As mentioned elsewhere, I recently spent some time on the Hawai’ian island of O’ahu, ostensibly for Thanksgiving. I had not met most of this side of my wife’s family. Turns out, several of them possess that rare combination of personality traits we hold most dear: foody and car nerd. Mass consumption ensued.

But what does one do on vacation on a Saturday morning a couple of days after the meat sweats have (mostly) subsided? You take in the local Cars & Coffee, of course.

Cars & Coffee Hawai’i is presented by the Ohana Motorsports Foundation. Above and beyond just a monthly C&C, this group puts on different automotive-related events and shows to provide education and generate donations and awareness for various causes, including terminal illnesses, domestic violence, addiction, poverty, and the less fortunate. All proceeds go directly to the local charities or to designated third-party organizations that support those causes. Ohana is a state- and federal-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Regardless of the philanthropic work this fine group performs, the event felt quite familiar. It may have been smaller due to the local population or the fact it was a holiday weekend. However, those folks showing a vehicle or just spectating were exceptionally friendly and certainly passionate, willing to talk at length about whatever they were standing in front of. The organizers could not have been more welcoming. The guy selling Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars? You’ll happily let him chat your ear off.

Here then is a sample of O’ahu car culture, concentrated in the Ko’olau Center parking lot on the east side of the island, on November 25, 2023.

We are required to begin with a red Ferrari 308GTS. Sadly, the owner did not sport a mustache. But that license plate? [chef’s kiss]

Japanese brands are obviously huge in Hawai’i, including those that were originally sold in the U.S. market as well as those subsequently imported from other lands. The influences span not only the globe but also various eras.

This Miata was an absolute mess, but a peek under the hood tells you where the money and effort went. I’m guessing this thing is a complete monster on the backroads.

There was nothing subtle about this little rotary powered Mazda truck.

Nearby, the Hyundai Elantra N group argued which was better: the 6-speed manual (more engaging) or the dual-clutch manu-matic (faster). Your author sides fiercely with the former.

Not surprisingly, there was a strong contingent of American brands as well.  When the organizers asked the Mustang and Mopar crew everyone to be respectful (read: sane) when leaving the event, I sense maybe they were talking to these guys.

Okay, probably not this four-eye Mustang GT. His car was too nice.

And definitely not this person.

For the wagon geeks [Guilty as charged. ~ Ed.], there was this quite rare 2015 Volvo V60 Polestar. Stock? Yeah… no.

The following weren’t at the show, but were spotted around town when it was convenient to snap a picture.

Speaking of wagon geekiness, here’s an XV20 (1996–2002) Toyota Camry wagon. Swoon, even with the steering wheel on the wrong side.

In the townhome complex where we stayed was this fourth-generation Lexus GS350 F Sport. To the regular GS350, the F Sport added rear-wheel steering, bigger brakes, a new front bumper and rear spoiler, F Sport steering wheel and seats, and adjustable dampers.

Is it as fun as a BMW 5 Series with a stick? Probably not. But it looked the business anyway, and it will probably never break.

Finally, our lead image. This is Kevin. He dropped off and picked up the keys to the place we stayed. When we arrived and met Kevin, he rolled up on a longboard. When he swung by to retrieve the keys on our last day, he pulled up in this Lotus Espirit S4. Kevin is living the life. We should all try to be like Kevin.

Aloha, my dude. And mahalo.