Outer Island Cruising

 For any of you who have gone on a cruise, you understand the importance of being near the departure port. It is essential for keeping your cruise cost down. While living in Hawaii there are a few opportunities for cruises in and out of Honolulu. There is a weekly cruise to three outer islands through NCL which hubby and I took last summer. Since we are living on Oahu we took advantage of a last-minute price reduction and jumped on board. The Pride of America is a bit different from other cruising ships. Because it only operates in American waters, it has mostly an American crew.  There is no gambling in Hawaii so this ship  does not have a casino, and any other ships passing through Hawaiian waters will close their casino during this time. The Pride of America is also a smaller ship compared to some of the luxury cruise liners.  It has a distinctly American theme.

Pride of America grand staircase

 Even though hubby and I have previously been to the outer islands, this gave us a chance to see the islands from a different perspective. Arriving by ship to the different ports gave us views of Maui, the Big Island, Kauai, and Ni'ihau that we had never seen before. There are many excursions to do on all of the islands. It is just a matter of narrowing down the many choices.

 While on the island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island we chose to go snorkeling at a black sand beach. We had been to the volcano twice before and that excursion is not to be missed if you've never seen an active volcano.

Tender to Kailua-Kona dock.  This is the beach area that the Ironman Triathalon begins.

 On the island of Maui we chose an excursion to Molokini crater for snorkeling. This is a 30 minute boat ride to a crescent shaped island where boats dock for some excellent snorkeling. We were able to see lots of fish and could see all the way to the bottom of the ocean floor.  Don't worry if you're not a strong swimmer, they will give you a noodle to keep you afloat while swimming.

A walk along a park in Maui

 On the island of Kauai, Waimea Canyon has been called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific and it's very beautiful. Another excursion that's popular is the helicopter tour. Most islands have helicopter tours but in my opinion, Kauai is the island you'll want to see the beautiful sites that are not easily accessible by car.  Before leaving the island of Kauai, there is scenic cruising of the Napali coast. The only way to see this area is by plane, boat or hiking into the area. This is a very unspoiled part of Hawaii.

 Each island has something different from the other islands. If you have a chance to visit an outer island, you'll enjoy it. If you have a chance to visit three outer islands in one week, you will certainly find which island is your favorite.   We felt this cruise was an outstanding value. The price of flights, hotel rooms for seven nights and all meals would have easily cost much more than our cruise price. In fact we enjoyed ourselves so much we plan to take it again next year.

Retirement Lifestyle

Waikiki Beach

I've had many people ask me how I can live in a 600 square ft. condo.  Here are my short answers:

1. It's in Hawaii and it's paid for.
2. We probably won't live here for the rest of our lives.
3. We want to travel while we're still healthy and a condo is easy to close up and leave at a moments notice.
4. We have a great view of Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial.  I feel lucky and grateful when I look out the window each day.
5. I'm not spending my retirement years cleaning and/or repairing a large square footage home.
6. We refurbished it to our liking and we love the location.

People waiting for Friday night fireworks to start

Another question I'm often asked is how can we afford to retire in Hawaii since it's so expensive.  Let's break it down into the most expensive categories:

1. Housing - Our condo is paid for.
2. Utilities- Hawaii has one of the highest utility rates but once again, living in a smaller space means smaller utility bills.  We run our air conditioner often and our utility bill is about $100.
3. Food- Yes food is expensive since almost everything is shipped to the islands. Luckily we can shop at the military commissaries on the island. We only eat out about once a week and that really helps our food budget go farther.
4. Gas- Gasoline might run $.50-.75 more per gallon, but remember, we are on an island so we don't drive long distances at any one time.
5. Entertainment-Here is an example of our recent Friday night outing.  We had a Mexican dinner at a "mom and pop" restaurant. $27   We then walked along the Waikiki beach and watched the sunset...  Free.  After sunset on Friday night there are fireworks on the beach...Free.  And finally we treated ourselves to ice cream after the fireworks...$3.    After paying our $4 parking fee, our evening out came to $34.00 for an enjoyable night on the town.

Another amazing sunset

There is no perfect place in the world for retiring.  If there was, everyone would move there.  I suggest finding the perfect spot for you. A place where you find yourself smiling a lot and feeling lucky that you found your own paradise.

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Every Beach Has Its Own Story

Now that I'm retired, going to the beach is a weekly occurrence for me. There is something about the sights, sounds, and smell of the ocean along with the feel of the warm sand that takes me to my "happy place". Because there are too many beaches to mention I want to highlight a few of my favorites. While looking through my pictures, notice that there is room to spread out with your beach chair and towels. It's never terribly crowded unless an event is occurring nearby bringing in the crowds.

