WHAT TO DO WHEN IT RAINS IN HAWAII
It might be hard to imagine. Because when you think of Hawaii its always with images of calm turquoise waters, balmy temperatures and sunny skies. So what is a visitor – let alone kama’aina (local) – to do when the temperature dips south and skies open up?
Yes, it does rain (maybe not cats and dogs, but at least kittens and puppies) in Hawaii. But here are four ideas for things you can do that still get you out of the house (or hotel room) and able to take advantage of all the beauty and wonder that the islands have to offer. It is still paradise after all.
As we always say, if you can’t beat them, join them. So embrace the rain and sign up for a submarine tour with Atlantis Waikiki. When you’re more than 100 feet under the sea it won’t matter how damp it is on dry land. Especially as you make some fish friends, throw honi (kisses in Hawaiian) to honu and explore submerged ship and plane wrecks. The close to two-hour tour holds up to 48 passengers, and gives a new perspective to see the sea. Because darling its better / down where it’s wetter / take it from me.
A little rain actually sets the perfect stage to hunt down some of Hawaii’s most haunted locales. With Orbs of Oahu Driving Night Tour you’ll learn about the history behind places you stroll by every day and feel your skin crawl over stories about menehune and Night Marchers. The tour is held rain or shine so bring a poncho and umbrella just in case. Now just put in for an order of obake (ghosts in Japanese) and you’re set!
Wash your rainy day blues away over a tropical beverage (or two) at a true blue Hawaiian luau. Chances are, you probably haven’t been to a real Hawaiian luau in years – if ever – so take the evening off (yup, no dirty dishes here!) and feast like Hawaiian royalty at the Polynesian Cultural Center’s Ambassador luau. With all the hula and heaping platters of your favorite Hawaiian foods – think: kalua pig, macaroni salad, lomi lomi salmon, poi and all the other fixings — you really won’t think twice about what the weather is like outside. Though it does give you an excuse to sit back and rest your opu (stomach in Hawaiian) just a little longer before heading home.
You don’t need sunny skies to take in a piece of history. In fact overcast skies match the somber tone felt throughout Pearl Harbor’s renowned USS Arizona Memorial, the final resting place for the more than 1,100 sailors killed in the December 7, 1941 attack on the United States. While most island residents have visited the Arizona Memorial on a school field trip in their childhood, gathering up the family for a morning to honor the men and women who served our country is always time well spent. The in-person history lesson for young keiki (children) is just extra credit.
For more ideas on things to do in Hawaii (wet and dry!) visit: www.robertshawaii.com.