By Shannon Hurst Lane

updated 2:57 p.m. ET Jan. 16, 2006

Hawaii is one of those destinations on everyone list of must-see-before-I-die places. I recently found myself airbound to Oahu for the visit of a lifetime, totally unaware that I would be entering the land of the LOST.

Flying over the Pacific Ocean, I watched the first season of LOST on my laptop. I was immediately hooked on this phenomena, made just for couch potatoes and puzzle solvers alike. As I watched I was vaguely aware that the shows are taped on a Hawaiian island.

I couldn't wait to get to the Hilton Hawaiian Village, so I could hunt for the suite where Elvis stayed, partake in the hotel's trademark Mai Tai, and head to Waikiki Beach.

Hilton's Hawaiian Village is an enormous resort that offers just about everything imaginable, including the traditional lei greeting. I wanted to see just a bit more of Hawaii, without renting a car. So, I opted for a pre-arranged tour, one that offered a glider ride, a local lunch, a visit to the beach where LOST is filmed and a nature tour.

Wait - back up a second. A visit to the beach where LOST is filmed? Sign me up, who do I pay and what time do we leave? Go ahead, put me in the cheesy group-tourist category. It was a small crowd, so I didn't feel like I was selling myself out - too much.

The driver, Ernal, was a local and stopped by Leonard's Donut Shop to show me Malasadas, island donuts served plain or filled and topped with granulated sugar. Mmmmm. I grabbed a warm chocolate Malasada. It was crispy on the outside with warm dough and chocolate filling that dripped down my chin. I was in carbohydrate-sugar heaven.

After finishing the Malasadas we headed for the island tour. We drove past Diamondhead and drove beyond a few pineapple farms. Our first activity was a glider ride along the northern tip of Oahu. A small plane pulled us up into the air by a tether. We went higher and higher near the mountains and over the beaches. Finally the tether was released and we were gliding silently over the North Shore. I felt like a bird perusing the area. I asked the pilot, Mary, where the beach site for LOST was filmed and she pointed down. It was near the road from the airport we left just minutes before. Holy smoke, I was so close. After a bit, we touched down for the smoothest landing in my entire life. I thanked Mary for the safe flight, and then I hightailed it - with Ernal in tow - across the street to the beach to get a glimpse of the filming location.

Ernal explained that all the beaches there are public and anyone has access. We walked through the sand, keeping an eye out for broken beer bottles and other sharp objects. I guess public access has its pros and cons. I almost cut my foot once or twice, but I made it through the trek unscathed.

Standing by the shore with my feet slowly sinking as each wave lapped past and inhaling ocean air cleansed my thoughts. I had a brief imaginary moment and could almost see the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 gathering wood for a fire, or hanging clothes to dry. I searched the horizon for Hugo, my favorite on the show. I looked to my left and could see the same mountains I saw from a television set, now there before my eyes. It was surreal, almost like standing on the Yellow Brick Road, but this was really Mokuleia Beach.

Ernal motioned for me to leave. He confided that he just found out where the plane wreckage was being stored so it wouldn't wash away with the tide. We snuck behind the airport through some back roads. I could see it. It was like finding the Holy Grail. Other tourists followed behind, eyes glazed, reverently touching the fence that protected the wreckage. Two armed men in military uniforms, hidden behind the fence, suddenly appeared. One said, "You need to leave the premise. This is military property." Ummm, OK, did I just step into a LOST episode, now being filmed?

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