During my flight from Kona to Honolulu on Hawaiian Airlines, I found myself unexpectedly upgraded to first business class. I hadn't booked a business class seat for inter-island travel.
It was probably a thoughtful gesture from Hawaiian Airlines in response to the challenges we faced traveling from Kauai to Honolulu, then to Hilo.
Upon arriving, I was struck by the bustling streets of Honolulu, the metropolitan heart of the Hawaiian Islands.
Each island had its unique personality, and I could see how people's preferences could vastly differ.
On the last day of our trip, we had a delightful dinner with Mr. and Mrs. D from the University of Hawaii. Their conversation and the meal
were enjoyable, and I was always amazed by their meticulous attention to detail, typical of their Japan-friendly nature.
They even brought a lot of alcohol from home, as the Chinese restaurant in Oahu didn't serve it, but allowed BYOB.
I wondered if this was the case on other islands too.
The next day, I took a leisurely walk on Waikiki Beach. I saw a large dog swimming happily in the sea, a couple enjoying wakeboarding,
and others reading on the beach.
Everyone was enjoying their time in their own way.
We headed to a spot with a view of Diamond Head, lying on the grass, taking fun photos with Diamond Head and our feet in the frame.
We then encountered a young couple from Japan doing a pre-wedding photoshoot. We quietly left the spot to them.
The man seemed a bit tense, but the woman's carefree smile was memorable. Just a short walk away,
there was a large white limousine likely waiting for them.
And with that, our short trip came to an end.
Now, where shall we travel next year?"