Category: Voyages

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Hawai'i Oʻahu Videos

Kualoa Ranch: For Lovers of Jurassic Park, Film, & TV

Jurassic Park & Jurassic World may be both names that are commonly associated with Hawai’i, namely O’ahu. But Kualoa Ranch, what is that?

Kualoa is one of many ahupua’a on O’ahu, an old Hawaiian system of land divisions that on a map, look comparable to a state county or parish map. The land became owned by the Judd family in the mid 1800’s and over the course of 150 years, it has remained within the same family chain serving as a sugar plantation to a cattle ranch. The only gap in that time was when the military took grip over the land to built defense installations during the second World War.

Ahupua’a map of O’ahu

But in recent years, Kualoa Ranch has been renowned as a tourist destination bringing all likes of travelers over to tour the massive property. Why? In the past 50 years, Kualoa Ranch has been known as the “Backlot of Hawai’i”, being host to many world famous shows such as Lost, Hawai’i 5-0, Jumani, 50 First Dates, Pearl Harbor, Godzilla & more. But the most popular amidst that long list, are the Jurassic Series: Jurassic World and the classic Jurassic Park.

Jurassic Adventure Tour Price (as of Feb. 2021)

Adults $129.95 & Child $69.95

Kama ‘aina: Adults $115.13  & Child $62.77

A week before Christmas was a kama’aina holiday gift for us and a touristy treat from the horrors of 2020. Me, my partner, and her 6 year old son planned a getaway to the other side of the island to enjoy a day out at Kualoa Ranch. Just months before our trip, Kualoa Ranch designed a whole new Jurassic Adventure tour solely focusing on everything Jurassic. As much as I’ve loved Jurassic anything since that first film, this trip was really for the little guy since he is alike me at that age, in love with everything dinosaurs and Jurassic World.

Hakipu’u Valley

The tour starts off by hopping on one of the Ranch’s custom built open air vehicles and sets off to Hakipu’u valley, the smaller of the two valleys. Here we had an insanely gorgeous view overlooking Secret Island and Mokapu (MCBH) and beyond to Waimanalo. The moli’i fishpond was described to be the filming inspiration where the Mosasaurus Arena was designed in Jurassic World.

Next up was certainly the highlight of the whole trip in my opinion, the set for the Indominous Raptor Paddock. While, only a singular wall, it was what the film needed to keep the indominous Rex in it’s paddock. Unfortunately that didn’t stay that way. 😉 Added experience to this part of the tour, was having the opportunity to walk up the stairs and into the observation room overlooking the Indominous where both Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Owen (Chris Pratt) stood.

Ka’a’awa Valley

Coming back passed our starting point and passed the abandoned sugar mill, we made our way into Ka’a’awa (ka-ah-ah-va) valley, home to the scenic backdrops we all are familiar with and in love with in Hollywood films. Here we had the opportunity to pass Mr. Mighty Joe Young himself..

… a few large footprints said to have been those of the 1999 Godzilla film

and a dozen of signs labeling some other popular movies filmed in the valley.

Our stops included a bunker like structure which according to our tour guide, was built just for tours not for movies…boooooring!

However, over the hill and facing the mountain is where our beloved Chris Pratt was filmed running away from dinosaurs. And the very mountain above is where the volcano erupts in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

Driving up the lower part of the ridge brings us to another bunker like structure, but unlike the previous FAKE, this was was used in “Fallen Kingdom” right before the volcano eruption.

Next up, was the platform built for the gyrospears in the Jurassic World film. This is where people wait in line to get into the gyrospears and go out to roll with the dinosaurs. This spot makes for an added excuse to take in a sick panorama of the valley and ridge!

Our last Jurassic stop was one of my personal favorite and most hilarious. We stopped at the very dead tree used when Alan Grand and the kids were running away from the gallimimus. Also here is a touristy Jurassic Park sign to take a cheesy tourist pic at…..yea, I took one.

The hilarious part I mentioned is having the opportunity to run away from a T-rex. I mean in our age of technology, why not. Our guy took out his phone, had us run away from an invisible T-Rex and with a couple of phone edits, wa-la!!! We ran away from a digitally added in T-Rex!

Well there you have it, in good old blog form. Kualoa Ranch offers a wide array of tours, but the Jurassic Adventure tour is the most unique amongst all of them as it allows you to venture into the film locations for many of the Jurassic Films. But better yet, be a part of the backdrop of some other world famous movies and shows.

Click the picture above to visit tour information via Kualoa Ranch’s website.

Check out this family fun Youtube video I edited of our time in Kualoa Ranch!

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General Oʻahu Voyage Journal

My Hula Voyage: Finding My Place in my Hālau Hula

Hawaii malo loincloth hula
Credit: PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA. APRIL 28, 2000.

