I finally got to Hawai’i. Three tries, three cancellations, and finally—I made it!

Hawai’i was all I hoped and dreamed it would be.

The weather was nearly perfect:  warm and sunny with a lovely breeze that kept the bugs and humidity away—and wrecked havoc on my hair.

The beaches were stunning with crashing waves and rocky shores built from lava. Everywhere I went I heard bird song.

Maui, especially, was a feast for the senses. Dramatic valleys, cliffs, lush vegetation, waterfalls and flowers were everywhere.

One of the most interesting aspects of being in Hawaii for me at least, is how almost everyone is a blend of ethnicities. Our tour guides, with one exception – a New Jersey transplant–were mocha skinned people who recited a League of Nations list of their individual heritages. As a casual visitor, I had no reliable way to gauge race relations. But it seemed as if many different people were blended into “Hawaiians.” There is a movement in the Islands to preserve the culture of Hawai’i. As a result, many of the very few pure Hawaiians left have retreated to a private Island where they live according to ancient traditions.

For those of us who come as visitors, this desire to preserve the culture is evidenced in the authentic Luaus that are available on every Island. It was also evident in the pride that our tour guides took in talking about the wonders of their beautiful home state.

It’s amusing to me to realize that the hula—a truly lovely, meaningful dance form—was forbidden by the Calvinist missionaries from New England who came to Hawai’i in the 1800’s. The hula was described by none other than Mark Twain in his book about the “Sandwich Islands” as a lascivious dance.

The highlight of my visit to Hawai’i (which I have pledged will not be my last visit) was a tour of the Road to Hana with Jasmine, a Hawaiian of Portuguese and Hawaiian descent. She shared the history of Hawaii, the folklore, and many of the customs as we road along the sinuous road to Hana. The Hawaiian chants and music she played enhanced the tour. We saw some fantastic scenery—scenes that are impressed on my mind forever.

I felt like Hawai’i got into my soul when I was there. And I welcomed it.