Summer Waning

You can sense it in the air. A slight chill cools the sunlight and people seem a little less hyped as they cruise the streets of Waikiki. It's not bad, really, but you can sense the changes, subtle though they may be.

Soon, the rains will come in force, but not before the real heat that usually comes around September. A couple of weeks without the tradewinds will see to that. We're already conditioning ourselves for the coming heat. After that, the cool winds, then the cold. It can get down to 70 degrees! Think of it!

It won't be like Denver, though, huh Brennen?

Starting School

Brennen started at Washington Middle School last week Thursday, making two new friends. He's like that, I guess. Who wouldn't want to have him as a buddy.

Got some sad news on his third day, yesterday. When he went into one of his classes, a course in Japanese, the kids turned in his direction and quipped, "Hey, look, a Haole kid!"

Generally, this doesn't bother me. Being an islander myself, I'd heard it all. For Brennen, however, this was something new and quite foreign to him. It hurt his feelings and I couldn't help but feel for him. I had similar treatment when I moved to the continental USA.

I felt the anger, but I kept it to myself. No kid should have to hear something like that, no matter what their ethnicity. I guess we can thank adults for perpetuating this kind of stupidity.

Being Haole is no big deal, really. It's a fact of life. We are all different. Haole means "foreigner", and for some of the purists, was the name of an ancient, almost forgotten god who happened to be white (mind you, there are disagreements on this particular bit of knowledge), remember Captain Cook? and does not mean Caucasian. I mean, if you have to get literal. The old ones used the term Kanaka Palani for the concurrent term Haole. The young are somewhat limited in their history and knowledge of the language. You have to forgive them for that. I had to take a few mental steps back to forgive these waifs. I was just as guilty when that age.

Hawaii has its prejudices, all a result of its turbulent history. Being overtaken by a small group of plantation owners and business men in power made for some bad blood in those days. Too bad the later generations can't get over that. What's done is done. I wonder if it will ever be resolved. For now, I don't see it.

In the meantime, Brennen will have to toughen up. These ignorant kids will pass away, but if Brennen perseveres, he'll be just fine. Other kids like Brennen have done well. I see no reason Brennen can't do the same.

Another Day In Paradise

Looks like I'll be frolicking in the Pacific more as time goes on with Brennen becoming more and more a part of our lives.

The waters off the Moana Sheraton is warm, like bath water. Very comfortable and tends to make me groggy after playing in it for a couple of hours. We swam for what seemed like a moment when we saw Dwane signalling for us to return to shore. Hated to come out, but dinner was awaiting and I need my food, fat guy or not.

Swimming till just after sunset is so relaxing, there is nothing that can compare. Though surrounded by other bathers catching a wave to body surf, Brennen and I had the time of our lives. He's opened up to me a lot and we talked about things that I thought he'd never confide to me. Dare I mention his thoughts on line? Nah, too soon.

A Lei Is Forever

. . . if you take care of it.  I opted to find Brennen and Valerie a lei that would last more than just a few days, getting them Hawaii seed leis, complete with Kuikui nuts and seeds of all kinds.  Rather attractive, if I do say so myself.  The price was right, though it set me back a couple of twenties . . . okay, just $6 a lei.  Still, they look pretty good.  Brennen sure liked it.

Thank goodness the ancient custom of lei giving is still around in Hawaii.  Most people think they are used only for greetings, birthdays, or for being a good employee.  For me, giving a lei is a grand gesture.  Flowers are nice, but giving leis that last are most important to me.  Whenever someone sees a lei I’ve given them, they’ll remember me and why I gave it to them.  Making a lei is even more special.

My cousin, Paul Auditor, Jr. (better known as Junior to the Ohana) has a talent of making feather leis like the old Alii used to wear.  They are comparable to the ancient feather leis and are extremely beautiful.  I wonder if he still makes them?  I know they involved a lot of work and concentration.  I still marvel at how easy he seemed to make it, yet I know it wasn’t.

July 17, 2005 B is Here!

Brennen finally made a touchdown last night in Honolulu, his new home. His flight was almost an hour late in taking off, but made good time when he arrived. Poor kid was exhausted. I’ll be seeing him tonight with Valerie. Keith will be dropping by the condo to wish him an aloha.

Ohhhh! I need to buy some leis. Can’t be official without one!

B Is Coming!

It was spontaneous news, when I got home last night. Dwane and I talked about our days and then he laid it on me. B is arriving this coming Sunday. My jaw dropped!

After all the hoohah, his father decided to release him to come over to the island. It's about tahm! Dang.

Hope he doesn't feel we are mad at him for what he did. No excuse for what he did, but I can't blame him. Though I'm 54 going on 55, I remember what 12 years old was like.

T'wasn't purty.

Growing up with limbs going in every which direction.

Finding that people just aren't interested in what a 12 year old has to say, yet feeling like you've got a lot to say.

Wanting your own space and getting people in your face.

Wants and needs, needs and wants and not knowing how you're going to handle it all.

Wondering if both your nuts will come out their sockets so that you'll feel in balance . . .

Mmm, mmm. Sucks being a kid/boy/man.

What a world. Had some great news. Don't have to pay for a notary public at work. Now I can get some much needed papers taken care of, like getting Valerie's Proof of Residency and wills and stuff like that. NPs cost about $15 to $20 a crack. Nice.

Found out about why B threw river rocks into the school's windows. He wanted to get to Hawaii faster and figured that if he acted bad enough, his Daddy would let him go faster. Well, if you have to have a reason . . .

I much prefer patience, especially if the wheels are already turning in that direction. Oh Gawd, I used a cliche. Forgive me.

Did it help any?

Did casting river rocks into the glass windows help any? Anything improve? Worse? Is it really any surprise that it only messed things up just a teeny-weeny bit? Perhaps a little forethought before casting stones just because someone said something that hurt your feelings.

You can’t please everyone. Not all people will love you, or even like you. That is an unfortunate lesson every human being learns at one point of their life.

Some people don’t make it. Some just give up. Don’t give up, B. Don’t give up. Your list of people who really love you and care for you are too numerous to have to worry about the ones who don’t care about you. For what it’s worth, B, you’re number one in my book.

Dwane is finally getting some physical therapy, and wouldn't you know it, the guy helping him with his therapy is leaving for the Mainland this Friday to go to school. What rotten luck! Dwane will need to get used to a different therapist.

Once he gets used to a helper, he gets comfortable. Change on him and it riles him. Can't blame him. I like constancey myself. I work hard for my "comfort zones!" I figure I earned it.

People from the Life Springs ( a new age group) would chide people who enjoy their comfort zones. Hah! Like they don't do the same thing! Twits.

It's summer and I'm having fun! What are you doing???
My gawd. The Smilies work on this thing!