It all started with Kaanapali
We just came back from a glorious week in Hawaii. It was the first extended family vacation in three years, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time in the sun. The trip was bittersweet as my dad was still with us the last time. I worried that my mom would feel lonesome without him, but she surprised us with her energy, independent spirit, and a healthy appetite!
My husband and I honeymooned in Kaanapali 35 years ago and started vacationing in Maui when the kids were babies. The weather was perfect, we didn’t have to be careful about food or water, and it was a short flight from home. We looked for hotels with large swimming pools because a purely beach-oriented holiday felt more complicated. The restaurants and resort life seem a bit boring looking back now, but as inexperienced parents, we didn’t have a big appetite for surprises.
My husband and I travel (past tense these days!) extensively for work, contributing to our love of Hawaii. When it came to planning a family vacation with kids, going back to Europe or Asia just felt like an extension of work to us. You could say we deferred showing the kids the world until they were old enough to remember it or could do so independently. Besides, my best friend is from Hawaii, and she gives me an emotional guest pass to enjoy her home state.
Today, we’re all about Waikiki
One day, my husband met a potential client in Honolulu, and this trip opened his eyes to the beauty and vitality of Waikiki. On one side of the hotel was the tranquility of the beach, and on the other side, a bustling city. Waikiki was the best of both worlds, Bitches! Our kids were older now and craved stimulation and we knew this was the right change. During the day, they kept busy surfing, paddleboarding, and swimming. At night, we walked the main boulevard for eats and shopping.
This switch from Maui to Oahu was a paradigm shift for our family. It's been ten years since we made the switch, and it still felt right this time. Our kids are now young adults, and they added jogging and climbing Diamond Head, hiking trailheads, and booking sunset cruises with $5 Mai Tais to their daily activities. As parents, the big chore of the day was to secure two beach umbrellas for the day.
On the last day of vacation, mom showed me a picture of dad that she carried in her purse during the past week. She said she talked to him during her morning walks on the beach. With COVID-19 still undefeated, and a work-life filled with anxiety and uncertainties, it was especially nice to go back to Waikiki and immerse ourselves in a familiar routine.
We will keep our hearts and minds open for another paradigm shift. But this year, Waikiki still felt just right.