Months Two: It’s mid December of 2020 coming up to Christmas and while the pandemic ravages on across Hawai’i, Hula still reigns with masks and social distancing. The greatest recent blessings to possibly have in this halau and entire Hawaiian experience, is being given a halau name. Or better yet, a HAWAIIAN name, one with meaning, purpose, and one that describes what makes me, me. But one that also creates a trajectory and clear path for me in this halau.

Doing My Part as a Kane

I’ve been in this hālau for two months so far, and I’ve unofficially crossed over the point of being a welcomed stranger to a new official member of the hālau. As an official member of a traditional hālau that doesnt ask for dues or member ship like other hālau hula, the payment comes in the form of doing your part. Some members have project that involve archaeology, planning events, taking care of business, etc. For me, I was given the task and project of gathering ideas and quotes for apparel for the guys. Including what kind of shirts we want, quantities, whether or not we want to do a fundraiser or not. Every month members hop on zoom with our kumu and we discuss bullet points of projects and or events coming up for our group. And this past month I was given the opportunity to do a virtual presentation of my gathered quotes and gathered feedback from everyone. I may have been invited into the hālau learning hula and all. But having a job and task that will benefit the guys and the organization is a honor to have, even if it’s as simple as apparel.

Month Three

Presenting my First HO’OKUPU

Ho’okupu wrapped in ti leaf. Credit: https://pmondoy.blogspot.com/

What is ho’okupu? This is an ancient Hawaiian tradition that has remained strong in Hawai’i and involves a gifting and offering to the aina. Usually this is done when entering a new place you haven’t been yet, whether it’s someones home or a pa hula (hula mound). For ho’okupu, there are a few things that are fundamental to perform it properly and of tradition.

Preparing ho’okupu. Credit: https://www.kaahelehawaii.com/

Oli (Chant)

Oli is crucial and depending on where you come from, depends on what is chanted. The story that is chanted usually reflects where you or the hālau comes from and tells a story of that location. In our hālau’s case, we learned a chant that represented Nānākuli, depicting ones journey from the sea to the mountains during ancient times, the struggles of the hot sun, harsh terrain, in search of a place to stay. Prior to walking into someones hale or pa hula, the chant is….well chanted and in the end asks for proper permission to enter.

Ho’okupu

Is the gift or offering which is directly offered to the land.

Jason Momoa performs ho’okupu on Mauna Kea

Makana

Makana is an offering to the person and or ohana that is welcoming you or the hālau. My experience was that we were all to get goods and snacks to give to the family to enjoy. It was appropriate this way as it involved to small children, so um a bottle of Jim Bean would just be inappropriate.

Coming down from Mauna Kapu after hula practice on our new spot for hula.

This past weekend was a HUGE hula weekend and packed full of new experiences and I seriously can’t put in words. We all learned our oli to ask for permission, put together our makana and ho’okupu, and just experienced by true first traditional hawaiian ceremony that I was a major part of. Our ceremony was small and private on private property high in the mountains above Kapolei and Nānākuli. We were all welcome to an ancient pa hula that in the past 20 years had been cleared up and excavated for use of doing hula. After our ho’okupu, we entered the pa hula and continued on with hula practice and my god, what a blessing it was to be there. You just could feel the mana (power) in the place!

Dressing Up for the First Time

First time wearing a malo, lei, lei po’o, and kupe’e.

Hula dancers wear a multitude of things and the hawaiian words for all of them, I do not understand or know the names to yet. But at the moment, all I know in these months in being in this voyage of hula is that as a kane, I will at some point where what is called a malo, loincloth that most hula kahiko dancers wear. It’s simply a cloth that covers the front, sometimes the back and hold all the….essentials in place. Our hālau was asked to be in a music video filming kane of several different halaus and it was the perfect time for me to wear one in a setting that didn’t involve hundreds of people, not that that mattered.

While in the outside world, people look at this as unusual or sexual but in fact it is cultural and what was worn in ancient Hawai’i for many many years. Wearing this felt unusual, invasive to “privacy”, and quite tight (better tight than falling off on a roll), but for the sake of diving head first into a culture as I would in my world travels, this is EXACTLY where I wanted to be. Wearing a malo and leis around my ankles, head, and hands performing hula as a Hawaiian transplant like I am.

