The following articles include recommendations from Local Arrangements Committee members about activities and sites you shouldn’t miss while in Hawai’i.

Daniel Ulrich, M.D.
Local Arrangements Committee Co-Chair

On behalf of our Hawai’i Council and Local Arrangements Committee, I’d like to personally welcome you to Honolulu and AACAP’s 56th Annual Meeting. While my wife and I hail from New York and California respectively, our three children, Myles age 8, Davis age 6, and Marley age 2, are all “locals”. We’ve been blessed to call Hawai’i home and would like to share some of our family favorites with you.

Although our world class beaches and outdoor activities certainly deserve their accolades (and by all means your time), here are some places we love to visit on that occasional rainy day or when, heaven forbid, we don’t feel like going to the beach. At the Diamond Head end of Waikiki is beautiful and historic Kapiolani Park. The park always has a plethora of goings on to suit any taste or mood. For those with a desire to learn more about the park, start at Kapiolani Park Kiosk. Located on the corner of Kalakaua and Kapahulu avenues, you can find information on the park’s various sites of interest and myriad of activities (including a self guided walking tour). The Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium, located on the park’s perimeter, are two of our favorites. Neither rivals the sheer size and variety of exhibits seen in mainland institutions, but the relative manageable size and focus on indigenous cultures of Hawai’i and the Pacific affords a leisurely and authentically local family experience. The Keiki (Children’s) Zoo and play park located within the zoo is a great option for members with younger children.

For those wanting to venture out a bit from Waikiki, the Bishop Museum, located in the Kalihi-Palama district (about 20 minutes drive from Waikiki), is the largest museum in the state and the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific. The museum is renowned for its cultural collections, research projects, consulting services, and public educational programs serving and representing the interests of Native Hawaiians and other cultures of the Pacific. The museum is home to numerous permanent and rotating exhibitions and the Jhamandas Watumull Planetarium. Go to www.bishopmuseum.org for details and directions. The Honolulu Academy of Arts, in the Makiki district just below the Punchbowl National Cemetery, is another family favorite. For those coming in to town a bit early, check out the Free Sunday program, sponsored by Bank of Hawai’i, which takes place on the third Sunday of the month (www.honoluluacademy.org). Finally, the Hawai’i Children’s Discovery Center, (www.discoverycenterhawai’i.org) located adjacent to the new University of Hawai’i John A. Burns School of Medicine campus, is a can’t miss. After you’ve visited all the exhibits, find a recycled piece of cardboard and join the kids sliding down the grassy hills of Kakaako Waterfront Park with breathtaking views of Waikiki, Diamond Head, and the Downtown Honolulu skyline.

There really is something for everyone here in Honolulu and while the Annual Meeting will certainly have its customary array of world class scientific presentations and exhibits, please take time to enjoy the exceptional experiences our lovely island home has to offer.

With Warm Aloha,
Dan Ulrich M.D.
Local Arrangements Co-Chair
President, Hawai’i Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists

Anthony P. S. Guerrero, M.D.
Local Arrangements Committee Co-Chair

It’s truly a privilege to be able to live and practice in Hawai'i. Even if I hadn’t spent all but 2 years of my life living in Hawai’i, I can honestly say (with very little bias) that I’d choose this place over anywhere else in the world. Here are the top 10 reasons why I love Hawai’i (in no particular order, since all of them are equally compelling):

• The weather in Hawai'i is perfect: never too hot or too cold.
• Natural beauty is everywhere, even in the backdrop of urban Honolulu.
• The ethnic and cultural diversity is unparalelled anywhere else in the country (and perhaps the world); as a result, the innovation and richness you’ll experience here (just sample the local cuisine, view local entertainment, or even browse through scholarly work produced at the local University) is truly phenomenal. It’s not an accident that our current U.S. president was born and raised Hawai’i.
• The guiding force of indigenous Hawaiian values - for example, in my own Department of Psychiatry, our core values are: aloha, which encompasses selflessness, sensitivity, and respect; lôkahi, which encompasses harmony and balance in relationships; ‘ohana, a synergistically functioning family or team bonded by a continuous thread of history, culture, and/or aims; and maika’i loa, or excellence.
• Honolulu’s supposedly high cost of living (though actually comparable to other large cities in the U.S.) is more than counterbalanced (in my mind) by being able to live in a place consistently rated as the cleanest city in the U.S. and the U.S. city with the highest quality of living. These are things that money simply cannot buy.
• Even in healthcare, academic, and business settings, the people are among the friendliest and most positive you will ever meet.
• We have a child and adolescent mental health system that has really risen to meet the healthcare challenges of a diverse island state; this system was the 2004 winner of the AACAP Norbert and Charlotte Rieger Service Program Award for Excellence.
• Two psychiatric leaders in Hawai’i who have made pioneering contributions to minority child and adolescent mental health (and whom I have had the privilege of working with closely in my 10 years as a faculty member): Dr. Jack McDermott, our emetirus chair and the first non-minority recipient of the AACAP Jeanne Spurlock Award on Diversity and Culture in 2008; and Dr. Naleen Andrade, our current chair and the 2008 recipient of the AACAP Robert Cancro Academic Leaderhip Award.
• Countless other wonderful colleagues and people, all based in Hawai’i.
• As a result of all of the above (and also based on personal experience), this is a perfect place to grow up and experience childhood and to raise a family.

