One aspect of inter-island night flying is a certain sense of sensory deprivation. Things take on a dream-like quality, since instead of a wide field full of references, you have one or two bunches of lights. They disappear behind clouds, re-appear, mislead you into thinking that one thing is a different thing. There isn't any good visual attitude reference over the ocean at night. Instruments are a really good thing. And flashlights.

The ATC community is more laid back -- there was a lady on Honolulu Approach, another lady on Kalaeloa Tower, and a guy that sounded a little tired on Honolulu Center. Almost cozy, in a way, all of us talking more chatting a little more freely than we would during the morning rush.

We turned back from Lanai on account of the clouds that were popping up, lived to fight another day.