Aloha Hawai'i

What a great experience! I went on a one week exchange student trip to Hawaii’s main island, Oahu. Like our leaders told us on the first night, Hawaii is a magical place. There is no explanation for that, you have to go and feel it yourself. My experience of Hawaii and it’s culture was wonderful and unforgettable. So if anyone’s looking for a place to spend your holidays, I would totally recommend Hawaii. 

The sunset in Hawaii is special  
One of the most beautiful beaches in the world  
Proud to be a Finn 
 
This local girl wanted a picture with the foreign girls!  
This is called pu. When you blow in it, it makes a sound and informs the harbor that the boat is returning.  
 A-L-O-H-A 
 
Honolulu city, the capital of Oahu  
Matching Hawaiian name bracelets  
International friends  
The surfer's beach, North Shore  
The world's best pineapple  
Finnish girls representing, the flag's upside down  
Our group on the North Shore  
Can you see the magic?  
I was so glad to see this girl again!  

We learned a lot during this trip and I found my new favourite sport! The Hawaiian people are extremely sweet, happy and I have to say this, good looking. The language reminds me of Finnish in a funny way. We had a lot of fun pronoucing the name of the state fish: Humuhumunukunukuapua’a. I think us Finns did very well! I also learned that besides hello and goodbye Aloha means sharing the breath of life. Alo means face to face and ha means sharing the breath. Did you also think that hulahula dance was all about the hips? At least I did, but I learned that hands are the most important part. In hulahula dance, you’re telling a story with your hands! 

Polynesian cultural center  
After a hulahula lesson  
This other dance was all about the hips  
This is the size of a surfboard for beginners  
And this is how you rock it  
I touched a sea turtle!! So cool  
Still excited about it!!  
Hiking to the Diamond Head  
The winners who made it to the top  
 Kayaking with this Swiss ku'uipo (sweet heart)
 
Jumping to the 'Queen's Bath'  
Ukulele lesson  
We're all about that beach life  
Already missing these guys

I bet that there’s no Hawaiian woman who hasn’t worn a flower in her hair before. For a tourist it seems to be just a cute accessory, but there are actually rules for it. If you wear it on the left side, it means you are taken. If it’s on the right side, it signifies single, ready to mingle! If the pua (flower) is on top of your head, it just means that you are confused or the situation if complicated. A good way of remembering this rule is to wear your flower on the same side as your wedding ring.

Going to Hawaiian party  
Another unforgettable sunset 
 
 He taught all the things you can do with a coconut  
 Saw old ones and made some new friends  
 Honolulu city on the background  
That face is called 'the happy face'  
 We love Hawaii 
 
 Like I said, they're good looking  
 Their dance show was so hilarious!  
 Pearl Harbor Day 
 
 USS Arizona Memorial  
Selfie stick as it's best
 
 "The cure for anything is salt water. Sweat, tears or the sea."  
The last night in paradise  
 Extremely happy 
 
 Beautiful lights in L.A, going to see those better in 36 days!


My travel back to Wisconsin was an adventure, because we had a snow storm and everything was cancelled for a while. Luckily I have a caring host mother who proved her powers and got me safely home. Even though Hawaii was perfect, it's good to be back home in WI. 

I hope you enjoyed the pictures and didn't get too jealous! Mahalo (thank you) & aloha vau ia oe (love you)

- Heini