Derick Chae, M.D.

Simple things - the weather and the friendly people. Original Giovanni Shrimp truck in Kahuku (ask for shrimp scampi with extra hot sauce on the side) and Matsumoto shave ice afterwards - worth the beautiful hour drive. Walk around Waikiki, Restaurant Row, or China Town on halloween night - guaranteed to be an interesting night.

Two other things I love about Hawai’i - year round softball leagues and $6 sushi lunch.

Jenny Kelley, M.D.

When I was 6 years old my father got a position as a visiting professor at the University of Hawai’i. Now many, many years later, we are still here. Hawai’i isn’t just a great place to visit while on vacation, it’s a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

I love many things about this beautiful land. I love how people of different cultures live here together and enrich each other’s lives. I love how we get to enjoy the resulting amazing array of foods. We have outstanding Thai (Keo’s Restaurant), Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Hawaiian Fusion (Roy’s Restaurant at Waikiki Beachwalk), and, of course, Hawaiian food. Don’t miss trying Shave Ice at Matsumoto’s in Haleiwa on the North Shore (60 min drive) or close by at Waiola Shave Ice on Kapahulu Avenue (5 min drive.) Try the shave ice with ice cream in the bottom of the cone! Be sure to also try a malasada (a Portuguese donut) from Leonard’s Bakery on Kapahulu Avenue—you won’t be able to eat just one!

October is my favorite time of year. The pink evening light is just the best for photo taking (take your annual family photo) or enjoying Waikiki beach. I would also recommend taking early morning walks through Waikiki to Kapiolani Park. The park is quiet and cool in the morning and vibrant and interesting when it fills with locals in the afternoon. While in the park, be sure to visit the Waikiki Aquarium. It is truly a gem and is not to be missed.

Enjoy our people, food, and island beauty and you are sure to have a wonderful time. E komo mai (welcome)!

Megan Marumoto, M.D.

Hiking in Hawai’i offers so much diversity... from lush tropical strolls to waterfalls, like Maunawili Falls, to challenging pinnacle climbs, such as Mount Olomana, on Oahu. The dynamic trek along Kauai's Na Pili Coast offers breathtaking views of clear teal waters and crashing waves. It seems like you are on the moon when traversing Maui's Haleakala Crater, 10,000 feet above sea level. Spectacular vistas of dramatic cliffs dropping down onto a black sand beach stun you during the descent into Pololu Valley on the Big Island. Throughout the day, wonderful Pacific trade winds keep you from getting overheated. My favorite way to cool down after an awe-inspiring hike is to indulge in “shave ice” - the Hawaiian version of a snow cone. Sweet island flavors of mango, passion fruit, coconut, and guava mingle in your mouth with the silky smooth shaved ice. Under warm sunny blue skies, the cool and tantalizing sensation slides down your throat and eases you into contentment.

Alfred M. Arensdorf, M.D.

The diversity and charm of the peoples of Hawai’i matches the incredible natural beauty and weather of the islands. The Neighbor Islands can take you back a century to a more rural era with pineapple and sugar cane plantations, guava, papaya, and other tropical delights. Hana, Maui, is a must see! Visit at leisure some future trip during the Taro Festival. Or come to Maui for a County Fair. The climates vary from clean beaches to high desert to tropical forest to mountain tops with snow in the winters. Golf and surfing reign as do other outdoor activities. The air is incredibly clear allowing for Hawai’i to become a center of excellence for astronomy. Our family is grown, but three of our children have chosen to return to live in this island paradise and to raise three of our grandchildren on our home island of Maui.