Unfortunately, each week we hear on the news that a visitor to Hawaii was injured or killed in the water. Some were swimming in water that was to rough while others were jumping into the water in dangerous areas or getting knocked off the rocks and into the water from a large wave. Most of these can be prevented. Be aware and be safe near the water.

Bellows Beach
This is absolutely my favorite beach in the whole world. We have been coming to this beach for decades. It is located on a military installation and is accessible with the military ID card. Those without an ID card can access the beach on the weekends. Bellows beach has soft sand and blue water. There are no rocks, coral or seaweed to step on. The view of the Ko'olau mountain range also adds to the experience. This is one beach that you will want to pay attention to the surf report. The water is good for boogie boarding and occasionally stand up paddle boarding (SUP) or kayaking if the water is not too rough. Snorkeling and surfing are not suitable activities at this beach. When our children were toddlers, we would bring a blowup swimming pool and fill it with water so they could be safe at the beach when the waves were too big.

Queens  Beach
This particular beach is near Waikiki, but closer to Kapiolani Park and the zoo. I like this beach because there is plenty of parking, a large grassy area nearby and it is less crowded than Waikiki beaches. Be sure to bring your water shoes since there are rocks and coral in the water. Also bring your snorkel since the fish swim near the coral.  Lifeguards, showers and restrooms are available. When you're done swimming this is a fun area for people watching.

Ko Olina Lagoons
Near the west side of Oahu are the four man-made lagoons of Ko Olina. This is a resort area but the beaches are open to the public. There is limited parking for lagoons 1–3 and a bigger parking lot available near lagoon four. The water is protected from big waves which makes it clear for snorkeling on calm days. Most people enjoy playing in the water or relaxing on floatation devices. I know from experience that beach umbrellas are not allowed on the beach. Showers and restrooms are available.

Hickam Beach
This is another beach that can only be accessed with a military ID card since it is located on Hickam Air Force Base. Although it's a small beach there's plenty to do in the calm water. On weekends, you can rent a stand up paddleboard or kayak. The beach is near the Honolulu airport and you will get a close-up view of planes heading out to the runway. If any military ships or submarines  are headed to the Pearl Harbor entrance, you'll get a good view. Lifeguards, showers, restrooms and a snack bar are nearby.

Waimea Bay
This beach has two seasons. In the summer months you will find waters great for snorkeling, floating and swimming. There is a large rock that is popular to jump off. A sign is posted nearby about the dangers of jumping and suggest you don't. I think it's there for liability reasons and after looking at this picture it seems no one pays attention to it. During the Winter months, the surf is up and surfing competitions are held here. It is best to watch the expert surfers safely from the shore. This is not the time for swimming. Lifeguards, showers and restrooms are available. Parking is very limited.

Hanauma Bay
This is a very popular beach with tourists, but if you want to snorkel and see lots of fish this is the place to go. Before entering the beach area you will need to watch a short video on beach preservation. Snorkel sets are available to rent, but I preferred to bring my own. Lifeguards, showers and restrooms are available. It will be more crowded that other beaches and parking may be limited.

Fun And Inexpensive Activities On Oahu

For anyone who has visited Hawaii as a tourist, you know there are a multitude of pamphlets and books describing luxurious tours and excursions. Rather than writing about the helicopter rides, whale watching tours and dinner cruises, I chose to focus on activities that are free or of minimal cost. Because most of these places are away from touristy Waikiki, you will need a car to get around.

The Arizona Memorial is the most visited tourist spot on Oahu.  You will see advertising for tours with transportation to and from Waikiki but the memorial tour is actually free. Just go to the website Recreation.gov and click on Arizona Memorial to reserve your tickets. The spots fill up fast so plan ahead if possible. If the website shows that they are sold out, you may be able to go to the ticket counter at 7am each morning for extra tickets that may be available.

Not too far from the Arizona Memorial is Aloha Stadium. On Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday there is a Swapmeet that is fun to walk through. You'll be able to find swimwear, towels, hats, sunglasses, T-shirts and so much more. Entrance fee is one dollar per person and includes parking. Be aware that the swap meet is not open when the college football team has a Saturday home game.

Friday night fireworks are popular and can be seen from the beach near Hilton Hawaiian Village. Be sure to bring your own beach chairs or towels to sit on.  This is a free event.

Hiking is very popular with locals and tourists alike. There are so many trails on each island it is best to check a Hawaiian website for details of each trail.  The two most popular trails on Oahu are Diamond Head and Makapuu lighthouse. Diamond Head has an uneven climbing path while Makapuu lighthouse is paved and smooth enough to push a stroller. Parking is always full, so just be patient and wait for a spot to open up.

