All posts in Site News

Thank You x 100,000

by Coty on March 26, 2013 in Site News with No comments

It’s been about a year-and-a-half since Exploration: Hawaii was founded and we’ve hit a pretty awesome milestone, 100,000 views! That means that 100,000 pairs of eyeballs have seen, scrolled, flicked, and swiped through the Exploration: Hawaii website. We’d like to thank the die-hard readers (you know who you are) who regularly come back and visit the site to see what we’ve been up to. You are the ones who drive this website and push us to keep delivering interesting content to help keep you adventurous. So, Thank You x 100,000.

Now, if we could ask you for one more favor… please “Like” the official Exploration: Hawaii page on Facebook!

Seriously, thanks! ...and thanks to Allison for the awesome photo that I destroyed by turning into a faux comic!

Seriously, thanks! …and thanks to Allison for the awesome photo that I destroyed by turning into a faux comic!

Download Exploration: Hawaii iPhone Wallpapers (Series 1)

by Coty on February 26, 2013 in Products, Site News with 3 Comments

Some of you may have noticed the new Exploration: Hawaii logo. Yep, we’ve got a fresh new logo! And now, we’ve got some fresh iPhone 5 (and 4/S) wallpapers for you to use. Each of the four designs are super fun, featuring the iconic views from the Kahekili-Manamana trail, a totally stoked Hawaiian turtle, and of course the Happy Face Spider. We’ve got two versions of the Happy Face Spider wallpaper, one of which features the Exploration: Hawaii motto: Stay Rad, Hawaii. Download links are at the bottom of the post. I hope that you enjoy!

On the left we have a classic view of the Kahekili-Manamana Trail with the Exploration: Hawaii patch logo. On the right we have a Hawaiian Turtle being rad.

On the left we have a classic view of the Kahekili-Manamana Trail with the Exploration: Hawaii patch logo. On the right we have a Hawaiian Turtle being rad.

Ah, it's our buddy the Happy Face Spider! On the left we have the classic Exploration: Logo. On the right we've got the Exploration: Hawaii catchphrase, "Stay Rad, Hawaii." Things get really cool if you've got the wallpaper on the right and then a text message comes in. It's like the Happy Face Spider is talking to you!

Ah, it’s our buddy the Happy Face Spider! On the left we have the classic Exploration: Logo. On the right we’ve got the Exploration: Hawaii catchphrase, “Stay Rad, Hawaii.” Things get really cool if you’ve got the wallpaper on the right and then a text message comes in. It’s like the Happy Face Spider is talking to you!

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Happy Thanksgiving: 2012 Edition

by Coty on November 22, 2012 in Site News with No comments

Hau‘oli lā Ho‘omaika‘i or Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Exploration: Hawaii to all of you. It’s your duty today to eat a lot of turkey and pumpkin pie. Calories you say? Don’t worry about the calories, you can always burn them off on an island adventure on Black Friday. And since you’ve got tons to select from (see the archives) choosing one won’t be a problem. Be safe out there and happy trails!

Mahalo to Justin Waits (radargeek on Flickr) for this vintage postcardscan from 1972. Justin has an interesting collection of photos on his Flickr photostream titled “Found Photos.” These are photos that he inherited from his mother-in-law who passed away. ”

“So these aren’t quite ‘found’ photos as they are family, but to my wife and I they are close to the equivalent. We inherited these after my mother-in-law passed away. All her memories were stored in a cedar chest and a few other boxes. All of the memories tossed in together. They’ve survived various conditions (hot/cold) and I’ve had to slowly pry apart most of the photos from others.”

Amongst the many old photos, he found this postcard of Hawaii. The card reads: “Visitors enjoy the warm sands of the beach fronting THE REEF HOTEL at Waikiki” He mentions that it’s a “‘too bad you aren’t here’ card.

This postcard reminded me that there’s so much to be thankful for. Simply living in Hawaii is a blessing, that, relatively few people get to truly experience. I am lucky to be one of those people.

Hey, It’s Our Birthday!

by Coty on August 17, 2012 in Site News with 4 Comments

I’m happy to say that Exploration: Hawaii just turned one! Actually, this happened on the 12th, but who’s keeping track? A lot has happened in the last year. I remember starting this blog after my infamous experience on the Bowman trail en route to Haiku Stairs. I was so excited to share my experience that I had the site up and running in about a day. Since then, the Exploration: Hawaii crew has documented 91 different hikes, all of which you can find on our hikes page. That’s a lot of hiking. That’s also a lot of sweat, mud, laughs, bumps, and bruises.

With that said, Exploration: Hawaii has turned into something more than just a hiking blog. We’ve managed to write about some amazing beaches and underwater adventures, visit ancient Hawaiian relics, review different cruises and catamarans, go ziplining, and even travel to Japan.

What’s in store for the future? Expect a new website logo sometime soon. We’ll continue to work on filling in the gaps on our hikes page. Also, expect more outer-island content. I’d also like to see more guest posts from other Hawaii adventurers. Above all, we’ll continue to do a lot more exploring.

As a birthday gift, please find a specially made wallpaper just for that was designed by yours truly. Other than that, be sure to like us on Facebook, tweet about us, and link back to Exploration: Hawaii. Tell your friends about us and we’ll love you forever.

