Up with the dawn of 2012

This was an all-new New Years Day for your 3DHawaii online editor. Instead of greeting the new year at midnight like the rest of the world (and Hawaii does it with tons of fireworks, though fewer this year than in years past due to a new ordinance), I was tucked in bed, woken briefly by the noise, then quickly back asleep.

The alarm was set for 4:45 a.m., but I roused in anticipation five minutes early. I splashed water in my face, jumped into the hiking clothes I laid out the night before, and set off to meet friends for a hike up the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail. (Photos: 3D Travel, Inc.)

It was part of an initiative by the America's State Parks organization to arrange for 50 "First Day" hikes, one in each of the 50 U.S. states on New Years Day. Staff with Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources opened the gate to the trail at 5:30 a.m., giving people ample time to hit the summit (about three-quarters of a mile) to watch the sun rise at 7:09 a.m. We were groggy and a little bleary-eyed, but the air was cool and the night sky blanketed with stars, showing just the faintest trace of twilight. Armed with smart-phone flashlights, we ascended the paved road in no time and scoped out a perch on the eastern side of the trail. Clouds started to gather, but we lucked out with the weather: The clouds provided a pancake layer that framed Molokai and Maui in the distance. When the sun rose over Haleakala, there were gasps, aahs and squeals from the hundreds in attendance. A traditional Hawaiian chant, "E Ala E," was offered to greet the dawn (see video).

After enjoying the morning light splashing across Oahu's windward side, and having earned our breakfast, we feasted on Eggs Benedict and Cinnamon French Toast at Big City Diner in Kaimuki. The rest of New Years was napping and football, for which the holiday was intended.

Happy New Year! Hope to see you in Hawaii in 2012 and beyond.




The golden light of dawn.


Windward Oahu sees the first rays of 2012.