Things I miss about Hawaii
Posted by
journaliz in
CHIT-chats on
July 18th, 2009 |
10 responses
They say that at the end of a rainbow rests a pot of gold.
It was only in Hawaii where I have seen the literal end of those mysterious bows of colors. It was morning when I was strolling down the campus of BYUH when transparent rows of colors rested upon the green leaves of a petite coconut tree; almost kissing the ground. I didn’t see any pot of gold. Yet the fact that I have actually saw something close to a myth –that is the end of a rainbow; for me is more than beholding a pot of gold! To add to the mystic of Hawaiian rainbows, I am equally amazed on how one is reflected by another; “double rainbows,” to be exact. Yes. Surprisingly, those perfect bows across the Hawaiian sky were at times come with another, equally exquisite!
More so, Aloha rainbows are never aloof. In a day, one could see at least two to three rainbows! How adorable and magical they are!
The miss the rain showers of Hawaii.
One night on my way to Hale 5 (women’s dormitory) from an exhausting day at work, I was welcomed by rain showers, so fine it waltzed with the wind! I then raised my head up and allowed the shower tickle my tired face. It’s like pure, wet silk gently wiping my forehead down to my chin — a relaxing, very calming experience I long to feel again.
I miss clipping a flower on my right ear.
Flowers are a huge part of the Hawaiian culture and identity. On an ordinary day, ladies, married or not walk around with a flower on their ear; be it as big as a hibiscus (gumamela, Hawaii’s state flower) or as simple as a plumeria (calachuchi) and a gardenia (rosal). Even the buds of a ginger flower (camia) adorn and accentuate their long, wavy hair.
Flower on the right ear means you’re single or “available.” Flower on the left, convey you are “taken” or married. If I may get the chance to visit Hawaii again, mine would be on my left ear.
I miss the flower leis of Hawaii.
August 15, 2002 was my first day in Hawaii. Landing at the Honolulu International Airport, I was welcomed with flowers leis embellishing my neck. The most leis I received however was during my graduation in June 15, 2005; it almost drowned my face. I also received leis from friends and my sister Dolour yearly during my birthday.
Offering leis mean many things; it could mean a warm welcome, a bubbly birthday greeting, a great gratitude, a crowning congratulations, a friendly farewell, or an expression of lasting love. This is indeed a very beautiful Hawaiian tradition very nostalgic.
I miss the 8-lane highways of Hawaii.
With an everyday traffic jam in almost anywhere in the Philippines; there’ll be no wonder why something as simple as a highway is worth-longing for.
Travelling is no hustle. In my three-year stay in Hawaii, I had no experience of being caught helpless in a car-clogged road. In addition to the ease they bring to trekkers, the mesmerizing mountains on the right and the blue beaches on the left, doubles the comfort of travellers.
I miss the “shaka” Hawaiian style.
The hand-flashing showing only the little finger and the thumb, commonly shown as “shaka,” has a funny story to tell. In a small show at the Hukilau beach, purposed to raise funds, showcased a role-playing on a historical event – the unifying of the Hawaiian islands.
The fisherman portraying King Kamehameha kept waving at the crowd. The giggling people answered with a sarcastic wave showing only their little finger and thumb, unknowing of the tragic, equally amusing experience behind it. While fishing, a shark literally tore off three of his fingers leaving only his first and fifth fingers! That clearly explains the y-shaped gesture.
I miss the sea breeze of Hawaii.
BYUH lies a few yards away from the seashore; and you can really smell and feel the fresh, soothing sea breeze; and even if the sun is up and shining, the feeling doesn’t go near bad; amazingly it augments the rejuvenating sensation. It’s ironic because my past experiences (in the Philippines) with sea breeze coupled with the pricking sun rays equals to an icky, sweaty feeling. It queries me because obviously, we have the same sun and yet the feelings vary.
I miss The Bus of Hawaii.
I miss everything about The Bus (Hawaii’s public transportation) but the smell and the motion sickness it brought me – not to mention my unpleasing experiences light-headed.
The travelling system is very profound, not to mention how highly sophisticated those yellow, wheeled boxes are! Forgive my being almost naive but I am amazed by the electronic box that swallowed up my one-dollar fare (be sure to bring an exact amount; it doesn’t give change); I am impressed by how it specifically announced names of places it passed by – “Kamehameha,” “Ala Moana Boulevard,” “BYU,” and so on. The robotic, close-to-human voice of the bus still runs through my head. I am also pretty astonished by the way you say “para.” Actually you don’t have to utter a word to make a stop. But if you need to, you just have to pull the silver wire lined against the huge windows then the voice would say “stop requested,” with the words written in red on the rectangular screen positioned atop the bus operator’s head.
