My name is Tom and I was raised in Connecticut, USA but I’ve lived in Honolulu, HI for the last four years. During my time living in paradise, I’ve still sought other adventures in distant places around the globe, from Costa Rica to Vietnam, Egypt to New Zealand. While that travel has been exciting and glamorous, it often leaves me (and our planet) feeling worn down.
I’ve found recently that I’ve better appreciated the slow and deliberate enjoyment of green spaces, typically in the form of parks around me. Kapiʻolani Park, Honolulu’s largest public park, has become a favorite spot of mine over the years. The park is not particularly remarkable–it’s a large grassy area with some ironwood, monkeypod, and banyan trees, and lots of space for activities. Especially in comparison to some of the exceptional and dazzling sites that the island offers (including active volcanoes, rainforests, hikes along rugged coasts, and more), Kapiʻolani Park is modest. The beauty of it, for me, lies in how easily accessible it is and how it offers a little something for everyone. Many congregate to play organized sports with their friends, ranging from soccer to volleyball to tennis. Others join in on workout classes such as tai chi, Zumba, and acroyoga. Many choose to read or take a nap. Artsier types play music and water paint. The park is a gem of minimally developed land in an otherwise chaotic and bustling tourist epicenter. It’s large enough for anyone to find their own space, while small enough to have chance encounters with friends and family. Kapiʻolani Park offers so much for so many people, and it’s a fantastic spot where I’ve been able to find relaxation and contentment very near to home.
Another mantra of local travel I’ve loved is to watch as many sunrises and sunsets as possible–I’m spoiled to live on Oʻahu, where there are hundreds of gorgeous spots to enjoy both. Still, for others living in landlocked areas or places with decent views only in one direction, watching a sunrise or sunset can be immensely satisfying. The array of colors scattered throughout the sky is stunning. The easy, soft light provides a quiet over the noisier parts of life. The first or last slivers of light give us a chance to more deeply appreciate the day. The randomness of cloud formations and gradients of color throughout the sky reliably inspire awe. It’s cliché but no two sunrises or sunsets are the same, and the differences make them worth watching over and over again. In under 30 minutes of driving, I can get to Waimanalo Beach or Koko Head Crater on the east side of the island and start my day off with a gorgeous sunrise. Then in the evening, I can watch the sunset from Fort DeRussy beach or any number of hikes within 15 minutes of me in Honolulu. After living in Hawaiʻi for four years, I’ve not grown tired of enjoying sunrises and sunsets whenever I have the opportunity.
-Tom Jones
Honolulu, HI
