SPECTRUM 2007-2008

Warm, soggy sand pressed firmly against my bare feet. A huge, salty wave crashed and pulled my tiny body under. Effortlessly, I was lifted and thrown back onto the sun-drenched beach. I struggled to catch my breath between bouts of laughter, before the next wave came to get me. My suit was stuffed with white sand by the time the third wave was done with me. Hawaii is my favorite place in the world. I have been there twice, and I love everything about the quaint little islands. A certain peacefulness, one I understood even as a child, overwhelms Hawaii. Everyone should visit Hawaii because of its beaches, lifestyle, and beauty.

The beaches in Hawaii are gorgeous. The water is so fresh and luminous it’s unbelievable. For example, one time I went snorkeling with my family at a small bay that was filled with exotic fish. The water was crystal clear, and I could see through it like glass. The fish were bright neon colors and could be seen many feet away under the translucent water. Just when I was least expecting it, a little blue fish swam up and bounced off my goggles. No fresh water fish would be that brave, nor would I want a walleye near my face. Dolphins are another spectacle in Hawaii. For example, one day while on the beach, I noticed dolphins in the water a few yards past the swimming area. My dad quickly jumped in a canoe and tried to get as close as possible. I stood on the shore in awe, as my dad laughed and took pictures of the dolphins. They nearly jumped into the canoe! The beaches in Hawaii are stunning and unforgettable.

Hawaii has a very unique lifestyle. The people always seem super carefree. For example, one day as I walked along on the beach, I noticed a shark swimming around the same area as some surfers. Frightened, my dad and I quickly informed some of the surfers on the beach. They looked at us blankly and laughed. Apparently it didn’t phase them because they continued to surf. There is a stress-free way of life in Hawaii. For example, my family and I met a cigar seller one day while we walked down a touristy street. He told us about his simple life. He explained how he had moved there from Stateside and had been selling cigars for years. His only source of income was the money he made from his cigar shop. The shop was tiny, and it opened up in the front like a garage door. He would sit quietly on a bench in the sun and wait for customers. Although money wasn’t abundant, he had all he needed. His uncomplicated way of living inspired me. The Hawaiian lifestyle is a breath of fresh air.

The overwhelming beauty of Hawaii is priceless. Sunsets in Hawaii are like walking into a painting. For example, one night as the sun set, I walked outside our cabin to join my family on the beach. I walked out into the warm, sweet air to find only my mom and my brother. They sat quietly on the shore looking up at the breathtaking pink-orange of the sky. I sat behind them, to make their silhouette a part of my view. The tide rose to erase any footprints in the sand and to push abandon shells up the new shoreline. The water sparkled a deep sapphire as the final rays of sunlight touched it. I will never forget the sunsets in Hawaii. Everything seemed to possess a sort of tropical exquisiteness. For example, one morning for breakfast we went to the most gorgeous restaurant. The tables were outside overlooking the ocean, and there was no barrier between us and nature. As we waited for our food, we could feel the warm morning breeze and hear the thunderous collapse of the waves on the shoreline. A gecko climbed the tree near us. Fresh guava juice quenched my thirst between heaping bites of hash browns and eggs. By the time we were finished, the sun burned hot in the sky, and we were ready to experience another day in paradise. Hawaii’s incredible beauty will always hold a spot in the back of my mind.

Hawaii deserves to be seen. Everyone should get a chance to snorkel with the world’s most colorful fish. The lifestyle in Hawaii creates a clear idea of the important things in life. Finally, the beauty is unimaginable; one can only hope to experience its wonders. My vacations in Hawaii showed me an entirely different world; I wish everyone could share my vivid memories.