I miss the Hawaiian beaches.
You may refer to my previous blog dated July__ , and you’ll learn why I miss the beaches of Hawaii.
I miss the Aloha spirit.
I miss the rainbows of Hawaii.
They say that at the end of a rainbow rests a pot of gold.
Pay closer attentionto the 2nd bow, a bit faint yet equally exquisite!
It was only in Hawaii where I have seen the literal end of those mysterious bows of colors. It was morning when I was strolling down the campus of BYUH when colorful and transparent stripes rested upon the green leaves of a petite coconut tree; almost kissing the ground. I didn’t see any pot of gold.
Notice the subtle, 2nd bow.
Yet the fact that I have actually saw something close to a myth –that is the end of a rainbow; for me is more than beholding a pot of gold! To add to the mystic of Hawaiian rainbows, I am equally amazed on how one is reflected by another; “double rainbows,” to be exact. Surprisingly, those perfect bows across the Hawaiian sky at times come with another, equally exquisite! More so, Aloha rainbows are never aloof. In a day, one could see at least two to three rainbows! How adorable and magical they are!
The miss the rain showers of Hawaii.
Rainshowers waltzing with the wind
One night on my way to Hale 5 (women’s dormitory) from an exhausting day at work, I was welcomed by rain showers, so fine it waltzed with the wind! I then raised my head up and allowed the shower tickle my tired face. It’s like pure, wet silk gently wiping my forehead down to my chin — a relaxing, very calming experience I long to feel again.
I miss clipping a flower on my ear.
white plumeria on my right ear
Flowers are a huge part of the Hawaiian culture and identity. On an ordinary day, ladies, married or not, walk around with a flower on their ear; be it as big as a hibiscus (gumamela, Hawaii’s state flower) or as simple as a plumeria (calachuchi) and a gardenia (rosal). Even the buds of a ginger flower (camia) adorn and accentuate their long, wavy hair.
Flower on the right ear means you’re single or “available.” Flower on the left, conveys you are “taken” or married. If I may get the chance to visit Hawaii again, mine would be on my left ear.
I miss the flower leis of Hawaii.
June 15,2005 BYUH Graduation (with sister Dolour) I love the leis and the haku!
August 15, 2002 was my first day in Hawaii. Landing at the Honolulu International Airport, I was welcomed with flower leis embellishing my neck. The most leis I received however was during my graduation in June 15, 2005; it almost drowned my face. I also received leis from friends and my sister Dolour yearly during my birthday.
Offering leis means many things; it could mean a warm welcome, a bubbly birthday greeting, a great gratitude, a crowning congratulations, a friendly farewell, or an expression of lasting love. This is indeed a very beautiful Hawaiian tradition very nostalgic.
I miss the Hawaiian hula.
hula dancing for my husband on our wedding day
The first day I got to watch a live Hawaiian wahine (woman) dancing hula was during our freshman orientation at BYUH; I still clearly remember, it was by the Banyan Tree in front of Hale 1. She was dressed in a beautiful flowery dress; she had her hair tied in a bun with a smile stamped on her equally pretty face; and of course hips that were smoothly swinging like fine golden lace. She swayed so effortlessly, mesmerizing the crowd.
Dancing the enchanting hula, on the other hand is a very relaxing and love-filled experience. The hips and the hands tell a story; most of the time, a story of love. On my wedding day, I conveyed my Aloha to my husband in the form of a hula; dancing to the tune of ”Love and Honesty;” a song I really love. That was the most memorable; the sweetest hula I ever did.
I miss the 8-lane express ways of Hawaii.
With an everyday traffic jam in almost anywhere in the Philippines; there’ll be no wonder why something as simple as a highway is worth-longing for.
Travelling is no hustle. In my three-year stay in Hawaii, I had no experience of being caught helpless in a car-clogged road. In addition to the ease they bring to trekkers, the mesmerizing mountains on the right and the blue beaches on the left, double the comfort of travellers.
I miss the “shaka” Hawaiian style.
"shaka" local Hawaiian style
The hand-flashing showing only the little finger and the thumb, commonly known as “shaka,” has a brief and funny story to tell: a show at the Hukilau beach, purposed to raise funds, showcased a role-playing on a historical event – the unifying of the Hawaiian islands.
The fisherman portraying King Kamehameha kept waving at the crowd. The giggling people answered back with a sarcastic wave showing only their little finger and thumb, unknowing of the tragic, equally amusing experience behind it– while fishing, a shark literally tore off three of his fingers leaving only his pinky and the pointer fingers! That clearly explains the y-shaped gesture.
I miss The Bus of Hawaii.
