Hot Spots to Visit in Hawaii, Oahu and the Big Island

When it gets closer to the time you start actually planning a trip to Hawaii -- let me know and I'll fill you in on more exactly where (at least Oahu and Hawaii -- I don't know Mauai, Kauai very well). Maybe I'll let you stay on my property -- it's nothing but a square acre partly forested land - but someday,

 I'll have built it up more like a outdoor camp or maybe a bungalow. It's not near the ocean -- so you'll probably enjoy more staying at a place like Kalani Resort (not free but has camping at $20 per night for a tent site). Kalani has a large pool with hot tubs and sauna which is clothing optional after 5pm every day. Kalani is within walking distance to Kehena Black Sands beach and that's nude all year long - very mixed set of people who hang out at Kehena -- as well as at Kalani. BTW, you might be able to get a job at Kalani -- they have a program for temporary work-stays (pays your room and board in exchange for some work).

There are usually some really cool guys and gals -- from young people to seniors are needed for various kinds of work (kitchen, grounds, guest services, etc) and for teaching classes too. You could also look into temp jobs elsewhere around the islands if you wanted to stay longer. Oahu has a very adequate public bus system that can get you almost anywhere on the island you want to go.


The Big Island is a different story -- you'll either have to hitch rides (very doable in Puna (southeast region where I've been describing) or share a rental car - although there may be very limited bus service between major points. It's by picking up hitchers that I kind of stay tuned to the local vibes and also what the 'visitors' are doing - some are homesteading or housesetting, or just making ends meet by doing odd jobs etc. I've almost never been asked for money -- just rides or maybe cigarettes (but I don't smoke).

Some of the people I've picked up are just living for a while on the island because they can and they like the laid-back life. Actually, there are always some people staying/camping on Kehena Beach -- I guess you have to call them 'hippies' - I mean that's exactly what they look like and how they live -- most of the guys seem to let their hair grow long and they braid it and twist into a Rastafarian (sp?) reggae style. They often wear long flowing shirts with or without pants and are obviously anti-underwear - there are women too, but fewer actually live/camp on the beach -- although there are all kinds of people there, especially on the weekends. It's really cool on Sundays when dozens -- even hundreds of people gather on Kehena to dance, play music, and enjoy partying/socializing/smoking. The hippie guys and gals never hesitate to join in and love to get naked and gyrate, cavort to the ethnic beat that the drummers and other amateur musicians have gathered to improvise.



Why that's amusing .. it's more fun to watch for dolphins and whales (not the beached types) and to

look at the cool board-type male and female bodies (many who aren't wearing any at the moment) throw themselves into the crashing waves trying to bodysurf or boogie board. Hey. I've gone on way to long.... Below is a pic of me walking back from Kehena Black Sands Beach, it's in a sheltered lagoon under a cliff face (so it's not public exposure and so too why some people camp out there - discreetly, of course) -- I am freeballing in my see-thru mesh shorts. I can't wait to get back there after Xmas - just after I leave LA from a few days in the Cali desert.


Recently, someone asked me to list the best things I enjoy doing (or taking visitors to do/see) in Hawaii. Since I basically stay on the Big Island or visit Oahu, I wrote down just in a few minutes a long list. (Photos may be added when I have the time).

These are many fun things I recommend for single men and women, gay couples, straights:

On Oahu

This is the same island that Honolulu (Waikiki Beach) is found.)

0) nude swim on Waikiki Beach after midnight
1) climb up to the peak of Diamond Head Crater (closes at 5pm)
2) visit the unofficial nude beach at Diamond Head Beach (below the Lighthouse) - discretion advised
3) take the gay catamaran cruise (Sunday clothing optional) and Saturday gay but textile.
4) Maui Taco (fast food but delicious) - along with Kona Longboard draft beer (local brew) on 2nd floor of Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.
or have mai-tai cocktails at the bar where the drink was invented
5) see street performances 9pm - midnight on main street (Kalakaua) in Waikiki
6) Spend time with local gay crowd on Queen's Surf (Waikiki Beach) not far from the Honolulu Aquarium
or play volleyball (Wed afternoons) with gay group across Hula's Bar (Waikiki Grand Hotel - on Kapahulu just near the Zoo).

Hawaii, Big Island
The sightseeing/activity/tourist spot are listed as if you were driving from Kailua-Kona (west side)

north and around the island to Honoka'a, Hilo, Puna District,

0) snorkel (or diving) with giant manta rays (Kona-Kailua)
1)Gay (unofficial nude 'cruising' beach at Honokahau Marina, near Honokohau National Park (Preserve) 5 miles south of airport (3 miles north of Kona (also called Kailua-Kona)
2) Nude/gay Beach 67 (telephone #) on Puako-Hapuna Rd (35 miles north of N of Kailua-Kona)
3) Camp at Spencer Beach - tent spots just to a quiet beach (unless strong winds)

4) Sushi Rock (sushi restaurant at Hawi - 50 miles north of Kailua-Kona), quaint town, live music with good local sushi on Friday night (reservation recommended)
5) spend the afternoon before in Kapa'a - (north of Hawi to visit galleries and local art works stores)
6) Waimea (western-type 'cowboy' town)
7) Waipio Canyon (a few miles from Honoka'a) great (and strenuous hike - up and down) to a wondeful coastal valley
8) Drive up Mauna Kea for great views of the Hamakua Coast (take road from Paauillo up toward Pohakea - 15-20 minutes and back)
9) Laupahoehoe Valley (giant tsunami washed away the village on the lower 'viewpoint' - commerative monuments and great rocky ocean shore with green parks)

9+1 (alternate drive from Kona to Hilo goes across the Saddle Back (the high elevation area between Mauna Kea and the slope leading to Mauna Loa - it's perfect at sunset)

10) Hilo - "Old Town"
11) Volcanoes National Park (is nice) but try to see the 'real' lava flows and huge steam cloud at

Kalapana
12) Keheha Black Sands Beach (at milemaker #19 on Kalapana-Kopoho Beach Rd (between Hwy 130 and Hwy 132) -- Family and hippie style clothing optional beach (plenty of gay too)
Early morning - you can swim with dolphins and see whales in season (Dec-Feb (sometimes later).
13 - 2) Steam vents (natural steam sauna in caverns created by rising mineral steam) about 5 miles from Pahoa on Hwy 130
13 - 2 You'll need to stop for food (or supplies) - Be sure to check the quaint little town of Pahao - a few nice restaurant
13 - 3 Kalani Oceanside Resort - a wonderful resort and de facto community center - very gay friendly (http://www.kalani.com ) - great organic buffet meals and gift shop, regular classes (hula, yoga - sometimes 'naked yoga', and also therapeutic and holistic massage of various type. Accommodation from camp sites to nice rooms to elegant vacation villas. Walking distance from Kehena Beach (see #12 above)

14) Kapoho warm ocean ponds (tidal pools)
15) Naalehu (drive around southern point of Big Island)

There are actually too many place to mention.

Enjoy and aloha....
Kelly (Kawika)