Ocean Dreamer

Setting up for class at the Four Seasons Oahu

A few weeks ago when I was combing through social media looking for local activities on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, I stumbled upon a pic of a surfer girl with a floral lei in her hair. I already knew how to surf (however badly) but I wanted to learn how to make one of those glorious crowns!

Luckily for me, Instafamous Pamakane, otherwise known as @ocean_dreamerr,  was tagged in the pic and I wasted no time in contacting her. Leading up to our trip to Hawaii, she was actually exploring Europe for the first time. I think Pamakane was in Greece when she responded that she would be back on Oahu when we arrived and happily invited me to join her upcoming class at the Four Seasons Oahu!

I was excited to be learning the art of lei po'o while in Hawaii but also to delve back into my high school hobby of floral art that I'd always loved. I'd like to think some floral arrangement talent lies in my genes (my aunt was the first to be enrolled in the Australian Floristry Hall of Fame). But the end result was probably more due to Pamakane's patience and constant interventions! It was so much fun and I didn't want to take it off at the end of the day. Who doesn't want to feel like a Hawaiian princess? So I placed it in the fridge that night and the next morning I hung it around the palm tree in front of us at the beach as a constant reminder.

Meeting Pamakane for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity also gave me the perfect excuse to travel from one side of Oahu to the other and spend a glorious day at the Four Seasons. Despite her hectic wedding and events schedule, Pamakane sets aside her Thursday mornings (small group class 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM) for Four Seasons guests and visitors. I spoke briefly to Michelle, the resort's guest activities manager, who emphasized the "importance of creating community" in their decision to open up events like this to day visitors. I felt very welcome and, after my private class (thank you, thank you, thank you Pamakane!), I enjoyed coffee overlooking the resort pool and oceanfront. It's a gorgeous place to explore and since it was nearly lunchtime, I wandered down to the beachfront to the taco truck I'd spotted while having coffee and enjoyed some fabulous mahi tacos. As you can see, I made firm friends with Brandy and Joey, who invited me into the truck to supervise their taco-making and take some fun photos. Give them my best if you're fortunate enough to have lunch made by them!

Taco Truck at the Four Seasons