10 things you just gotta do while stationed in Hawaii (in no particular order)
- Explore all sides of the island – venture beyond your neighborhood and take advantage of all the different and amazing areas of Oahu
- Meet people outside of the military – Hawaii is the easiest place to make new friends and the people are some of the nicest on earth.
- Eat as many poke bowls and acai bowls as possible – they just don’t compare on the mainland, no matter how hard they try.
- Watch the sun set as often as you can. It never gets old. Wait until you see how many “locals” still stop to appreciate the sun setting over the ocean. This was one of the most inspiring things I witnessed. #luckywelivehawaii is a hashtag for a reason.
- Discover a favorite beach – and don’t tell anyone where it is
- Hike. ALL. THE. TIME. There are hundreds of options. All levels for all abilities. Google.
- Travel to the neighbor islands
- Drink all the Kona Big Waves, preferably on a beach, preferably with friends
- Get in the water – learn to surf, stand-up-paddle board, snorkel, scuba, whatever. You will forever be grossed out by not being able to see your feet back on mainland beaches. I’m ruined for life.
- Participate in a community event – there are so many runs, festivals, walks, beach clean-ups, etc. Sounds high-horsey and do-good-ery, but it’s one of the best ways to meet people, and it’s a great way to show appreciation to the community that you are lucky to be a part of. Help keep Hawaii as amazing as it currently is for a long, long time.
Jelly Side Up 