From Ohio to Oahu -The Adventure is just getting started for Brian Lauro
Episode 2 of The Social Flyer takes us to Oahu, Hawaii where we meet Brian Lauro, an ex-cop from Midwestern Ohio and now an elite private hiking tour guide of the island who is running for election to the Hawaii State Senate to represent District 25.
Tell us about yourself in a few sentences, what is your story?
My name is Brian Lauro. I’m 54 years old. I was born and raised in Akron, Ohio where I raised 2 boys and married an amazing woman. After retiring as a police officer and working for nearly 32 years in public safety, my wife and I decided to move to Oahu where I started my own business, My Hiking Ohana. It is a locally owned private guided hiking tour business. After becoming known for serving and sacrificing my life for people on the island, I was asked to run for political office, which I am now in the middle of campaigning for State Senate.
A retired cop in paradise, why did you move to Hawaii?
20 years ago, I visited Hawaii and felt something very spiritual. I always said if I ran away, I would come back. Needless to say, being an adult with kids, you don’t get to just run away. In May 2018, I brought my wife to Hawaii for a week-long vacation. After an amazing week, my wife looked at me and said, “I don’t want to leave.” I’m sure everyone says that at least once while here, but that’s not what she meant. She said, “This is it; this is where we need to live.” Seven months later we were living in Hawaii.
“ I visited Hawaii and felt something very spiritual.”
How did you meet your wife Heather?
I met Heather at church. I was on the safety team at church and she sang in the worship team. We both had found ourselves single again and then God brought her into my life. I needed a clear sign that this was God’s plan. So, about ten days later, Heather literally ran into me and almost knocked me down at church. Six weeks later we were engaged and six weeks after that we were married. She has been the most amazing gift of my life.
What did your friends and family think when you told them that you and Heather were moving to Hawaii?
They all thought we were crazy to move halfway across the world to the most remote location on the planet. We left our adult kids and parents behind. For most, it is hard to understand. But once we were here, for the first time in my life, I felt like we were home.
Where is your favorite spot in Oahu?
China Walls, a popular cliff diving spot. Although, it is one of the most dangerous places in the state of Hawaii. In the last couple years due to social media, it has become one of the top places to visit. It also has one of the prettiest sunsets on the island.
The locals call you uncle Brian, how have you got involved in the local community and why?
It all started at China Walls. I swim, dive, and hike down there every day. Between picking up garbage that others leave behind or coaching tourists on how to navigate the island safely and respectfully, the locals had been watching me share “aloha” with everyone. They see me helping people out of the water and literally saving lives by the hundreds because it is dangerous down there. Out of respect and appreciation, the locals and Hawaiians started calling me “Uncle Brian.” As a matter of fact, many call me “the Guardian of China Walls,” “the guardian angel,” and “the protector of this place,” or “the guy with the blue fins that saves everyone.”
“China Walls is one of the most dangerous places in the state of Hawaii”
What does your average day look like on the island?
I get up, eat a piece of cinnamon toast, and drink some coffee (cream & sugar). I then head out on the island on my 2018 Harley Davidson Fat Bob in my slippas, board shorts, and tank top. When I’m not guiding a tour, I normally head out to check on the island. I am very involved in helping to protect our endangered Hawaiian monk seals. an average day always ends with me visiting China Walls.
Tell us about your favorite hikes on the island?
I love them all. But if I had to pick a favorite, I would pick the Ka’au Crater. It’s 7.8 miles but has it all. Waterfalls, jungle, rope sections involving climbing up 3 waterfalls for nearly an hour and a half, and then a ridge crossing at the top of the Ko’olau mountain range. It is epic!
You are running for senator in Oahu, tell us more?
There is no question of my love for Hawaii. Unfortunately, the current leadership that governs our state does not share the same love & respect of the people and the land. Their love of wealth and power has caused corruption. Our current government has facilitated the destruction of family values and failed to provide affordable housing or address the unreasonably high cost of living. The sovereignty of Hawaii is non-existent. Crime and political corruption are out of control.
Because of my well-known love for Hawaii and my integrity, I was approached and asked if I would run for State Senate. I have spent my life avoiding politics. It changed for me when someone at church said, “you sacrifice your life every day for the people of this island, what if you could save more?”.
Before my wife and I went to bed that night, we had agreed that maybe this is why God brought us here. So, now I am campaigning for Hawaii State Senate District 25. (brianlaurosenate.com)
“A bad day in Hawaii is better than a good day in Ohio!”
What do you hope to achieve should you be elected?
I have been involved in public service for a long time. I love serving and protecting people. If elected, I will help create voter integrity and protect family values. We need to create affordable housing and improve the cost of living. Public safety needs to be a top priority, along with the environment. With nearly 3 decades of government experience, I know what it takes to find solutions, navigate complicated governmental agencies, and more importantly, get things done.
What is your favorite meal in Oahu?
Poke bowls, Lanikai Juice and acai bowls. Oh wait, Spanish Rolls are amazing too! But the prime rib at Haleiwa Joe's Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe is the BEST!
Is living in Hawaii as dreamy as it sounds?
It is the best. A bad day in Hawaii is better than a good day in Ohio! Even when it rains, just make it a waterfall hike day!
Tell us about your favourite memory in Hawaii?
Every day has a favourite memory. Whether its standing on the top of a mountain, spending time the monk seals, seeing our honu (green sea turtles), watching our humpback whales up close in the winter, standing underneath a waterfall, cliff jumping, seeing the amazing world under the ocean while diving or just being here with the most amazing wife ever. Every day has a favourite memory. We are truly blessed.
You have a special relationship with the monk seals on the Island, what is it like hanging out with them?
When covid hit and everyone was laid off, I found out that a baby monk seal named Nohea (which means lovely in Hawaiian) was born near where we live. Her mom is a seal named Kaiwi. She is my favorite mom seal on the island. For months, I got to go see this mom and baby as she prepared the little one to be independent. I spent hundreds of hours over the next few months with these two. During this time, I learned more than I thought I ever could about the seals. I have had them swim up to me in the ocean, and have seen them climb out of the water and come up to me. Nohea even tried to lay in a tide pool with me one day. They say they do recognise certain people. If you ever get to see one up close, they are so cute and fat and squishy. Everything about them is adorable. So, we just got to the point that when I leave the house, I would tell Heather that I’m going to go look for “the babies.” She knows that means our monk seals.
