I have been fortunate enough to have quite a bit of exposure to Hawai'i in my brief life to this point. My parents joke that I was even conceived in Hawai'i. Growing up, I went with my family to the islands just about every year or so. My parents had business there about twice a year and would drag myself and my sister one of those times. In addition, one of my mom's friends from high school had moved to Oahu and married a local. Auntie Bobbie and Uncle Cliff have two daughters, Shannon and Pua, that were roughly the ages of my sister and myself respectively. There were even times when our families would house swap for an extended vacation.

Being exposed to the rich diversity of life on the islands at such an early age was an extremely positive experience. It was on Maui, at Black Rock, that I did my first SCUBA dive. It was on Oahu that I had my first kiss. It was on the small reef just off the beach in front of the New Otani that I first learned about the detrimental effects humans have on reefs. It was at Aloha stadium that I went to my first professional football game--the hula bowl. It was at the 50th State Fair on Oahu that I had my first--and last--taste of Spam, on spam misubi.

But seriously, Hawai'i has taught me many serious lessons. The Hawaiian way of life--in its pure form--is a beautiful and peaceful existence. It is a gentle way of life. I have grown up appreciating Hawaiian food, music, and culture and hope that others can look beyond the cheesy and touristy aspects and enjoy Hawai'i for what it really is. I am saddened when I see a once proud and distinct people relegated to being grossly over-weight, Budweiser drinking, welfare receiving squators on their own land. I sympathize with the Hawai'ian sovreignty movemnt. While I am not sure that that is the best answer, I do know that something must be done to restore Hawai'i's natural grace and splendor.

Hawai'i has taught me so much. From the barren lava flows, beautifully lush Paker Ranch, amazing waterfalls, relaxing beaches of the Kahala coast, and fascinating reefs of Puako Bay on the Big Island; to the Napali coast, lush rainforests, and caves of Kaui'i; to the relaxing Kaanapali beach area of Maui; to the teeming metropolis, blend of cultures, and hidden secrets of Oahu; part of me will always owe a debt of gratitude to Hawai'i and her peoples for what she has given me and I hope to repay her in kind. To observe, respect, and admire from a distance the splendors of nature is how one should approach nature. Mahalo.

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