Waikiki Christmas

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"A sailor in a boat is a man in jail with a chance of being drowned."

"We all know what light is; but it's not easy to tell what it is." Both quotes- Samuel Johnson

"Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night."
- Edgar Allan Poe

“Does This T-Shirt Make Me Look Malihini?”

Leaving home today I wondered: “Is my ‘local-ness’ evident in this New York City t-shirt?” maybe I should just change into my ratty ‘University of Hawaii’ number from undergrad times? Not that there’s anything wrong with being a visitor, y’all are the WHOLE point of the daily festival that IS Waikiki! I think that my “Honolulu Chinatown Lion Dancing” shirt became my absolute favorite one during last Chinese New Year season while I was watching some local kids performing my second favorite dance (after Hula). “Is one of the kids yours?” another woman asked me. I’ve also been asked - by visitors - if I’m Hawaiian. What a wonderful compliment! My love of this place is as clear to them as. . . a slogan on a t-shirt. “I’m a malihini" (newcomer) I tell local folks who ask how long I've been in the islands, "only been here 21 years.” And when those that know me say: “Naw. You local already!” well, that’s one of the greatest compliments I could ever receive: to be accepted as family, ohana. That speaks for itself anywhere in the world, but especially in Polynesia where it’s the cornerstone of everything- and not just at holiday time. . . A handful of years ago I facilitated after-school peer meetings for special kids at two local High Schools. No, not special like that, these were attractive, smart kids who had issues in school because of circumstances beyond their control – kids who just needed a place to open up, to share, to feel safe, and to grow. I mostly just showed up (with food, local style!) listened, cared, showed up, and listened. At age 14 they were problem kids barely hanging on in school. By graduation (and yes, they beat the odds, stayed in school and graduated – most of them) they were tall young adults with some confidence. Wow! Knowing them has been one of the great things in my life. The other day at the plate-lunch place I didn’t recognize my friend Ho`o from one of the groups (pronounced: 'Ho-Oh') at first. So grown up! And so happy to see me! That hug and clear smiling face will warm me into the new year for sure. Just think for a moment of the Ho`os in YOUR life. People you think of, but rarely, who’ve not forgotten something that YOU shared with them. Those folks are among the truly important investments in anyone's life. For what is quality of life really? It’s other people, yes, just like hell can be. What are you investing in? If you want to learn something about 21st century modern culture, why just walk around in public smiling! Notice how folks look at you. Even as most of us are starved for smiles and sincerity, we’ve learned to suspect that smiling stranger. They usually do have something to sell! But if quality-of-life consists mostly of how we view, think about, and interact with others, then perhaps the Hawaiians of old had it just right: Aloha is not a soft concept, but rather a very smart investment! A while back, there was a letter-to-the-editor of the Honolulu Advertiser that I snipped out of the paper titled: “Sharing of Aloha Makes Visits Nicer.”
“It’s time to leave again. Thank you, Hawaii. Thank you for your aloha. In this world where people pass each other without a glance, you acknowledged others. Whether we were walking, riding the TheBus or enjoying the music in a lounge, you smiled, spoke, offered directions, talked story or shared a song. Mahalo. Your aloha will help make this world a better place. (signed) Lanny and Phyllis Younger, New Lenox, IL” Nuff said. . . . . We often get to see strange and wonderful sights off shore of O`ahu: the USS Missouri completing her final voyage to Pearl Harbor, or the voyaging canoe Hokule`a setting off to retrace the oceanic travels of those who came here first. The black and red Chinese Junk in the picture above turned up here this week, rather cool, I think . . And our local guy, Barack Obama is relaxing on the island for his usual Christmas visit home. It was just a few years ago that he could walk unnoticed and unmolested around Waikiki just as you and I can enjoy. Today he joined with family members to spread the ashes of the grandmother who helped to raise him. She died just a day before the election, but her boy came home to pay his respects. Her ashes join those of Barack's mother off the shores of our Oahu. . . Aloha and local ways are powerful bonds, and much more than just slogans on a t-shirt. I know that Ho`o will agree next time we meet up. . . Just walking here in Waikiki. . .

A L O H A ! MELE KALIKIMAKA TO ALL! Cloudia