Maybe it's the sweltering heat.

Or the long days.

Or the anticipation of that vacation you've got coming up.

But summer has long been the backdrop for romance and love.

Danny and Sandy from "Grease" met during the summer.

Jim lost his virginity at the end of his senior year of high school in "American Pie."

And Baby fell for dance instructor Johnny at a family summer camp in "Dirty Dancing."

So what is it about summer and love?

"People have more time during the summer, they're more relaxed and they're in more situations where they're meeting new people," said Dr. Diane Thompson, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa. "Whether (the romance starts) on a cruise or on vacation, people just feel more open."

And more inspired to get out there.

Neighborhoods turn into block parties. Beaches fill up with scantily clad bodies. Lineups at surf breaks are packed.

"Even as a working individual, there is something in the air," said Christa Wittmier, a 30-year-old who lives downtown. "I mean, it's like we have resistors in our brains that tell us to chill out and drink more lemonade and go to more pool parties."

Naturally, local clubs and bars get a surge in patrons during the summer months, when people are taking advantage of the longer days and cooling off with ice-cold beers and martinis.

And what often comes with the laid-back, feel-good attitude of summer is love, whether it's a full-fledged romance or a short-lived hookup.

"Oh, there's a lot of that going on here, from what I've seen," laughed Heath Howard, manager at the Mai Tai Bar in Ala Moana Center, which sees a nearly 20 percent jump in business in the summer. "There's no doubt we see more people here in the summer. Absolutely."

TIME TO PARTY

Summer romance can blossom anywhere, from backyard barbecues to canoe regattas to wedding receptions.

Kekoa Heflin, 39, of Kaimuki, met a dancer at a bachelor party earlier this summer.

At first they were just flirting. But by night's end — and after a few drinks — they had exchanged phone numbers and promises to hang out.

Weeks later, they still talk and text-message all the time. But it's casual — and that's fine with Heflin.

"I guess it shows you never know," he said.

Carlos Gillis, a 20-year-old from Kaimuki, meets a lot of girls — romantic or not — who vacation here.

The short-term nature of these encounters works for now for Gillis, who doesn't want to jump too quickly into a relationship.

Plus, it's fun.

"It's exciting," he said. "I'm a spontaneous person, and you know it's not going to get boring because they're here only so long."

Meeting new people — male or female — is part of the vacation experience, he said.

He's made friends on many of his trips — even on the plane ride — from California to Nicaragua. And he's good about staying in touch.

"It's all been pretty fun," he said.

Wittmier can't seem to resist all the parties and events going on during the summer.

She has a long list of places she frequents, from NextDoor in Chinatown to E&O Trading Co. at Ward Centre to anything going on at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

Though she's not involved in any fleeting summer romance this year, Wittmier has noticed the love around her.

"There are two very distinct time periods when the pheromones are in overdrive: right before the holidays and in the beginning of summer," she said. "You want someone to love and adore and cherish and introduce to your whole family as the love of your life for those holiday months. And in the summer, you want someone to travel with and cuddle in the a/c with and take to twilight concerts and show your tan lines to."

FULFILLING FANTASIES

Finding long-lasting love on a summer vacation may be improbable — but it's not impossible. Beth Baker of Manoa fell instantly in love with Gilberto Vallarino two years ago on a summer cruise in Vancouver, British Columbia.

He was the good-looking first officer from Panama; she was a single college student.

But they never spoke to each other.

A year later, in June 2005, Baker went on another cruise, this time to Europe. Coincidentally — or fatefully — Vallarino was on that cruise, too.

"Before I ever boarded the ship, while I was checking in with my luggage, he was the first person I saw," said Baker, 23. "I was so happy to see him that I jumped on him and gave him a hug."

During the two-month cruise, though, they hardly spoke to each other again. Baker was resigned to admire him from a distance.

But in August, 10 days before the end of the cruise, the two began talking, even planning to meet up in Panama later that year.

Nothing happened, but Baker was sure they'd someday get married.

She returned to Hawai'i, convinced that they were destined to be together.

