| Why is it that many people think of Hawaii as the | | | | while it rises or sets. Also, the stars do not shine as |
| perfect location both for a vacation and to reside in? | | | | bright as they do back at home. In fact, you were |
| Being born and raised in Hawaii, I have thought about | | | | fortunate if you could count the stars in the sky and |
| the above question more than a few times. It was | | | | they numbered more than the number of fingers on |
| not until I traveled abroad that I realized how great | | | | your hands. |
| these islands really are. Like every where else, life in | | | | As great and majestic as New York City is, nothing is |
| Hawaii has its ups and downs, but altogether I have | | | | really as spectacular as a Hawaiian sunrise or sunset. |
| come to appreciate the place that I call home. | | | | If you have ever had the chance to lie on the beach |
| The Sunrise and Sunset | | | | in the evening after a day of surfing, and gaze into |
| Much like many things in life, the perceived value of | | | | the sky as the sun appears to sink beneath the |
| objects goes down when they are always readily | | | | ocean, you know my sentiments exactly. |
| available to you. It is not until these things are taken | | | | The Country and the City |
| away that you understand just how precious they | | | | Honolulu city lights do not quite match up to the city |
| are. | | | | light of Las Vegas or Times Square, but Downtown |
| If you have ever watched the sunrise in the wee | | | | Honolulu has a city-like atmosphere nonetheless. The |
| hours of the morning on the top of Mount Haleakala | | | | wonderful thing about living on Oahu is having the |
| over on the island of Maui, or even watched the | | | | city and the country so close together that it is like |
| sunset while on the west coach of any of the islands | | | | having your cake and eating it too. When I get tired |
| while you are being extra careful not to blink for fear | | | | of the city and the hustle and bustle of town, old |
| of missing the elusive green flash, you know that | | | | Haleiwa town is just a couple of hours away where I |
| these events are truly breathtaking. However, if you | | | | can relax and enjoy a slower pace as I gather my |
| are able to see them just about everyday, you may | | | | thoughts at the beach. |
| take them for granted. | | | | Those were just a few of the countless things that I |
| Not too long ago, I was able to visit the great state | | | | have come to appreciate about Hawaii. It is |
| of New York. New York City was definitely a sight | | | | interesting when you are able to gain a different |
| to see. The bright lights of Times Square with its | | | | perspective of your normal and routine life. It really |
| countless shops and crowds of people was a lot to | | | | does not matter if you live in Hawaii or Hong Kong; |
| take in. Being cultured with Broadway shows and | | | | there is much to be appreciated about the different |
| tours of museums and historical landmarks was | | | | places that we each call home. I now fully believe in |
| exciting also. However, it is highly noticeable that the | | | | taking time to smell the coffee, so to speak, so that |
| smog in the air forms a blanket where the sun | | | | I never take for granted the wonderful things about |
| cannot shine through well enough to fully adorn itself | | | | the place that I call home. |