Life of Larisa or LOL

Hiking on O'ahu is fun and the views are stellar, but sometimes I like to take it up a notch and experience some favorite past hikes at sunrise and sunset.  I've seen trails that I've been on numerous times change with the season---fruits appearing and disappearing, plant overgrowth, or mud from wet weather can really change a familiar trail---just as going for a sunrise or sunset hike can change an ordinary trail into a sit and stay awhile for the view trail. Recently I took the family to a westside favorite, Pu'u O Hulu (or the Pink Pillbox Trail) in Maili, for a sunset hike.  The benefit of doing this hike at sunset is twofold---it is less hot late in the day while trekking up the mountainside, and the artistry and colors from the actual sunset of course.   We weren't the only ones to have this bright idea.  We found the trail was filled with other hikers looking to capture a Hawaiian sunset from the top of this beautiful westside mountain to...

This week's Tuesday Trail took us to Mount Tantalus.  Hidden at the top of this mountain in Honolulu are a multitude of little trails to choose from.  Previously we hiked Ualaka'a and Pu'u Ohia and enjoyed the shade and views those trails provided.  Moleka Trail is a two mile trail that is an offshoot of the popular Makiki Valley Trail.  There are two ways to start this trail.  We entered the trail off of Round Top Drive where a small parking area exists for hikers for either the Moleka Trail or the Manoa Cliffs Trail (hoping to check that one out soon).   Moleka Trail was the perfect family friendly trail.  It isn't too strenuous or long so small children and beginning hikers will find it pleasant to walk along.  Bring your bug repellent and some water as the muggy air attracts mosquitos and makes you sweat profusely.  There are a few uphill climbs but they are very brief and stairs have been built into the muddy ground to as...

It's been a little over a week since we have returned from our weekend getaway to Kaua'i, and I'm still thinking about it.  The lack of freeways and traffic.  The increase in charm and coffee shops.  The  beaches, the mountains, the breeze---Kaua'i had a personality all her own. Our first excursion included the lovely Kilauea Lighthouse.  It was just the beginning of our fun filled day.  After our history lesson, tour, and lunch in Kilauea, we drove on to beaches, hiking, and caves. In order to fulfill everyone's wishlist, we started making our way to Anini Beach for snorkeling...only to discover that it was cloudy and raining. So we kept on driving.  And we drove all the way to the end of the road.  It ended up being the perfect change of plans.  We parked at Ke'e Beach (a place we had been before with good friends years ago).  Snorkel equipment, towels, snacks, and water in tow, we made it (looking suspiciously like touris...

Gone Fishin'! We took a hiking reprieve this weekend and found ourselves at the fishing farm!  Perfect weather. Check. Three boys as my companions. Check. Grubby clothes. Check.  We headed towards the Northshore and turned off of Kamehameha Hwy onto Whitmore Avenue in Wahiawa, where you immediately see a gravelly red dirt road off to your right.  That's the spot! To plan your visit, you'll need to know the following things: Open Daily: 10:00 a.m. til 5:30 p.m. (we arrived on Hawaiian time...a bit after 10:00 a.m. and had to call a number for the owner/manager to arrive with the bamboo fishing poles, bait and to pay). Free Parking Refreshments:  Chips, drinks, and spam musubis are available for purchase should your tummy start to rumble while you are fishing. Fishing: You can fish two ways: catch and release or catch and keep.  We decided to go with the catch and release system, but our fishing neighbors had a bucket (provided by Ali'i) that they...