Cleared for Departure

Author: L.K.D.

  • Farewell to Paradise

    Farewell to Paradise

    Here we are again, saying goodbye and parting ways. What a Spring! I’m not sure how many miles we’ve flown together, but I’m now, by some esoteric airline math, a Platinum member.

  • Drink 100% Pure Kona Coffee

    Drink 100% Pure Kona Coffee

    We’ve spend the last few days touring the Kona region, which includes several towns like Capitan Cook, Holualoa, and Kailua.

  • Volcano National Park

    Why a giant hot spot sits under Hawaii in the middle of the Pacific plate is a mystery.

  • Hilotown

    Hilotown

    Welcome to Hilo on the Big Island, the island known as Hawai’i. It is the largest and newest island in the chain, about the size of Connecticut.

  • Better To Be Lucky Than Good

    Better To Be Lucky Than Good

    My exit from Maui was not glorious. I’m a lucky SOB because we skirted disaster.

  • The Road to Haleakala

    The Road to Haleakala

    So here in Hawaii they have this thing called the sun. It’s quite intense. For a fee you can watch it rise.

  • Welcome to Hawaii

    I wanted to buy some duty free gifts at JFK for my Arizona friends to take with me. The attendant asked for my ticket, which I presented, and she said, “Sir, you’re not traveling internationally.” I was shocked! It turns out Hawaii is – technically – in the United States.

  • The Three Trials of Departure

    Our journey begins with three trials.  A five minute read on what it takes to travel to the island nation of Hawaii.  Most of which is, likely, true.  

  • Welcome to Series 9: Hawaii

    Welcome to Series 9: Hawaii

    Welcome to Series 9: Hawaii. That’s right, after taking a once-in-a-lifetime trip to South Africa our rebound is a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii!

  • Farewell For Now

    Farewell For Now

    We are sitting at the gate, with thirty people on board this A330-300, while the French authorities randomly inspect our plane. Our Captain can barely contain his annoyance.