Aloha!  Since I’m on the quest for my readers to learn more about blue crush destinations, featuring the most beautiful beaches on the planet, I personally could not resist covering Hawai’i sooner than later.  And, I have a handful of beach babes in my family so I picked my youngest cousin Theresa to feature in this edition of Island Beach Babes.  Just as I asked Riselle from St Maarten, here are answers to similar questions I asked Theresa.

For those of you who have never been to Hawai’i, please make it a point to go one day.  It is a laid back and beautiful sight to see.  Hawai’i is comprised of eight islands, but there are four that are the largest and most inhabited:  Big Island/Hawai’i, Kaua’i, O’ahu and Mau’i.  I grew up on the island of O’ahu, in a small town called Kahuku.  Home to Kahuku High School and the Kahuku Red Raiders, is a small town nationally known for producing a handful of NFL players.  And surely, if you blink you will miss!  It is also the neighboring town to La’ie where Brigham Young University-Hawaii is located.

My great grandmother migrated from the Philippines to work in the sugar cane fields, when the sugar mill in Kahuku was still running.  She had her kids in Kahuku, some who moved back to the Philippines, got married there and had kids, then moved back to Hawai’i to call it home again.  At one point, and pretty typical, ten of us lived in a quaint home.  You can imagine it’s collapse with the couple hurricanes and tropical storms we survived back in the day, but it stood firm and is still there today.  It is located on a corner lot, right next to a golf course that overlooks Kahuku beach.  We had the best memories living there while growing up.  The golf course and beach was our playground and we were the original vendors selling golf balls and soda to the golfers.  Not bad for all of us cousins under the age of 15!  Summers were days of bonfires, swimming and star gazing.  Oh how I miss the stars out in the country sky, away from the city lights. 

What’s typical in Hawai’i is a multi-family and generational home where a mom, dad, uncle, auntie, grandma, grandpa and grandkids all live together under one roof and surprisingly in peace 😉  It may be hard to comprehend, but it is a way of life and one filled with much joy and a recipe for great memories.  Before my cousin moved to Central Oahu, Wahiawa, we all lived together in our little plantation house in Kahuku where up to 2014, four generations lived.  My family of four lived in one room, my cousin and her family of four lived in another and my grandma and grandpa in the third bedroom.  It wasn’t until I was a freshman in high school when my sister and I finally had our own room together, but shared with our grandma.

Until this day, I call Kahuku home.  I left right after high school to attend the University of Texas in Arlington, but I try to go home 1-3 times per year since I love being home.  I was one of those island kids itching to leave the ‘rock’ but little did I know, I left a beautiful life and place.  But that’s life, and I didn’t want to give up so I stayed and finished school and when I had my son, stayed to raise him in Texas.  No regrets, but I’m very grateful to still have home and family to go to when I desire.  I love Hawai’i and I know it’s definitely because I came from such a close knit family and until this day, when I call on my cousins we all manage to have a beach day or family day and reminisce on the good times and talk now about the younger generation we produced!  Theresa, is one of those cousins.  She is always quick to get together for a hike or day at the beach when I’m home.  I love her, if I must say!  If I’m fortunate enough, I’ll call Hawai’i home again, in the future.

So…that was a little background on my link to the island of O’ahu but please meet your Hawaiian Beach Babe, Theresa!

How long have you lived in Hawaii (Oahu)?  I was born and raised on Oahu.  Lived here most of my life.

Fave beach spot on your island?  Favorite beach, that’s a tough one lol I would say Haleiwa beach. Great beach to learn how to surf, paddle board and kayak.

Best top 3 must-see’s for first time travelers to your island…Best Top 3 Must See’s for me would be Manoa Falls, Polynesian Cultural Center, and catching the sunrise on Lanikai Pillbox hike.

The best island destination you’ve ever been to…The best island destination I’ve ever been to is Waimea Canyons on the island of Kaua’i.  It makes you feel like you’re not in Hawaii.  The canyons are just breathtaking.

The common misconception about island life?  The common misconception about island life is that most people on the mainland still think we live in huts and wear grass skirts lol Also, they don’t know we’re a part of the U.S. and Hawaii is made up of 8 different islands.