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General Hawai'i Oʻahu Voyage Journal

My Hula Voyage: Building Up My Body

halau hula practice hula kane

Week 1

Oct. 11: The Hula Voyage Begins: 🤙🏼 Blessed, proud, & ecstatic to announce that I’ve officially joined a hālau hula(hula school) here on O’ahu, Hawai’i. Through a Tiktok I posted a couple of months ago, I was invited by a member of the hālau who gave reference to his kumu (leader) about how I wanted to learn more about Hawaiian culture and find a way to give back. After explaining through a zoom meet, yesterday I had my first practice and absolutely loved it (as I anticipated anyways). My legs hurt (as anticipated also) but ready to get some stronger legs. I am doing this not only for the workout, but to explore the inner roots of these Hawaiian islands through one of its most important features apart from Hawaiian language, and that’s through hula dance which tells a story through hand and arm movements! This experience is something I would seek out in my travels. Blessed to do it right here at home. As of today, I have officially joined the halau.🌺

Week 2: True Commitment

Oct. 17: This evening was my second hula practice and was incredible. My core and leg strength has dramatically improved in the past week now that I’m committed to hula, and PROUD. But something happened in the practice that really hit me. As we practiced our hula learned from last week with today’s additions, our kumu (leader) added his oli (chant) while we were all dancing. This is when I realized, I AM REALLY DOING THIS😍! I can’t believe it!!!! It also felt so empowering to be a contribution in preserving such a strong cultural practice and that is Hawaiian hula🌺. On the very mound where ancient practices by Hawaiians took place. Words can describe only so much. The feeling is totally something else. So blessed!!!!! 🌺🌺🌺🌺

Week 4: Spiritual Reset:

Took a trip to the mainland for a long overdue return home to visit family. It’d been 3 and a half years since I left for travel and would eventually move to Hawai’i. During my time home, I had time to do a Zoom call with some of the guys of the halau. Being away from Hawai’i during my new commitment but being in the familiar place of my home was weird but allowed me some unique appreciation for the blessing I had become a part of. While I was away, I stuck to routine leg work outs to keep my legs strong for my return. I needed it!

Month One

Nov. 22: Back in Hawai’i as of Thursday and wasn’t sure I’d make it back for practice due to my work schedule and transport issues. But it was meant to be as one of the other hālau members was able to give me a lift as he lives on this side of the island. (Hula practice is a bit far) Usually he’s busy and unable to go to practice but today was a special day . Although I’ve practiced on my own, practicing on the hula mound is where the true workout is and was really intense coming back. Truly showed me how important it is to show up and practice. Got a chance to meet some older members to get some inspiration for newbies like myself and ever greater of a reminder that it’s a blessing to be a part of something so big! One of the members snapped this shot of practicing! 🌺(I am directly below the sun)

Two weeks later..

Dec. 7: Meeting Older Guys of the Halau: Paying tribute to the passing of our Kumu’s dear mom who was the foundation and inspiration for the hālau. This gave the ability and chance to meet many of the older guys of the Halau, some from the beginning. Seeing everybody old and new (myself) coming together on the hula mound was really inspiring as it allowed me to see first hand what I’ll be learning and how rewarding the hard work will be. Doing some of what I’ve learned and observing first hand what I’ll continue to learn. It was also nice to see the unified brother hood that is this hālau and beyond blessed and grateful to be welcomed in. It also provided more in depth meaning of the hālau, what it stands for, and what it does for the guys that even if I had just joined two months ago, has done for me as well. I joined the right hālau I’ve been told and I believe it so. This year has been a rough journey, one that would knock me off my tracks with the travel plans I had. But I got knocked into something with a deeper and greater life meaning that will mold me to become a greater kāne….a warrior! 🌺🤙🏼

Month Two

Dec. 12: Learning Couples Hula: This past Saturday was a new journey within an already new journey. Kumu and I and a couple of other guys of the halau took a drive up to Hau’ula towards the north short of O’ahu to meet up with another halau of mostly wahine (women) and some kane (men) to do hula palua (couples hula). Having learned some basic male warrior style hula, this was completely new to me learning some movements in hula that most of the world knows of. It was strange taking the little I’m still learning and applying it to another new lesson with the opposite sex. But at the same time, it was a lot of fun learning something new and seeing just how far I can go with this incredible hula experience. Can’t stress how blessed I am to experience all of this. Stay tuned 🌸

Dec. 19: Getting A Hawaiian Name: This weeks practice was beyond special than anything I’ve ever experiences in Hawai’i period. Greater than all the places I’ve seen and even joining the halau itself. My kumu pulled me aside and asked me what Hawaiian names mean and I gave him my best educated answer based on what I read and my Polynesian experiences across the islands. After a long enlightening chat with my kumu, I was officially given a Halau name or in simple terms, a Hawaiian name with really incredibly special significance to me and the halau. When given a halau name, it’s something that should be sacred and special to you, not to go off and say HEY, I am (name goes here). I mean you can do whatever you want but for the special meaning that’s to be had and what I learned from my kumu, is that it’s not just a name that grows on you. It’s a name you grow with and into, in simplest terms I can describe.

How did/do I feel? I feel absolutely blessed and grateful to the stars and back. I mean, I was almost short on words. I don’t know, maybe it’s an exaggeration from a local or haole standpoint. But from my heart, spirit, and soul…this means the world to me and excited to grow into my Hawaiian name…..

