Summer: Catch a wave or even just kick back

Advertiser Staff

"Summertime turns the ocean at Makaha Beach into Lake Pacifica, with waters so clear and tranquil that snorkel-ing is at its best. Shell-spotting is a snap. The turtles seem to enjoy the calmness, too, even popping up to view us eye to eye. I love Makaha summers." — Mikki Burden, Makaha Valley Towers "Summer is a clean shallow dive into transparent Lanikai waters on a hot afternoon. Bliss is floating above seven baby angelfish, yellow against the dark coral. Memories of summer are born, swimming alongside a sea turtle by the whitest of beaches." — Cathi Sanders, Lanikai "Summer in Sunset Beach meant sneaking out to the beach in the morning before Mom woke up. We would explore the exposed reef, looking in the tide pools and crevices for the shy sea creatures that hid there. Or we would visit Auntie Mary for pipikaula and poi, for breakfast." — Donna L. Narvaez Sato, 'Aiea

Don't let the air-conditioning keep you inside. There's a whole summer out there to enjoy.

What's that? Do we hear mumbling that there's no such thing as summer in Hawai'i?

Au contraire! There are subtle distinctions between Hawai'i's beautiful year-round climate and the Hawaiian summer's beautiful climate. Here's how you can take advantage of summer in Hawai'i:

1. Enjoy Hawai'i's summer's bounty, such as the dripping fresh starfruit, lychee and island-grown watermelon at farmers' markets or roadside stands.

Fresh fruit shouldn't be more than a hop, skip or jump from your home, as the People's Open Markets host farmer bonanzas at 25 locations islandwide on various days of the week. Call 522-7088 for details or see www.co.honolulu .hi.us/parks/programs/pom to learn dates, times and locations.

2. Camp out or have a family picnic under one of those canopy tents that mark you as an akamai kama'aina. The state government offers free camping permits to spend the weekend at one of 15 beach parks, such as the popular Bellows Field Beach Park and Kualoa Regional Park. Call ahead, though, to 523-4527 or drop by the Municipal Building or satellite city halls to sign up.

3. Catch a south-shore swell on surfboard or bodyboard ... but watch out for the little guys trying to catch the same swell (summer belongs to them, too). Waikiki has board rentals at several spots, and many offer kama'aina discounts. Bring a state-issued ID, though we've heard of one place that took a Costco card as proof of residency.

4. Revel in the light(er) traffic ... to really get into it, slow down, roll down the windows and play some reggae on the radio. Tunes to get you started: "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash; "Reggae Music" by Bob Marley; "Many Rivers to Cross" by Jimmy Cliff.

5. Get above it all on one of the hikes with a view, and take advantage of this season's longer daylight hours. If you leave work early, you might have time for the hike in Diamond Head Crater. Be sure to be out by 6 p.m., when the park closes.

On the Windward side, the best time to hike is summer's drier months. The Lanikai trail past the ridgetop pillboxes may not be nearly as lush, but it's not as wet at the trailhead, either. And the Maunawili Falls hike is not nearly as muddy.

6. Slurp a shave ice and take life as it comes. Enjoy the beauty all around us, as our readers counsel.