Hawaii - February & March, 2026
My friends and I visited Maui, Kauai, and the Island of Hawaii (Big Island). All photography credits on this trip go to my awesome friend Nick Steele.
Rhino Pop: He Stole the Show!
Do you ever have such a life-changing trip compelling you to adopt an animal? We visited the Maui Cat Cafe (not once, but twice), and by the end of the second visit, I was adamant parenting was in my future. Welcome to Colorado, Rhino Pop! There’s a very clever volunteer service that bring Hawaiian cats back to the contiguous United States of America. I’m one of the lucky 1200 to parent one.
Maui: Kihei & Lahaina, February 2026
We started our trip on Maui, and without us realizing, we went smack dab in the middle of whale watching season. I grew up in San Diego and constantly went on whale watch tours, never to see any. This made a prior lifetime of disappointment worth it on its own.
If you’re ever here, Sea Maui is the perfect boat to whale watch or snorkel.
My first introduction to Rhino, our group picture with RP, and Pop looking very sad as I departed.
Kauai: March 2026
As February 2026 came to a close, so did our stay on Maui. We flew to Kauai, and frankly, 24 hours here wasn’t enough. Since visiting, I’ve called Kauai the dive bar of Hawaii (in the most endearing way possible).
We woke up at 5:30am towards the end of a long trip for a “sunrise” on Lydgate Beach (I get it, we can’t control the weather). Next, we visited Poipu Beach and saw the biggest dang turtles I have ever seen. Also pictured, my squeaking chicken from ABC Stores met its match.
Island of Hawaii: Kona, March 2026
Our third and final island of our unforgettable trip - the Big Island! I am personally fascinated by volcanoes, and visiting Kona felt like stepping foot on a new world. Like Kauai, one day here wasn’t enough. We caught the sunset of a lifetime before we left.
Kona, HI during sunset. Check out the beaches here and go parasailing with UFO Parasail!
