PNW Honda Element Meetup
A Wonderfully Niche Community
I never, ever imagined that I would be the kind of person that went to a car meetup.
That changed when I purchased Malina the Element, a 2007 Honda Element EX, in spring of 2024. I became part of a nerdy, niche community that is obsessed with an old, quirky looking box of a vehicle. Each year, more than 200 Elements show up for the Pacific Northwest Element Meetup in Kent, Washington.
But what makes the meetup so special isn’t the Elements themselves - it’s getting to spend time with people who are just as obsessed as you are.
Where Obsession Becomes Conversation
Throughout the weekend, our obsession showed in every conversation. We talked about different solar panel setups. We compared MPGs and how to stretch every litre of fuel. We traded stories about camping spots and car-based adventures. We shared ideas for must-have mods and accessories. This is a group of people that shares my affinity for a specific car and just gets it.
More Than Just a Meetup
We spent time driving on the beach in Ocean Shores, with a line of 50 Elements creating a uniquely photogenic scene against the Pacific Northwest backdrop. We camped at an alpaca farm in Auburn, which is perfectly quirky for this kind of weekend.
I met people who traveled from as far as Ontario, Pennsylvania, and even Florida, some Element owners driving thousands of miles just to be part of this community weekend. There were dedicated enthusiasts who treat their Elements like passion projects, weekend warriors who love camping, and even a few others who live full-time in their vehicle like me. The diversity of experiences and backgrounds always surprises me, yet we all share this common thread.
The main meetup event in Kent drew over 230 Elements this year. Volunteering for the event this year gave me a behind-the-scenes appreciation for how much work goes into bringing a community like this together. Hosted by Dat Tran of Overland Antidote, the event is a year-long project behind the scenes. Dat has been essential in creating a community where Element enthusiasts can connect, share knowledge, and nerd out over these special vehicles.
Find Your Community
The Pacific Northwest Honda Element meetup shows that there's a community out there for almost everything, and finding yours is definitely worth the effort. There’s a crowd out there who understands your excitement and will join in along with you.
I guess I am the kind of person who goes to car meetups since I’m already excited to see everyone at next year’s PNW meetup - and maybe even one or two more across the country. My solar panels are charging, I’m thinking about my MPGs, and dreaming of the next mod to add to Malina the Element.
