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