Hawai'i
As your plane begins its descent, you lean forward in your seat, hoping to catch a
glimpse of the emerald and iconic volcanic peak known as Diamond Head, rearing
out of the ocean and fringed with white sand. The moment you step off the plane
you know you’ve arrived in the right place – the air is warm and has that languid
feel that you only find in the tropics. Then, as if to reassure you further, you’re
greeted, not by the usual nod from a customs official, but with a brilliant smile and
a welcoming ‘aloha’. It’s a greeting you’ll hear a hundred times a day in Hawai‘i, and
one which you’ll find yourself slipping into your own language as you melt into the
rhythm of the islands. Hello, goodbye, peace, love and happiness – all sentiments
that suit the Hawaiian lifestyle perfectly. With its Polynesian heritage, it’s easy to
imagine that New Zealand would be like this if it had the good fortune to be dragged
a few hundred miles closer to the equator.
It’s the sort of destination that makes you want to try new things. Fancy learning
to surf? You’ll find a beginner-sized wave somewhere on any given day, and there’s
no shortage of patient instructors to get you up and riding. Or learn a new artform
or custom from the Islands of Aloha. The friendly Hawaiian locals will be only too
happy to share their stories and the strong spiritual connection between Hawai‘i
and New Zealand. One thing is certain – on your last night, as you watch the sun sink
into the Pacific, you’ll wish you could dally a little longer.