Wayne B. Batzer, M.D.

Honolulu offers an amazing wealth of outdoor activity both within the city and a short distance away. Beaches beckon for swimming, paddling, surfing, and diving. Nearby Kapiolani Park offers jogging, picnicking, and visits to the Zoo or Aquarium. Hiking trails abound in the nearby mountains; most have few visitors, even on weekends. A drive up the windward coast to the North Shore reveals beautiful beaches, open fields, and pleasant countryside. The neighbor islands are only a short flight away. Each has unique features and character. Favorites are the rugged Na Pali Coast of Kauai, scuba diving and kayaking at Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island, and Maui's Haleakala Crater for breathtaking views and hiking.

Ian N. Chun, M.D.

Ho’okipa: The Hawaiian value of hospitality. It is defined as the true art of unselfishly extending to others the best that we have to give. In sharing our Ho’okipa with others, we gain our own joy and invest in our own well-being.

Aloha: The value of unconditional love and acceptance. The Aloha Spirit is the coordination of the True Self's mind, heart and soul, manifested by thinking good thoughts, emoting good feelings, and sharing goodness with others.

Wai ola: Noted as the “living waters.” Water is known to be a gift from heaven…“Running from the mountains to the sea…It flows gently winding through the valley…Bringing life to all of Hawai’i.” Hawai’i is known for its beautiful beaches, wonderful waterfalls, awesome watersheds…Access to these safe and dependable water supplies are for all to enjoy now and in the future.

‘Aha ‘Aina: A feast or gathering. Modern cuisine of Hawai’i is a fusion of many cuisines brought by multiethnic immigrants to the Hawaiian Islands. During your trip to our islands enjoy the bountiful and different food experiences around you.

‘Ike Loa: The value of learning - New knowledge is the food of the mind, body, and soul. Hawai’i offers many opportunities to explore and discover - from sightseeing and cultural activities, to meeting new people. Take advantage in seeking out these unique opportunities.

‘Ike Pono: This is the integration of the intellect with doing the right thing. One shows this through their modeling of integrity, honor, respect, and service to others every day. I hope you see ‘ike pono through how our buildings are maintained; showed in the professional interactions with those who have able to service you; shown through our effort to make sure you know how very important you are to use; and it really shows on the smiling faces of all who you have met.

That is why I love Hawai’i so much...
Ho’okipa
Aloha
Wai Ola
Aha ‘Aina
Ike Loa
Ike Pono

And I hope you will enjoy our islands too…Aloha

Michael Rimm, M.D.

Hawai’i offers one of the most beautiful, dynamic environments in one of the most culturally diverse areas in the world. Right in the middle of the Pacific Ocean! Honolulu offers so much for those wishing to enjoy a relaxing get away along beautiful coastline-with beautiful sunsets, as well a very active city with international diversity.

Just a few minutes from the conference, you can visit China Town, the International Market, downtown Honolulu, the University of Hawai’i, Pearl Harbor and many other areas nearby. Or, you can just relax along the beautiful beaches in Waikiki. Great restaurants and night life are all around.

I personally prefer to “get away” to the many beaches and mountains where so many forces of nature are at play. If you check the weather forecast, you may find that large beautiful waves are breaking along the North Shore where you can see some of the best surfers in the world. You may also try to learn yourself along “Queen’s Beach” near the eastern section of Waikiki. Here, near the statue of the famous Olympian and world famous surfer, Duke Kahanamoku, you can find some of the easiest, longest, and best waves to learn this ancient pastime. Rental boards are abundant and lessons can be arranged.

My family and I actually live on Maui, one of the outer islands where we often get away as a family to one of the many beaches. When we get the time, we love to drive along the “Road to Hana” which is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Hamoa Beach, considered to be James Michener’s favorite beach in the Pacific, is just about as perfect a tropical beach you can find. A drive to the top of Haleakala, a dormant volcano ten thousand feet from ocean to peak, gives views from way above the clouds. Well worth an early morning drive to see the sunrise.

While a visit to any of the outer islands is certainly worthwhile, the Volcano National Park on the Big Island of Hawai’i offers the chance of witnessing an active lava flow going directly into the ocean. Check for conditions if you go. The best time to go is at night.