Earlier in September, I took a weeklong vacation and traveled to Hawaii. It was gorgeous and lush and wonderful except for one thing — I met too many Californians.
State of play: It felt like almost every Californian looking to take advantage of post-Labor Day flights was out in Hawaii.
- On our parasailing tour, I met a San Francisco-based mom and son and a young couple from San José — one of whom went to Gunn High School like me.
- In my group surfing lesson, the two other first-timers were a pair from Santa Cruz.
- And upon texting a childhood friend about reconnecting back home, I learned she was also in Hawaii, just an island over.
So, if you are one of the Californians making your way to Hawaii sometime soon, here are my recs:
Favorite dessert: Shimazu Store
- The roadside shop has a wide range of shaved ice flavors, with unique options like like pickled mango, as well as a smattering of toppings that include condensed milk and li hing powder.
Photo: Shawna Chen/Axios
Favorite museums: ʻIolani Palace and Hawaii’s Plantation Village