YDD West Coast bureau chief and inveterate travel writer Rexpresto trekked to Hawaii last month, with his very pregnant wife, his very 18-month-old daughter, and his 70-year-old mom.

The “Aloha” vibe permeated the adventure before the plane even landed, but the journey was soon beset with the kinds of adventures only Rexpresto seems to encounter.

Good thing for you he was documenting it all. Click here to read his account at travel website BootsnAll. It features roosters, a driver named Bones and a helicopter ride you won’t soon forget.