100 Things That Happened To Me While Living In Hawaii

UPDATED MAR 2020. By now you guys know the story of how I came to live in Hawaii. Unfortunately, my time in that beautiful island paradise has come to an end. When I think about it, I can’t believe I lived there for three years – where did the time go? What a big adventure it was though. I was reflecting on my time while I was journaling and I made this list of 100 wonderful things that happened to me while living in Hawaii. At first, I thought, ‘Don’t post that Katie, it just sounds like you’re bragging’. The idea nagged at me though, and I usually post the ideas that linger in my little brain. 

100 Things That Happened To Me While Living In Hawaii

It kept coming up because I see a lot of negativity and complaints from people who are living in Hawaii temporarily, usually after being sent here with the military.

I used to hear all the same things when I lived in Darwin, which is where I lived before moving to the US.

I can absolutely understand why someone wouldn’t like these places. We all have our differences and enjoy different things. That makes complete sense.

The part I don’t understand is why you would spend the amount of time you have living in these places whinging and complaining about how you don’t like it or how it is not like your home.

I will never see value in that mentality.

Take Darwin for example. I moved there because after University I accepted a job offer that I couldn’t turn down.

Darwin wasn’t exactly my ‘cup of tea’ per se, but I made the choice to accept the job so I was going to make the most of my time there. Darwin had really beautiful places to offer and fun adventures to be had, I just had to be open to finding them.

It turned out to be a great experience!

Hawaii was a lot easier for me because it combines a lot of things I love (definitely my ‘cup of tea’). I arrived with an open mind to enjoy my new home and it too has been full of great experiences!

Actually, in a sense, the list I am sharing is irrelevant. The main lesson is that if I focused on the negative aspects of living there, then I would not be able to write this today. It would have been a miserable experience.

I just hope this post inspires someone out there to know that if you are open to experiencing the good in life, even if you are in a situation that may not be your ‘cup of tea’, you will create a better experience.

Life is what you make it.

1. I went cliff diving.
2. I stood by ancient ruins.
3. I was inspired by countless people.
4. I had a unique photo shoot with Venture Hawaii.
5. I was married on a beautiful beach.
6. I was constantly inspired by talented creatives.
7. I fell in love with watching the sunrise.
8. I adopted my two princess dogs.
9. I went island hopping 6 times.
10. I had a staycation at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and explored Oahu.
11. I improved my hiking ability (something that scares me).
12. I devoured a whole lot of refreshing shave ice.
13. I went on a Jeep adventure tour with The Real Hawaii.
14. I was rejected by people which led me to meet a close circle of friends.
15. I was constantly restored and renewed by nature.
16. I stood under cascading waterfalls.
17. I explored ocean caves.
18. I feasted at a Luau.
19. I was left speechless by the beauty of the island… many times!
20. I stayed at the luxurious Turtle Bay Resort.
21. I watched talented Hula dancers perform.
22. I hiked to the top of mountains.
23. I hiked deep into jungles and valleys.
24. I did nightly workouts at my favorite gym – the beach.
25. I strolled through world-famous Waikiki.
26. I found serenity at the Byodo-Inn Temple.
27. I enjoyed the many farmer’s markets on the island.
28. I went stand up paddle boarding on the ocean.
29. I set up my hammock just about everywhere.
30. I went kayaking.
31. I took a history lesson at Pearl Harbor.
32. I saw the epic North Shore winter swell and Pipeline surf competition.
33. I ate the most delicious Acai bowls.
34. I cruised on the most scenic coastal drives.
35. I set up ‘camp pineapple‘ on the best camping trips of my life.
36. I swam with wild dolphins.
37. I fostered a bunch of animals.
38. I welcomed my husband to our first home after deployment.
39. I conquered a fear of horses on a trail ride.
40. I started my blog to connect with others – here’s a guide on how to start your own.
41. I saw whale watching for free all whale season.
42. I held a Tako (Octopus).
43. I chased adventure and new experiences.
44. I swam with sharks.
45. I enjoyed the simple beauties of life.
46. I ate Poke and loved it.
47. I saw the sky on fire in some awe-inspiring sunsets.
48. I swam with turtles.
49. I ate the delicious Malasadas (they should be sold worldwide!)
50. I was constantly challenged and inspired.
51. I went ziplining on the North Shore.
52. I swam with one HUGE Eagle Ray and a bunch of regular size ones.
53. I learned about a beautiful, rich culture.
54. I experienced some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
55. I ate the freshest fruit and drank the sweetest fresh coconuts.
56. I went underwater rock running.
57. I lived by the beach, listening to the ocean waves each night.
58. I gained confidence by constantly challenging myself.
59. I made a fresh flower crown at a local workshop.
60. I climbed the Koko Head stairs of doom.
61. I gained an incredible amount of respect for the island and Earth in general.
62. I explored ‘secret’ treasures of the island.
63. I stood in a volcanic crater.
64. I saw the breathtaking Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
65. I had back to back surgeries and the best rehab ever of chilling at the beaches.
66. I swam in dreamy tide pools.
67. I collected a bunch of sea glass.
68. I became obsessed with pineapples.
69. I saw (and swam with) Hawaiian Monk Seals.
70. I improved my photography skills.
71. I went on a tubing adventure in the jungle.
72. I was able to share my love of the island with others.
73. I adjusted to the new way of speaking (American slang & island slang) through a lot of awkward encounters.
74. I learned valuable lessons like don’t fall asleep on the beach (after doing so and getting the worst sunburn of my life).
75. I ate amazing seafood from trucks on the side of the road.
76. I saw happy families sharing time camping at the beach which will always be one of the most inspiring things I’ve seen.
77. I volunteered my time at an animal shelter.
78. I taught myself how to drive on the opposite side of the road.
79. I lived in the here and now.
80. I saw the yearly beauty of the mountain apple turning the ground pink.
81. I created fire magic with steel wool.
82. I fell in love with mountain views.
83. I soaked in the relaxing Kaneohe Sandbar vibes.
84. I had the best adventure dates with my husband.
85. I played in treehouses and on swings.
86. I auditioned for Hawaii 5-0.
87. I hiked to historic pillboxes.
88. I took cultural lessons on weaving leaves.
89. I  rented cruiser bicycles and cycled in style.
90. I saw the King Kamehameha statue.
91. I swam in a volcanically heated spring.
92. I sparked an interest in yoga.
93. I saw a gazillion rainbows and took a photo almost every time!
94. I played on black, gold and green sand beaches.
95. I watched an opera show.
96. I cruised around Molokai in a rented U-haul van.
97. I stood at the southernmost point in the USA.
98. I did my own beach cleanups during outings and dive sessions.
99. I took a tour at Kualoa Ranch.
100. I eliminated anything toxic and surrounded myself with positive, inspiring people.

Relatable: Oahu Tourist Bucket List – The Ultimate List Of Things You Just Can’t Miss

I was scratched, bruised, stung, bitten, I slipped, I fell, I was covered in salt, sand, and mud. I was scared, I was brave. I was alone, I was with friends, I even got a little time with my husband.

I have grown, developed, laughed and cried and most of all I had the time of my life!

I really believe that life is what you make it and I hope this can help you to make the most of your life, wherever you are in the world.

And a big thank you to all of you guys who read my little blog or like my social media posts. However, you have engaged with me, I hope you know that I think it’s awesome that we’ve been able to connect through this platform.

Thank you for sharing the adventure of living in Hawaii with me and I hope we can stay in contact (& I hope you post lots of Hawaii pics so I can reminisce over them!)