Of course going to the beach is always a fun activity. Each beach is a little different from the next one. Some areas are good for little ones, but others are known for snorkeling, boogie boarding and surfing. It's important to watch the surf report during the evening newscast to get an idea of how high the surf will be. You don't want to go into the water when there is big surf. Did you know that all the beaches in Hawaii are public land?  This means if you're lucky enough to have a house on the beach, you don't own the beach too and others can enjoy it.

Kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and surf lessons are available and will not take a big bite out of your budget. Lessons can be found in Waikiki or on some of the military bases.

The National Cemetery Of The Pacific also known as "Punchbowl" is located in an extinct volcanic crater. It is a somber but very beautiful cemetery. There's also a great viewing area that overlooks downtown and into Waikiki.

If it's the Winter time, there may be huge waves on the North Shore. Stay out of the water but watch the surfers from the sandy beach. Bring binoculars if you have them. Last Winter we had 30ft. waves!

The drive over the H-3 Highway towards Kaneohe shouldn't be missed. You'll drive through the mountain and come out on the other side with a breathtaking view of the ocean and the Koolau mountain range. You can drive into the quaint town of Kailua or simply turn around and head back from where you came.

Making a day of simply taking pictures can be fun. The islands are filled with beauty wherever you look and capturing these images will let you re-live your time in paradise.

Iolani Palace is the only Royal Palace on American soil. There is so much to learn about the Hawaiian Royalty. Tours are available. Don't forget to snap a picture of King Kamehameha.

Eat The Street is a popular event held on the last Friday of the month. This evening festival brings together plenty of food trucks in one location. Every month has a different theme such as chocolate or bacon. Bring beach chairs if you want to sit. Check for the location since it may change.

Since we are talking about food, you can never go wrong by packing a picnic and heading to a beach or park to watch the sunset.

Leonard's Bakery is a little mom-and-pop bakery that serves malasadas. This is a Portuguese donut and not to be missed. Don't be surprised if there is a line out the door. They make them after you order and they will be hot and delicious.

For those of you who have a current military ID card, I've included a few favorite spots on the many, many military bases on Oahu.

The Pearl Harbor gym has wonderful facilities and specialty classes such as yoga and spinning. There's a minimal cost for classes.

The military harbors offer sailing lessons and boat rentals.

ITT is the military tickets and tours office. They offer discount tickets on many excursions.

Golf courses on the military bases are less expensive then the local ones. Call each golf course for tee time and prices.

Drive over to Ford Island, which is only accessible with a military ID. While there, look at the USS Missouri docked nearby.

I realize there are many more activities that I haven't mentioned. That's just another reason why I love this island. There is so much to do and I definitely don't plan to sit at home in my retirement years.

Moving To Hawaii May Not Be For You If...

This photo makes me think it's a picture perfect world living in Hawaii. There are a few things to consider before moving here. I came up with 10 reasons why Hawaii may not be a good retirement spot for you.

#1.  You like to spend most of your time inside. With Hawaiian housing being more compact, people tend to spend more time outside enjoying nature. This is especially true on weekends when most of the locals head to the beaches or parks.

#2.  You like the four seasons.  I think Hawaii has about two seasons… Spring and Summer. Hubby and I joke about how easy it is to be a weatherman here.  "Today's high in the mid 80s with a light breeze"  is usually the weather forecast.  It does get to 90° on occasion, usually in August.

#3.  You enjoy going to the theater or ballet.  There's not a lot of fine arts performances other than Hawaiian Hula and culture. There are a few local theater productions to watch. We also don't get many concerts. It's just too far for a company to travel just to perform for a night or two.

#4.  You have a specific medical need.  If you have a medical issue that requires a specialist, check to see if Hawaii has what you need before moving here.

#5.  You plan on having a large home.  If you want a house with a large yard and a three car garage when moving to Hawaii... nope-- not going to happen on a retired person's budget unless you recently won the lottery. The average home on Oahu is about $700,000. And I mean average.  This amount is for a 1500 square-foot, two carport older home with no yard, air-conditioning or view.

#6.  You don't like tourists.  Most locals don't venture into Waikiki unless they live or work in the area. It is crowded with tourists all year round. This doesn't mean we dislike them. Tourists are the mainstay of the Hawaiian economy and very important to the state.

#7.  You don't like diversity.  Hawaii can best be described as a melting pot of nationalities. This is where the "aloha" spirit is evident. No one cares what your lineage is, and for the most part everyone gets along just fine.

