30th Birthday Adventure in Oahu: Squid Research, Waterfalls & Karaoke
Oahu is beloved for its pristine beaches, warm hospitality, and—in the case of Atlas Obscura traveler Sean Francis—an epic 30th birthday celebration. Below, Sean shares a moment from Science After Dark: Spotting Squids in the Tides of Oahu.
Exploring Oahu with squid biologist Sarah McAnulty and helping collect squid for her research was a phenomenal experience. I learned so much about the species she studies, saw amazing sights around the island, and met others who share my passion for marine science. During the trip, a fellow traveler nicknamed me Kent, because, like Superman, I’m more than meets the eye.
The last day of our trip happened to be my 30th birthday. By then, I’d gotten to know the other travelers well. We’d chatted away about our backgrounds, reasons we came on this trip, and, during bus rides, picked out songs and belted our favorite tunes.
On my birthday, I regaled the group with a rendition of my favorite Disney song, “You’re Welcome.” It’s only the best!
Our first stop of the day was the Tamashiro Market, a local shop owned by the same family since the 1940s. We picked our meals (I ordered the spicy tuna, jalapeños, and sriracha aioli), and our guides drove us to what I thought was our next scheduled stop: a hike at Manoa Falls. Instead, to my surprise, the guides had planned a birthday detour to Tantalus Lookout, an incredible scenic viewpoint where you can see Diamond Head and Waikiki. The day was bright and sunny, and we ate together in the grass.
We finally tore ourselves from the view and piled back in the van to drive to Manoa Falls. The trail, which only takes an hour to hike, was quite the challenge. By the time we reached the falls, the group was a sight for sore eyes: drenched in sweat, caked in mud, and out of breath. But it was worth it to see the falls, and I'd do the hike again in a heartbeat.
Afterward, we went to Waimānalo Beach Park to relax in the sand and cool off in the waves.
It was our last day together as a group, and we were all excited to share one last meal at Honolulu Beerworks. This local brewery provided a lovely atmosphere to cap off a whirlwind of fun and adventure—not to mention their tasty craft beer (try the Cocoweizen).
After our meal, many in our musical group agreed to a final round of karaoke. But before we left, Sarah, our guide, surprised me again by playing the ukulele. Rachel, the program leader, sang "Happy Birthday" while holding a haupia (coconut) pie, which had little squids and a birthday message for "Kent." It was so meaningful to me, and I can't imagine a better way to have started the next decade of my life!
