We just spent a few days on Kaua’i and were reminded just how much we love getting away to the Hawaiian islands. This was maybe my fifth or sixth trip to Kaua’i in as many years. Before I met my wife I had never been to Hawai’i – and now I wouldn’t want to think about not being able to go back.
It is sort of strange to me, but some people have mixed feelings about Kaua’i and its place as ranked among the different destinations in the Hawaiian archipelago. Some swear by the Big Island. Others insist upon Maui. But to me, Kaua’i is just too much of a magical place. We tend to stick to the South Shore when we visit, and can’t speak highly enough about Kukui’ula. They have cottages that get club access – which makes for the perfect Hawaiian vacation and some great golf too. Worth looking into if you want a really amazing Kaua’i experience.
Back on the mainland, I came across this great story on Indoek about a little house that this couple recently built in Hawai’i (which I assume is on Kaua’i because of the chickens running around), and it got me thinking about when we can go back. Life on Hawai’i is just too good to stay away from for long.
It’s been a busy year so far and I’ve been thinking a lot about big picture stuff. About this site and my other work and how I want to approach it this year and going forward. It’s been a long time since I started writing here. I needed a break from “producing content”, which honestly gets really old after a while. I’ve wanted to actually enjoy experiences more than I wanted to document them. Nine years of blogging is a lifetime.
It’s also been interesting to see how people interact with this site and how social media has changed the landscape of blogs. It doesn’t seem like people wake up in the morning and check all of their favorite sites in the same way they once did. Obviously everything changes, the world changes, and I’m not really surprised by any of it.
I’ve come to realize that I’d rather just write when I feel like I have something to say and not just chase pageviews for advertisers. That’s why I changed the ad structure of this site late last year. I recently wrote something for the new GQ Style magazine (which comes out soon) and it was so enjoyable to just put pen to paper and talk about a subject I am really interested in. No instant feedback, no snarky comments and no likes. I think these past few months away helped clear the way for me to write that story and get back to what I really liked about this blog. I came close to pouring all of my ACL time into my golf game, but GQ helped pull me back to dig in here again.
So if you see something in this space, it’s because I had something I wanted to say or share. I’m not an expert in a lot of things, but I think I have a good compass for what is interesting and worth learning more about. At the very least, I know a good spot in Hawai’i to escape to. Now I also know exactly what kind of surf shack I want to move into.
I consider myself a dedicated ACL reader (for about eight years now). Instagram and twitter are great, but I always come back because of the writing. Shit… I’d settle for a regular “signals” update.
What other islands have you been to? I think they all have their spots. If you like Kauai, I’m sure you would like Maui. Exploring Lanai would also be a good few days.
Right on.
Good idea Michael. I don’t need inbox clutter, rather someone who has something interesting to say and sounds like a real person with personal views, rather than a promotional voice for a brand.
I second what Colby said, I love the written posts and hope to enjoy many more years of blog updates regardless of frequency
Excellent story.
Good on yer Michael !! There’s value in what your doing. Its better to be loved by a few that liked by the masses. I don’t know who said that, but I’m sure someone did. See that’s the whole point really
and something that lots of us are trying to figure out. how to be an individual with our on views and idea, but also being able to pay the bills. I think you might be on the right track sir !!
yup – i actually have checked in 50 times hoping to catch a story – with the pure intent of actually avoiding anything snarky past the last period of the article :) Go back to the roots homey!! Its why we read ;)
Awesome surf shack, enjoyed that video thoroughly.
It’s crazy how everything has switched up over the past few years MW. Best of luck.
Feeling as you did Michael, I bit the bullet and made the move ten years ago. E komo mai. I bought a little cottage on the Big Island. I made a little video shot entirely in my backyard that captures the tranquility of the place: