"Are We Still in America?"

"Life is a celebration of passionate colors!" ~Leialoha Cator

Everything is at its best, in Hawaii. 

The sky and sea are BLUE.

The plants and flowers are GREEN and PINK and RED and ORANGE 

and YELLOW and

every other color, at its brightest, most vivid.

It's so easy to imagine what Heaven could be like. 

Every day was filled with sun, smiles, sweets {and sushi!}. 

Even the flavors are more powerful in Hawaii. 

{I'm not biased at all... what even gave you the thought...}

It was lovely to spend a week in paradise with Ken-kun and his family. 

I don't think my heart ever stopped smiling. 

The view from my window in Utah is trees and mountains. 

Looking out the window of the wedding hotel, 

we saw open sea 

and skippers where rocks would be. 

I thought KK was respectful and considerate, 

and when I met his family, I instantly knew where it came from. 

They welcomed me into their home,

gave me a room in the Hawaii Prince hotel for the wedding...

...sat me at the served family table for the reception, 

made sure all my meals were gluten-free, 

and made me feel like part of the family. 

I am still beside myself with gratitude.

Once the wedding and reception were over, 

KK and I took to the pearly beaches of O'ahu.

I have a fear of deep water, open water, 

any water I can't see the end of.

But KK was a patient refresher of snorkeling techniques,
and let me lead the way across the coral gardens of Hanauma Bay.

We were told turtles liked to dine on the crunchy corals,
but not to expect to see them.
A dream came true when I not only found one,
but one that swam alongside and rode the waves inches from me.

Aloha!

On our way down the road, 

we stopped by the Dole Pineapple Plantation. 

There was delicious Dole Whip waiting for us,
along with pineapples of every shape, size, and color.

At the Polynesian Cultural Center, 

we watched as women and men 

shook their hips...

...and clapped their hands 

to their respective island songs.

We wandered from village to village 

to learn more about the traditions of the natives. 

Samoans are talented coconut tree climbers!

We feasted at a luau, 

pit-roasted pig and all!

They had purple bread there. 

Purple. Bread. 

Made from a special root 

that agreed well with my stomach.

On our last day, we found a place even KK didn't know about.

Kahe Point Beach Park has waters clear as glass,

fish as bright as flowers,

and even bigger turtles to swim with.

Even though Hawaii is level with the sea,

I swear it's closer to Heaven than any other place in this world.

Footage & Images: Ashley Serena, Cory Grant

Music: "Missin' You Like Crazy" by Michael Alvarado feat. Carissa Rae