"I knew that there was something about him that I couldn't just walk away from," Baker said. "It was too weird that we were on the same boat together for a total of five months. And I knew I had to see him again."

A month later Baker did what most only fantasize about: She impulsively bought a ticket and boarded a plane to see Vallarino in Panama.

She stayed with Vallarino for two weeks.

In November he visited Hawai'i for two weeks — and proposed. Baker quit her job and left the country, Panama-bound.

The couple married on July 14 in his native country; their U.S. wedding is scheduled for Aug. 19 on O'ahu.

"Never in a million years did I think I would get married to my dream man," Baker gushed.

UNFORGETTABLE LOVE

Sometimes the love you find in the heat of summer is the one you never forget.

Gayle Nakama, 55, still fondly recalls her brief romance with a cook she met as a waitress at Like Like Drive Inn in the summer of 1984.

They would go out to dinners and dance at the old Da Vinci, Babylon and The Point After clubs. Sometimes they would just hang out at the beach at night, under the stars.

"It was animal magnetism," said Nakama, a mother of four from 'Aina Haina. "We did so much, had so much fun. I never found a dancing partner like him."

The pair continued dating for a few months before calling it quits.

Nakama quickly dated someone else — total rebound, she said — and got married.

It's a decision she regrets to this day.

"It's sad because had I not met my husband, he would've made his move," said Nakama, who was married for almost 18 years before getting a divorce. "We would've had a chance."

Though 22 years have passed since their summer affair, Nakama still can't get him — and that romance — out of her mind.

"I will always love him," she said. "It could've worked out in a different place at a different time. We were really good together. ... He will always be the greatest love of my life."

SUMMER CLOCK IS TICKING …

Summer’s not over yet!

There are still plenty of

opportunities to get out and have a good time.

Here are some greet-and-meet spots to head to today:



• Sunday nights at Duke’s Canoe Club Waikiki are usually hopping. Check out Henry Kapono playing from 4 to 6 p.m. today — and sample Kimo’s Original Hula Pie ($6.50). FYI: It’s big enough to share.

922-2268 or www.dukeswaikiki.com.



• Kick back with a beer and some garlic fries ($5.50) at Gordon Biersch at Aloha Tower Marketplace. Today’s Sunday Sunset Jam with Nä Kama kicks off at 5 p.m. 599-4877, www.gordonbiersch.com.



• After a sunset surf session in Waikïkï, paddle in to Tiki’s Grill & Bar to listen to the Ka'ala Boys from 6 to 8 p.m. (Christian and Sani take over afterward, until 10:30 p.m.) Pair your cold beverage with some spicy Thai spring rolls ($9.99) or coconut shrimp ($10.99). 923-8454, www.tikisgrill.com.



• Night-crawlers can head to Fashion 45 at the Waikiki Trade Center for "Refine," featuring a blend of hip-hop, R&B and groove, complete with go-go dancers. Music runs from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. 21 and older. 922-4599, www.fashion45hawaii.com.



• Not a night person? Head to Cha Cha Cha Salsaria in Hawai'i Kai for lunch. Listen to jazz, courtesy of Sonny Silva, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. while feasting on a spicy beef quesadilla ($6.75). 395-7797, www.chacha chasalsaria.com.



• After cruising Ala Moana Center, head upstairs to the Mai Tai Bar where Kimo Opiana will be playing during happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. (Katchavibe picks up until 1 a.m.) Cool off with a caramel apple martini or a frozen raspberry margarita. 947-2900, www.maitaibar.com/hawaii.html



• Mellow out with guitarist Bryan Kessler from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at The Veranda at The Kahala Hotel & Resort. Pair your glass of wine with püpü such as the tomato naan ($9) or the smoked salmon carpaccio ($14). 739-8760, www.kahalaresort.com.



• Take a hike. A walking tour of historic Nu'uanu Valley starts at 1 p.m. today. Meet at the state Capitol, near the Fa--ther Damien statue. 948-3299.



— Catherine E. Toth

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.