Ka’ikelaulā!

Hula Voyage Continues: Check Out Part 3 (Coming Soon)

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Hawai'i Oʻahu

Visiting the USS Arizona, is an ‘EXPERIENCE’

uss arizona pearl harbor

Visiting Pearl Harbor is a must do in Hawai’i whether you’re a tourist or a resident. And while there are endless blogs and Youtube videos regarding experiencing the USS Arizona, I still won’t hesitate to share mine. I’m a person who really loves and enjoys history, not just as a pastime, but as a traveler, it allows for deeper meaning, understanding, and appreciation when I make it to a place. It’s an learning experience I have taken with me across historic sites in Europe to the isolated atolls of the Central Pacific. Visiting the USS Arizona, was one of those places right here in my current island home of O’ahu.

I have visited Pearl Harbor once before but only visited the submarine Bowfin as well as the Aviation Museum. But a few days ago amidst the barricades of the coronavirus pandemic, I found it a priority to make the simple trip to a site that is so simple to visit. Like anyone else would, I entered the visitors center, put my name on the wait list, & waited 30 minutes before hopping on a Navy operated boat bound for the memorial for the sunken USS Arizona. Arriving at the Memorial is a smooth disembarking experiences walking up a handicap ramp and into the white structure that is in place of a memorial hovering right over the sunken hull as if you’re hovering over the resting place of over a thousand souls from the attack of Dec 7 1941.

While I can write a post about walking in and around the memorial, I really wanted to emphasize the importance of one thing: MINDFULNESS. The memorial was built and completed in 1962, and structurally composed to create an experience for the visitor and that is exactly what it was for me, an experience. The space and design of the memorial allows you to take in the loss experienced during the attack and what remains of the hull underwater to a point of being overwhelming to the spirit. At the rear of the memorial and to the port side of the Arizona, are all the names of those perished. Here is where I broke down, cried, and truly felt the experience that should be had here. The combination of the aesthetics of the memorial and the education I’ve attained of the attack, it brought me to the moment I felt was necessary for the visit.

That’s really it honestly! Simple of a post that reflects the simplicity of this visit. If you ever make it to O’ahu and plan to visit the USS Arizona, try and educate yourself on the attack itself. And then when you go, take a step back from yourself and your trip, and take it all in….for the experience!

Postcard from that visit to Pearl Harbor.

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General Hawai'i Oʻahu Voyage Journal

My Hula Voyage: How I Started

hula kane kahiki

2 Months Prior to joining

Credit: Ke ola Magazine

July – October: 2020 A Few months before joining a hālau, I had a vision of things I wanted to experience in Hawai’i, 5 of them in particular. I uploaded a Tiktok highlighting 5 Cultural Experience I would like to have while living in Hawai’i and received the most incredible replies from the local community. From “Mahalo for caring for our culture” to “we need more people like you”. Out of the many, a few tried to convince me to join a hālau hula, basically a school that teaches hula. Why a hālau? Because it will teach you nearly every aspect there is to Hawaiian culture. And if there is any one thing about Hawai’i that has maintained and preserved Hawaiian culture so strongly, it’s HULA. One of the replies would be from one of the members of the current hālau I am in.

He said, “Honestly, I think you’re the only one that comes here for the right reasons. U Wanna join a hālau hula? Let me know, we are always looking for warriors.” We would exchange messages via Tiktok’s messaging service. I would ask innocent questions about monthly fees, location of practice, what a kumu does and such and so forth. He asked about me, where I am from and how long I’ve been here will putting in word with his kumu to arrange a meet. With covid rampant, I suggested a Zoom meet, and that’s when I met my future kumu.

@aperezvoyages

I have so much love and respect for everything Hawai’i🌺 Let’s connect! #hawaii #fyp #foryou #hawaiilife #culture #olelohawaii #pacificislands #aloha

♬ Makee ‘Ailana – Dennis Pavao

Sept. 9: Yesterday I was in a zoom with a kumu (leader) of a Hula hālau (hula school) to get to know me and to know more about the hālau. I posted a Tiktok a couple of months ago sharing the top cultural experiences I wanted to have in Hawai’i and connected with so many people in the Hawaiian community. One of these people would be the one to gracefully invite me in as “we are always looking for warriors.” Because of covid, there isn’t too much hope in checking it out and getting started but I can’t wait for that day where I get a chance to dive deeper into Hawaiian culture. No better way to do it than join a hālau. 🌺

The second coronavirus outbreak on O’ahu was a difficult and trying time with a high infection rate and high stress. Hula practice was out of the question as parks were closed and this hālau practices in a park. But once the pandemic settled on O’ahu, I found myself attending my first practice on their hula mound and would start a journey of one of the greatest experiences of my travels thus far.

Mural near the Pu’uokapolei hula mound.