Good Bye Hawaii: Our Farewell to Paradise

You'd think we'd feel wistful during our last days in Hawaii. With thoughts of going back to work, the uncertainty of a career change for Dan and reports of the lousy weather we'd be returning to back home in NJ, who could blame us for being glum. AND we were leaving our beloved Hawaii behind.

But, shockingly, our final week wasn't sad at all- it was happy. Our final days simply reminded us of why we went to Hawaii in the first place and why we know we'll return someday.

Why? Certainly we appreciated the beautiful weather we had every day in the islands. And we couldn't get enough of all the local activities available to us, not to mention the wide array of cuisines there for the sampling.

But in the end it's the time we spent with other people that we'll treasure most.

We joined our dear friends Tammy and Mark for a delicious dinner at Roy's to celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary. And spent a long evening joking around with their kids as we savored the amazing food. We also toasted to the opening of their brand new medical practice.

How could we be sad in the midst of so much excitement and joy? Somehow we even felt cheerful as the waiter brought out the bon voyage dessert. We all smiled knowingly around the table, because we'd just been talking about when we were coming back!



Patricia and Marissa, our friends from Austria, kept us laughing and filled our last days in Hawaii with adventure. It was fun seeing our favorite places on Oahu through their eyes. There's nothing quite like showing people around to remind you why you love a spot in the first place.


Having Marissa and Patricia with us gave us a good excuse to go see the turtles at Laniakea Beach, on the north shore of Oahu- something we'd never made time for before. We all got a thrill watching the peaceful honu slumbering the afternoon away.


Granted, our last few days did involve tying up some loose ends before we could go home. But through it all, we knew this wasn't really good-bye. And in some sense we felt like we were taking part of Hawaii home with us for good.

Even when we returned our friend Carol's surfboard, our trusty companion during countless hours of surfing, we felt more excitement than regret. It only reminded us that in a matter of days we would see Carol herself, back on the tennis courts in New Jersey.

We said good-bye to our comfortable condo, our home away from home for so many weeks. We sure were going to miss those views! Mike, our local real estate agent and friend, gave us a hearty sendoff. And we agreed to look his brother up in NYC, once we got home.


We'll never forget the wonderful people we met in Hawaii and the good times we shared with them. Nor the stunning natural beauty that is part of the fabric of daily life there. We knew we'd found a true gem in these islands, a constantly surprising and unique place that feels like a second home.

So it didn't really feel like good-bye when we finally drove off to the airport Sunday afternoon. It's only a temporary departure. We know deep down we'll be back soon.

A hui hou, as they say in Hawaii. Until we meet again.