The Bus of Hawaii
I miss everything about The Bus (Hawaii’s public transportation) but the smell and the motion sickness it brought me – not to mention my unpleasing experiences being light-headed.
The travelling system is very profound, not to mention how highly sophisticated those yellow, wheeled boxes are! Forgive my being almost naive but I am amazed by the electronic box that swallowed up my one-dollar fare (be sure to bring an exact amount; it doesn’t give change); I am impressed by how The Bus specifically announced names of places it passed by – “Kamehameha,” “Ala Moana Boulevard,” “BYU,” and so on. The robotic, close-to-human voice still runs through my head. I am also pretty astonished by the way you say “para.” Actually you don’t have to utter a word to make a stop. But if you need to, you just have to pull the silver wire lined against the huge windows then the voice would say “ting! stop requested,” with the words written in red on the rectangular digital screen positioned atop the bus operator’s head.
I miss the sea breeze of Hawaii.
Feel the Hawaiian Sea Breeze
BYUH lies a few yards away from the seashore; and you can really smell and feel the fresh, soothing sea breeze; and even if the sun is up and shining, the feeling doesn’t go near bad; amazingly it augments the rejuvenating sensation. It’s ironic because my past experiences (in the Philippines) with sea breeze coupled with the pricking sun rays equaled to an icky, sweaty feeling. It queries me because obviously, we have the same sun and yet the feeling is different.
I miss the Hawaiian beaches.
You may refer to my previous blogs and you’ll learn why I miss the waves and beaches of Hawaii.
I miss the Aloha spirit.
“Aloha”to Hawaiian means many things; it could be as simple as a “hello,or “welcome;” it could be a “farewell” and itcould be as deep as an “i loveyou.” These are the things “Aloha” is famous for; but I learned that this sweet five-letter word means more than a greeting; even more than an expression of love — the “Ha” in it means “the breath of life.” “Aloha” is more than a mere word or a simple greeting. It is love; it is life, it is also the spirit of a supreme being. It may be referred to as charity, the pure love of Christ. It is indeed a very meaningful, sacred word for the Hawaiian people.
It is at times inexplicable; but for those who have come to Hawaii and experienced it; they share the same feeling of nostalgia; they long for the Aloha spirit. I hope it would stay thriving in me and radiating it though I am away from Hawaii.
Related posts:
- I Miss You My Hawaii
- North Shore’s 40-foot waves
- My first dip into the Hawaiian waters
- Mr. Touch’s touching tale
- Mysteries of Heaven
Oh how I missed the things that you have cited! Hawaii is so dear to me not just for the Aloha spirit and the golden islands, but because my extended family and all maternal relatives are there. I miss Ina (My Mom), my sisters Dina, Emy, Lea, and Mona; my brothers Pidiw, Nanding, Gary and Dael; of course, all my brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, my cousins, nieces and nephews, my uncles and aunties and my Grandma Pinay… my favorite lola.
I look forward to my next trip to Hawaii.
I miss you, too, my Hawaii
It’s brilliant. No wonder people like you miss this beautiful places.
) Its kinda magical in my imaginations. I’m touched.
chit, i miss my hale 3 mom! hehehe
ok poh ahhhh….congrats poh pla sister..hehehehe….,,,gnda poh ahhhh??
truly your a treasure to my ermano pot…. My warmest congratulations to my ermano…
how I wish I could find someone who is little bit like u someday also ermana…. nangarap pah eh…
I miss dagupan ( d pah aq napunta ng hawaii eh… (“,)heheh….
I was amazed by ur talent mana… great work…. dumudgo nah ilong sa english… hahahh…
ganda
Through this article, it seems that I had a glimpse of the Hawaiian sky and its beautiful rainbows, for indeed it is truly fascinating to the human eye where a variety of its colors may be seen painted across the horizon.
More than a myth of a “pot of gold” and its psychedelic colors, the rainbow is a symbol of GOD’s covenant with man that our LORD ALMIGHTY will no longer use a deluge to punish His people.May God be praised!
Yes! The rainbow is a magnificently beautiful creation of God. I love it! Be it flashed in Hawaii or in the Philippines or whatever part of the earth, it’s amazingly beautiful to behold. And yet it only shows itself for a moment. It’s like the orange glow of morning as the sun rises and the magical sunset that sinks in just few winks of an eye. Welcome to the club of nature lovers!
The things that you miss about hawaii is what I see and encounter almost everyday. Lucky me I live here in hawaii. And I thank the Lord for all the things that he created and provide for us! Praised the Lord Almighty and God may pour his blessing upon us.
Hello there! Aloha! Yes, indeed you are lucky and so much blessed with the nature’s best that abounds the paradise islands. I hope i can visit hawaii again sometime before the end of 2010.