The Atlantic Monthly and Why I Will Not Soon Return To Honolulu

As with most things in Honolulu, everything is dated-including the country's best magazines. Yes, already two weeks into December I innocently attempted to purchase the latest copy of The Atlantic at a Barnes & Noble where much to my chagrin they only carried the November issue. However, since Hawaii had already managed to beat my spirits in the few short days since my arrival, I decided to buy the old magazine being as I was in acute need of entertainment.



It was in that issue of the Atlantic where I learned of their decision to revamp the design of the magazine. I was pleased to find that this redesign in no way impeded an already great magazine, but instead made it an even more enjoyable reading experience. A magazine created for a sensible reader interested in pertinent political, social and cultural issues; the updated Atlantic has not strayed from its original goal.

As for Honolulu, it is a miserable and decrepit wasteland of past successes and out-dated Utopian dreams. Honolulu, perhaps popular in the 1950s and 60s has over the years failed to maintain its past splendor and instead irreparably decayed. Honolulu is run-down, dirty and slummy. It was not the tropical respite I was hoping for upon going to Hawaii after completing my finals at college. However, the situation only became more pitiable when the city was hit with a terrible storm. Torrents of rain and gusts of wind clawed at the otherwise old, but pleasant resort where I was staying. Perhaps the best part of the weekend was when one of the shutters in the hotel lobby was blasted by extreme winds causing it to unhinge and knock over an elderly woman. While this was incredibly amusing to me, I did momentarily hold my laughter until being certain that the elderly woman was still alive after her blow. Although I had a less than pleasurable vacation, I can only assume that being knocked over by a two-story high shutter would make it worse.

I plan to write a stern letter to the city in hopes of refunding my travel expenses.