I was chatting with Chris Abraham online today and we went on a nostalgic journey of Da Rock. While I never grew up in Hawaii, I have always felt the affinity there. I came back to Norway in 2006 after being several years in the USA and most of it was living in Hawaii.
I miss the beaches. I lived in Oahu, the Gathering Place as they call it that has at least 125 beaches. I lived next to Ala Moana Shopping Center where my apartment penthouse was across the beach. I missed swimming there every morning. Waikiki night life, Hanohano Restaurant on Sheraton´s penthouse, sharkdiving, skydiving in North Shore (it´s warmer there than in Norway for this activity…brrrrr)
I miss my moped zipping through Kaimuki and Kalanianiaole Highway. I also miss Tantalus where I used to live since I picked fresh Hawaiian flowers there every weekend. I miss the pancakes at Ken´s house in Big Island, the lilikoi pancake sauces, chocolate and caramel macadamia nuts, fresh kona coffee…
Had to agree with Chris, everything came like a flood. Whether one admits it or not, Hawaii grows in you. I can hear Israel Kamakawiwo Ole´s Sandy Beach of Hawaii song. Volcano National Park. Molokai. Manele Bay on Lanai. Ken´s Pancakes in Hilo. Looking at the snow and the crazy telescopes up at the top of the world on the small airplanes we used to chill with. I miss being tan and I miss freediving off of Waimea Beach. Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay. Body surfing in Waimanalo and Sandy. I miss seducing women by packing picnics and take them to Kailua beach and take them on top of Makapuu after circling the island, stopping for shave ice with ice cream in Hale`iwa.
It is a rough place if you are a local. But as a tourist it is fine. I remember having friends who worked 3 jobs just to get by. It is painful to see that what used to be the land of the Kings where ancient Hawaiians lived, is now filled with commercialism. Tourism is the bread and butter of the islands as any tropical places on earth. I have always been a proponent of diversification of industries. So much can be done and at the same time limited due to the distance to the mainland USA. Monopolies are also predominant there, especially in the shipping industry. But the struggle to survive everyday is a problem for most. I know that one of the major issues when I ran a Governor´s race was the plight of the Hawaiians and the Ceded Lands that the US government took from them. Former Governor Benjamin Cayetano (proud to say, he was the highest ranking Filipino descent in US political office) instituted the Hawaiian Affairs Office to help the Hawaiians. Unfortunately, nothing gets done. So much bureaucracy that nothing gets done as the constitution stipulates that they need majority votes to get something accomplished. Meanwhile, you have the Hawaiian descent with literacy, health and economic problems. Hawaii was a place of contrasts. I learned a lot from her multi-ethnic world. Where else can you find a place where the whites are minority?
Well, I still hear Bruddah Iz in my head…
I saw you in my dreams
We were walking hand in hand
On a white, sandy beach of Hawaii
We were playing in the sun
We were having so much fun
on a white, sandy beach of Hawaii
The sound of the ocean
soothes my restless soul
The sound of the ocean
rocks me all night long
Those hot long summer days
Lying there in the sun
on a white, sandy beach of Hawaii
The sound of the ocean
soothes my restless soul
The sound of the ocean
rocks me all night long
Last night in my dreams
I saw your face again
We were there in the sun
on a white, sandy beach of Hawaii
