Read About Oahu, Hawaii

Dan has been living on Oahu since 2007, and Jen joined him there in the summer of 2010. We are planning to leave in May 2011 to begin our global walkabout.

Before that, Jen spent three years on Oahau as a toddler, and Dan spent three years there in the 1980’s.

As places to live go, Oahu doesn’t suck. The weather is almost always good, there’s usable ocean, there are trails to hike, and things to do.

Of course, it has its negatives, too. It has become populated in excess of its infrastructure, the human impact on the oceans is obvious,, and tourism has even overrun the Kailua area on the Windward side, which used to be almost locals-only.

But still, it doesn’t suck as a place to live.

To see Jen’s photographs of Oahu, go to the Refractory Road Flickr site and Jennifer Robin Photography. The links are on the right.

Keaiwa Heiau Trail, Oahu, Hawaii

Keaiwa Heiau Trail, Oahu, Hawaii

We went on a hike on the Keaiwa Heiau Trail, which is also called the Aiea Loop Trail.  It’s a 4-1/2 mile loop that starts and ends at a park located in Aiea Heights, at the upper end of Aiea Heights Road.  It’s a fairly easy trail, without too much up and down by Hawaii standards.  Views are limited, except for […]

Kayaking at Kailua Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

Kayaking at Kailua Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

We took a quick kayak trip today.  Went from our house in Kailua, down the canal to Kailua Beach Park, and from there to Flat Island.  Returned on the same route. Diablo the Chihuahua went along.  It was his first kayak trip, and he took to it like a champ.  I think he has Viking blood (first evidence that the […]

SCUBA Diving at the Fire Station, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

SCUBA Diving at the Fire Station, North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii

We went diving at a location called The Fire Station near the town of Pupukea on the North Shore of Oahu.  It’s called The Fire Station because…well…it’s right next to a fire station.  It’s located right between two other well-known North Shore dive sites — Shark’s Cove and Three Tables. It’s a pretty decent shore dive.  The water is flat […]

Hiking on Maunawili Trail, Oahu, Hawaii

Hiking on Maunawili Trail, Oahu, Hawaii

We went for a hike on the Maunawili Trail. This trail runs about 10 miles from end-to-end — from the vicinity of the Pali Lookout, across the base of the Ko’olau Mountains on the windward (Kailua) side of the island, to the town of Waimanalo.  It also connects with the Maunawili Falls Trail, which “tees” into it about three miles […]

Goat Island, Kuhuku Land Farms, and North Shore SCUBA Dive, Oahu, Hawaii

Goat Island, Kuhuku Land Farms, and North Shore SCUBA Dive, Oahu, Hawaii

Today we went SCUBA diving, again…back to The Fire Station at Pupukea.  Along the way, we stopped at Malaekahana State Recreation Area to have a go at Goat Island. Goat Island is more properly called Moku’auia.  It is located just past the town of La’ie as you head toward Haleiwa along the North Shore.  At low tide, the two hundred […]