Walks on Waikiki

I’m excited that my life is still full-on with new lessons and increased skills–realizing that becoming an old dog doesn’t mean I can’t learn new tricks. I see how patience can pay handsome dividends if I don’t demand an instant gratification of the greatest version of the grandest vision I choose to be. I’m actually quoting God here, or if you like, Neale Donald Walsh, as he would transcribe the messages he received from God starting on one cold February morning. Waiting for the right time to ask for help is a big new lesson for me.

I decided to pick up and move from San Francisco to Honolulu and take in some local motion and local sunshine out here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and it has definitely been an adventure. I’m amused at how convenient a hang loose shakka comes in handy in traffic as a pedestrian or cyclist, and when locals ask me blankly about what a duvet cover is. It’s so warm here, there isn’t a need for heavy blankets and comforters, and oddly, a large selected of used jeans–in the local Savers mart. Mainlanders donate their heavy clothing they bring with them when they move. So if I ever go back. . .

Indeed, the first thing I learned about moving to Hawaii is to come with nothing. This makes the move so much easier on the head and hand–not to mention–the pocketbook. It’s amazing how few threads are needed in a tropical environment. I was glad to find board shorts in my size a block away from where I lived at the Goodwill store at Post and Fillmore, as someone must have moved from Hawaii and donated all their surf wear they wouldn’t need at mid-temperate Northern California. There were little clues like this littered all over my day-to-day doings that subtly pointed to a way of life to move to the most remote island chain in the world. My first decision to move was on October 15, 2019, and I never looked back.

The key lessons I’ve learned are about Oahu, the most populous island in the chain, with the large city of Honolulu on the south shore of this mid-sized island–is that the air quality below the freeway close to heavily trafficked arterials has an air quality similar to that of San Francisco. There are periods of up to three days after a rain when you can leave your windows open and smell the sweet clean breeze–but more often than not–the white glove test fails in-and-around Waikiki. Leaving windows open for a week means a heavy duty dusting with liquid cleaner and paper towels is in order to keep the window tracks and sashes clean. Add to that the occasional volcanic ash and dust, or vog, and you see that hay fever is quickly replaced by a sneeze and congestion due to the god of Pele, or rather Pele’s hair.

Another similarity is in being aware when crossing the street as a pedestrian. In this, Waikiki is no different than the streets of San Francisco. Motorists run through stop signs and red lights as they are glued to their phones. Cars whiz by on narrow streets with narrow sidewalks, and the Ala Wai Blvd., upon which I have settled, usually has two or three injury accidents per week, as judged by the police cars which regularly dot the first lane on the residence side of the canal.

One big plus about living on the canal is the internet speed! If you choose to live in a building with less than ten stories, where you live in relation to the relay towers, becomes extremely important if you want to post YouTube videos and large word processing files. Fortunately, I moved away from the Trump tower and Embassy Suites to the canal across from the golf course, so I have an unimpeded line-of-site from the towers on a building across from the canal which gives me great speeds of over 300mbps! On Beachwalk, I was lucky to get anything over 21 mbps! Tip: live close the canal and you get fast internet and lower rents. These buildings have stood since the 1960’s and command a lower rent. The closer you get to the ocean, the more expensive it gets–mainly because the property there is so much more valuable–buildings get demolished and rebuilt after less than thirty years.

Which brings us to the next disclaimer as it were. One hundred and fifty two high rises in Waikiki over ten stories tall are going to need sprinkler systems and upgrades to fire suppression. Unlike the historical awareness of fire suppression in a city of earthquakes along a fault line, builders here have no such need. A new law which goes into effect in 2023, mandates all high-rises above ten stories, must have a modernized fire system. This means caveat emptor when looking to purchase a condo. HOA dues can be increased dramatically at any time. The notion that locking in a mortgage rate means very little when maintenance for pipes and elevators need be refinanced.

To be sure, my perspective is one of a single person, or younger man, not encumbered with a car or a family, and this makes for a simple life plan in being nimble as a renter. Many who need cars do well to stay away from Waikiki and move uphill by the mountains, on the other side of the freeway, where the air is clear year round, and theft is much lower. Waikiki has similar problems with the homeless as with San Francisco, but unlike SF, the police have maintained a stronger presence to keep panhandling to a minimum, and prevent encampments within the city. Kamuki and the Manoa campus are great neighborhoods close-in if you have a scooter or car.

The bus system here is fantastic. I never thought I would “die” and go to bus driver “heaven,” but I found it! The frequency of buses is just as good, if not better than San Fran, and the riders pay their fare and our respectful. I never thought I would find a number one bus system in the US in the middle of an ocean!

I still update and maintain my Dao of Doug series with new Balboa Press editions coming soon: