I’ve traveled to Hawaii many times. The Big Island is still my favorite—but Kauai runs a very close second. It’s lush, impossibly green, with water everywhere. A place where it’s easy—and honestly encouraged—to get a little lost.

I spent five days on Kauai, and in classic island fashion, a hurricane rolled in. That was something to witness. The power of it, the shifting skies, the raw energy of the place—unforgettable. Swimming was definitely off the table, but the experience made the island feel even more alive.

Kauai doesn’t just show you beauty. It reminds you who’s really in charge.