Hawaii

Growing up, I guess until the age of 45, I never thought the tropics were something I would love. Man, it took me a long time to find something important that was missing. What was that missing element in my life, one might ask? Often, I think it is an intangible thing, but I’ll give it a shot.

First, it must be the people. The easy way they approach life. It simply resonates with me. They tell you when you start coming to the island that people move at island time. Island time is simply at a pace that is steady but may take a while longer than we are used on the mainland. They have a friendliness that amazes me when you think of how the Anglos took everything that was precious to them. But, the native people of Hawaii have a way, over many years of how to thrive off the wealth of those that want a simply few days taste of what is normal life to Hawaiians.

Second, the rich cultural pride of the people of Hawaii. The embracing of all the Polynesian cultures. Not only do they embrace the different island histories, but they also teach the history of all islands when they speak of Polynesian culture. Hawaii has become a melting pot for Polynesians. We, as mainland people, have a hunger for history and for experiences that us feel good about the intrusion we had on this state. We obliterated a lifetime, dating back before the dawning of America, when we force the royals out of their reigns, yet in our twisted sense, we turned the palace into a museum so that we could experience life for the royals. We eat this stuff up!

Third, with traditions, we always come to food. It isn’t just the foods prepared, but how these common foods to us all are prepared. Many of us smoke pork butts and serve up pulled pork, but we don’t make Kalua pork. Kalua, roughly translated as cooked in the ground, is unlike any pulled pork I have eaten. Cooked over Koa wood and lava stones, hot stones placed inside the whole pig, wrapped in ti or banana leaves, then covered with earth and cooked for 12 to 14 hours. Tender beyond belief and the flavor to die for. Served with taro bread, poi on the side, and other traditional tubers and roots. Don’t forget the desserts of fruits and macadamia nuts. Add the freshest fish one could want. Literally minutes from line to a dish on your table. Lei’s honoring friendship and family partnerships, grass skirts, the fast-paced music with a strong beat, and of course the hula dance telling a story.

Lastly, the visual beauty. A sunset over the vast Pacific Ocean is breathtaking. Given the rare opportunity, you might even witness the green flash as the sun is setting. I have only witnessed one, and almost missed it. The flowers are abundant, and the aroma is stimulating to the senses. The canyons, deep and green, rival any canyon in the world. So many waterfalls you lose track of. Active volcanos continue to expand the size of the islands, chiefly the “Big Island”, the island of Hawaii. They say there is a new island forming from the molten magma off the southern tip of Hawaii. This state has 10 of the world’s 14 climate zones. Literally can be ski boarding in the morning and surfing in the afternoon. And the sea life, what would a visit to Hawaii be without seeing a Honu? Dole plantation, Ted’s Bakery, Kona beer, and Roy’s, and Matsumoto Shave Ice have all become institutional to Hawaiian culture. Beauty abounds in all forms and is all available, no, encouraged to experience firsthand.

Hawaii has become an annual sojourn for Jen and me. If I can walk to get on an airplane, I will go to Hawaii each and every year. I dream of stepping off the plane and smelling the plumeria fragrance in the air, overpowering the smell of jet fuel one normally smells at an airport. I sit and absorb Hawaii more than any other place we travel. It seems all other vacations have a purpose with set times, and we are more tired after travelling than when we left on vacation. Not Hawaii! Hawaii is usually without direction, we lose track of time, and get caught up just staring at the ocean waiting for the sunset in six hours. Time doesn’t exist in Hawaii, hence Hawaii time. Soon, we will say so long for another year and dream of everything we saw on the red-eye flight to the mainland and back to our chaotic lives.