”
In the end, the quest for understanding isn't just about seeking knowledge; it's about learning to be present, to tune in to the rhythm of life, and to embrace each moment as it unfolds. The islands teach us that the journey is more important than the destination, and that being in tune with the world around us is where true peace and fulfillment are found.