So until next year, stay chill, Hawaii.

Download the Wallpaper here:

Stay Chill Hawaii - 1440x900 - (514.99 kB)

Stay Chill Hawaii - 2880x1800 - (1.47 MB) Perfect for owners of the new MacBook Pro with Retina Display!

Friends of Leslie Charles Merrell: A Memorial Scholarship Fund

by Coty on March 19, 2012 in Site News with 2 Comments

A scholarship memorial fund has been set up by friends of Leslie Charles Merrell. Donated funds will go toward Merrell’s two daughters.

Friends of Leslie Charles Merrell, the avid hiker who lost his life in a tragic hiking accident on March 18, 2012, have established a Memorial Fund to aid his two teenage daughters during this trying time.

Leslie was a carpenter as well as an avid hiker and outdoorsman. He belonged to the group O’ahu Hikers & Adventurers. As group organizer, Leslie was able to fulfill his hiking passion. He led hikes around the island 2-3 times per week and often repeated his favorite hikes numerous times. Leslie was an integral part of the Hawaii hiking community. Originally from Carrollton, Georgia, Leslie was a widowed husband and the father to two amazing girls.

Every dollar counts! There is a brick-and-mortar account at:

FRIENDS OF LESLIE CHARLES MERRELL
c/o American Savings Bank – Main Branch
PO Box 2300
Honolulu, HI 96804

You can mail contributions of any amount there, or go to any American Savings Bank branch and make a donation to the “FRIENDS OF LESLIE CHARLES MERRELL”. The purpose of this account is to collect donations from the friends of the late Leslie Charles Merrell. The account is a scholarship fund for Leslie’s surviving teenage children, Holly and Kelly Merrell.

The outpouring of support for the Merrell family has been tremendous in the hiking community. Please alert fellow local hikers of this new development from this tragic event.

Thanks. All 10,000 of You.

by Coty on February 1, 2012 in Site News with No comments

Today is a glorious day. Today, Exploration: Hawaii surpassed 10,000 unique visitors. It is especially exciting to know that so many of  you are finding our website organically through Google and other search engines and even through word of mouth. You all are awesome. Here are a few things that some people have been saying about Exploration: Hawaii.

“You have an awesome and very informational website of amazing hikes. I’ll continue to check back for hiking tips and new spots to explore. Your site is by far THEE BEST hiking/outdoors website I’ve come across… and best of all it’s FREE! Thank you!” -Grace

“Just wanted to say how freaking awesome your site is! The tutorials are so detailed and perfect. Please keep posting, your explorations are so great! As a fellow local, they really help me appreciate what we have here on the islands. Plus you just gave me SO MANY MORE activities to do on this island!” -Cassie

“Gorgeous website! This is exactly the kind of resource that I have always been looking for… Great descriptions, great pictures, and sweet logo.” -Arlen

“These guys know all of the best hikes on Oahu and have the pics to prove it!” -Joseph

So, Thank You. All 10,000 of you. We’ll promise to keep writing and keep posting crazy photos if you keep visiting exploring. We’ve got some very exciting stuff coming up so definitely keep an eye out! Oh, and please Like us on Facebook!

The above image is courtesy of Etsy seller, Quilting Cafe. Please visit her Etsy store for some great quilts. 

Mele Kalikimaka 2011

by Coty on December 24, 2011 in Site News with No comments

Mele Kalikimaka or Merry Christmas from all of us at Exploration: Hawaii to all of you! We hope that you eat a lot of Christmas ham and peppermint candy canes. Don’t worry about the calories, you can always burn it off on a hike and since you’ve got tons to select from (see the archives) choosing one won’t be a problem. Be safe out there and happy trails!

…And Marvin, it’s pronounced: meh-leh-kah-lee-kee-mah-kah

Mahalo to Postcard Paradise for this vintage postcard scan from 1957. Be sure to visit The Daily Postcard to read what was written on the back of this vintage Hawaiian postcard.

Happy Thanksgiving

by Coty on November 24, 2011 in Site News with No comments

Hau‘oli lā Ho‘omaika‘i or Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Exploration: Hawaii to all of you. We hope that you eat a lot of turkey and pumpkin pie. Don’t worry about the calories, you can always burn it off on a hike and since you’ve got tons to select from (see the archives) choosing one won’t be a problem. Be safe out there and happy trails!

…And Marvin, it’s pronounced: how-oh-lee la ho-o-my-ka-ee

Mahalo to The Daily Postcard for this vintage postcard scan from 1957. Be sure to visit The Daily Postcard to read what was written on the back of this vintage Hawaiian postcard.

Aloha World!

by Coty on August 12, 2011 in Site News with 3 Comments

Welcome to Exploration: Hawaii. This is the official website of the Oahu Adventure Dudes (we are still in discussions on this name). Exploration: Hawaii is your new guide to some of the most exciting and thrilling things that you can do in the 50th state.

Who are the Oahu Adventure Dudes? We are a group of friends who are into doing a lot of fun stuff in Hawaii. We are students and alumni from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and all we want to do is have some adventurous fun in this beautiful state.

Above: View of “The Hole In The Rock” located at La’ie Point on the island of Oahu.