#8.  You are a big gambler.  Sorry, Hawaii doesn't have any lottery, bingo, casino, scratch off tickets, nothing. That doesn't mean there isn't some betting going on in back rooms of businesses. Perhaps this is why Las Vegas is the number one destination for locals.

#9.  You need to travel often for business or family visits.  If so, in Hawaii may not be for you. It's a five hour flight to the West Coast and longer – much longer if you're headed to Asia.

#10.  You don't like to fly.  The islands of Hawaii are surrounded by water, lots and lots of water in every direction. If you are uncomfortable about flying – especially over water, Hawaii may not be the retirement spot for you.

For all the wonderful qualities the islands have to offer, these are some areas to consider before making a move to the 50th state.

 Next time. Fun And Cheap Activities on Oahu.

Becoming A Minimalist In One Month

 Now that we decided to live in Hawaii full-time, we headed back to the mainland to sell our house in middle America and disperse of all of our belongings. Imagine if you will, moving to a place and the only items you can take must fit into a suitcase or mailable box. What would you take?

 I began this overwhelming task by starting with items I knew we were not going to use. They were then sold or given away. I didn't want to empty the house too soon since it was on the market to be sold, but we were lucky enough to have two offers within the first 10 days.

 Next I checked with our three grown children to see what items they could use in their own homes. After that I made a list of items we needed to pack up and mail to Hawaii. Because we had already lived in a condo for seven months we had most of the household items we needed. This time around we packed some winter clothing for when we travel and my beloved sewing machine which I double boxed and sent through the mail.  It arrived in perfect condition. We also mailed two sets of golf clubs. They too arrived in great condition. Be sure to check the prices of the different companies available for mailing. The prices vary greatly!!

 The remaining items which were many, went into my garage sale pile. I had exactly 3 weekends before handing over the house to the new owner. Luckily all three weekends we were blessed with good weather and good crowds. The majority of our items sold and the rest were donated.  Our friends were lucky to score all of the food items, plastic wrap and random kitchenware that we could not take with us.

Of course there were some sentimental treasures that I wasn't sure I could part with. Luckily we rented a climate controlled storage unit for our youngest daughter who was finishing her last year of college. We stored all the furniture and kitchen items she might need for her first apartment after she graduated.  This also gave me an excuse to save some keepsakes – at least for another year.

 When she headed back to college in August, we once again had a one-way ticket to paradise waiting for us. It was an action-packed summer preparing our house to sell, downsizing to four suitcases and three mailed boxes. On top of all that our other daughter got married and I made the cake.  Luckily retired people have time for all of this. I couldn't imagine working full-time while attempting to sell a house and move thousands of miles away.

When we landed in Honolulu it felt good to be home. It's a new chapter in our lives and I like the way this story is going.

 Next time – Hawaii is not for you if…

Trial Run

In our attempt to retire in Hawaii, we weren't 100% sure if condo living was for us. Perhaps a trial run would be the best way to find out. We knew we couldn't afford a house on Oahu, so our one-bedroom condo that we had been renting out for the past 20 years would become our new home.
 When our youngest child departed for college, we closed up our Midwestern home and headed West… really West. With four suitcases between the two of us we landed in paradise with the big task of renovating our Hawaiian condo. We set a budget and timeline and went to work. All of the demolishing and most of the labor we did ourselves. We hired experts for the plumbing  and electrical work.  During our planning stage, we kept in mind that we are getting older. We switched out all the carpeting to tile, and pulled out the bathtub to make room for a walk in shower.  I think we will be able to age in place, at least for a little while.

Kitchen-before

Kitchen-after

Two months later it was a vast improvement over the rental property it once was. We slowly added more homey touches a little at a time. Since this was the first time living in a high-rise I wasn't sure what to expect, but something like dorm living came to mind. Luckily there were no issues with wild neighbors or unruly children. Within a few weeks I knew this building would serve us well. It is extremely quiet due to quality construction, and no bugs due to living on  the 15th  floor. We have everything we need packed into 600 square feet.  I guess all those articles about tiny home living are true. It is possible to live comfortably in a small space.

 Our building has extra amenities such as the pool, spa, sauna, security, meeting rooms, tennis court and more. Whenever our place gets too cozy and feeling small we can head to the pool to relax.
 This was an expensive year for us since we still had our home on the mainland and all the expenses that go along with it. Once we decided we could live this kind of lifestyle full-time we made plans for selling our house and all of our belongings. Eight months after we started, we headed back to the mainland to wrap up all the loose ends with our house and continue the liquidation process.

Vanity-before

Vanity-after

 Up Next… Downsizing everything!