Homeless In Hawaii

To most, Hawaii is a vacation paradise. The food is fresh, the weather is unbelievably perfect, and you're never too far from finding a beach to catch a tan. So, when my friends and I booked flights to Hawaii over Memorial Day weekend, we were determined to find discomfort in Hawaii. We decided to go homeless.

We flew to the island of Kauai with only a hammock and a change of clothes in our backpack. That's how we lived for the three days. We scavenged for fruit and water. We gutted through sleepless and rainy nights. We tested our grit and resilience in what should have been an island of bliss.

This was one of my best experiences. We were free as can be while exploring this tropical paradise, but it was the definition of Type II fun. The type that's not all smiles in the moment, but full of laughs when looking back. The type that makes you crave having a bed again and clean clothes to change into. The type of fun that makes the fondest of memories.

The Roadtrip:

The spots we hit, in the order we hit them.

Stop 1: Wailua Falls

Rumor has it there's a rope trail that gets you down to the bottom of the waterfall. You didn't hear that from me. When we found this view, it was a natural resting place for some lunch and a swim.

Wailua Falls

Stop 2: Anini Beach

Grab a permit to stay on their campgrounds. You will not regret this sunrise. I'd recommend bringing a tarp. I was not so foolish as to forget one, but the crew members who did forget - well, they had one cold, wet night.

Hammock camping on the shores.

Good morning, Hawaii!

If you get bored of the beach view, turn around for more cool views.

Stop 3: Shipwreck Beach

A beautiful surfer's beach to stop at for a pow-wow.

Shipwreck Beach is known for its cliff jumping spot.

Stop 4: Waimea Canyon

The "meat and potatoes" of this experience. The views driving through Waimea Canyon were unbeatable. As the driver for this stretch, we'd stop every 15 minutes to take in the view.

Canyons by the shore...

This island is just overpowered...

Like cmon, a Red Dirt Waterfall...

I'm just speechless

Stop 5: Awa'awapuhi Trail

If Waimea Canyon was the "entree", let's call Awa'awapuhi Trail "dessert." This was a brutal 6-mile hike, but well worth every f-bomb dropped along the way.

Overlooking incredible volcanic valleys.

And the valleys lead to the sea.

I tried playing it cool.

Stop 6: Salt Pond Beach

Grab another permit. Settle beside the fellow campers ( or homeless - whichever you prefer). Another beach sunrise in paradise.

The fellow "campers"

"Good morning, Hawaii!"

Greetings from a Hawaiian Monk Seal!

Stop 7: Spouting Horn

On the way back to the airport, catch these water eruptions along the shoreline.

The shore really puts on a show.

Lessons Learned:

1. Bring a tarp when hammocking. It's not fun to sleep in the wet and the cold.

2. I took for granted having a change of clothes and a bed to sleep on.

3. All you need is the island's fruit.

4. Enjoy the discomfort. Even in Hawaii, you can tap into see what you're truly made of. Being homeless, hungry, gross, and uncomfortable is a blessing.

Photography and story courtesy of Noah Rick.