Aloha

Hawaii Blogs:

October November 07

Walking in Waikiki

With Cloudia Charters, Mac is Back! 11.16.07

Folks have been asking: "Where's Mac?" When Planet Hollywood rolled up its sidewalk café a few months back our old friend, the gifted caricature artist Bill McQ, disappeared along with it! Well I'm happy to report that he is right back where he belongs on the bustling sidewalk of Kalakaua, making art that makes people happy. You can look for his tall display featuring Hollywood stars in all their goofy splendor – the only tall, lighted display by an artist on all the avenue – right in front of the Waikiki Shopping Plaza between Royal Hawaiian & Seaside (on the mauka/mountain side of Kalakaua).

After having trained and supervised all of the Universal Studios caricaturists at City Walk in Hollywood for a few years, this Kama`aina knew that it was time to return to his beloved Waikiki. There's just something about magical evenings in that amazing river of humanity that is the sidewalks of Kalakaua after dusk! Semi-retired now, Bill loves sharing his considerable talent with locals and visitors alike on a donations basis. (I'd say that a 25-30$ contribution for Bill's favorite causes would be a very fair amount) You know, most of the performers, artists, palm readers, and craftspeople on the sidewalk are sincere people making their humble way in the narrow margins of "free speech" and making a sincere effort to share something of value from their hearts. Sometimes the voluntary mutual transaction is the whole point, but a special few are true gifts to the public, bringing unforgettable experiences, memories, and keepsakes to delighted kids-of-all-ages night after night. Our friend Bill, who signs his work: "Mac," is one of the best. This artist (who drew some of those stars on his display in person) is happy to make YOU a feel like a star every time you look at your own unique face dazzled by the lights and magic of the Waikiki night. If you stop and think about it, souvenirs are a species of magic talisman. When I drink from my Ebenezer Baptist Church Atlanta, GA mug I can close my eyes and be back inside the mother church of Martin Luther King Jr. that I visited one Sunday years ago, feeling the great spirit of human dignity swell around me.

When you put on that aloha shirt you will always remember buying it in Honolulu and have a life-long story to tell. When you have your caricature created by MAC you will have a magical ticket back to the sweet smelling, seductive nights you spent with us here in Waikiki. And as the years pass you'll smile at your younger self (old friend) and understand that sometimes vacation with your loved ones is one of the most important parts of a life. . .

Who is that walking down Kuhio? Why it's Kumu Hula, Hawaiian educator & cultural specialist (and great person) Brad Lum. I was lucky to meet Brad when we were both involved in local public health outreach. We even performed together at a benefit concert, me with my flute and he with his mesmerizing Hula. It's great to hear that this authentic & warm man is sharing his wisdom with local school kids, and serving as an officer in Hawaiian Civic Organizations. Nice bumping into you again, Brad, just strolling around Waikiki. Let us hear what you're up to!

Winter in Hawaii: Last week we had thunder and lightening not seen here in years. Exciting! I can smell Christmas in the air. Soon Santa & the Mrs. will be cooling their feet in the fountain at Honolulu Hale (city hall) again, and hillsides of poinsettias will bloom on the lovely Kona Coast of the Big Island. Winter is our somewhat wetter season. It's still warm & tropical feeling (like Mark Twain's "immortal Summer") to visitors, but us locals notice the twinge of winter in the trade winds, the impossibly bluer blue of the sky, and yes, occasional rain.

Personally I enjoy the silver and pewter days of rainy breezes, cozying up to a book and mug of Kona coffee as if it really is winter, re-living childhood memories of snow days. Then just as quickly everything's brilliantly clean, clear and mesmerizing again. We have many of these mini-springs, days that feel like the first day of summer, the first day of your life as you WANT to live it, full of possibility, hope and wonderful sights and smells!

Here's a winter swimming tip: Our lifeguards are not kids doing a summer job. They are professional watermen (and women) who train very hard and who know lots of ocean wisdom. It's always worthwhile to swim where they are posted, and to check with them before you enter the ocean. Every season, some over-confident visitors ignore local advice and get in over their heads in our world-class ocean conditions. Usually they are grateful and wiser when pulled to the beach by locals (professionals & good Samaritans).

As for sharks, attacks here are very rare, but be smart! Avoid muddy churning water right after a big rain. Predators prowl for snacks in that brew, and may chomp on you by mistake. If you do get chomped, fight back! Punch the nose, poke the eye! A scar may not be the souvenir you were thinking of but it sure makes for a great story to scare your grandkids. You can show them news video of your five minutes of fame. . . You see excitement of all kinds is just around the corner. . . When you're walking in Waikiki. . . Aloha!

Be sure to check out Cloudia's Hawaii Novel "Aloha Where You Like Go?" at Amazon.com or local bookstores! Contact her at cloudia.charters@gmail.com

Walking in Waikiki

With Cloudia Charters, "Kitty Takes a Dip" 10.31.07

Our third mate, Miss Kitty, is very adept at boat life and usually leaps to the dock with all the aplomb of a life-long sailor. But something must have gone terribly wrong the other day. Perhaps a juicy bird or captivating fish distracted her at just the crucial moment, a sudden breeze, or a feline brainfart. . . I'll never know for sure, but from below decks I could hear the pitiful, guttural yowling of a deeply discomfited kitty!

There on the shore rocks sat a VERY bedraggled and miserable creature resembling a water rat. I wanted to rinse the muck and who-knows-what out of her fur before she could ingest it with that busy little tongue of hers, but she must have thought I was trying to finish her off when I rinsed her in warm water. Being swaddled in a towel, rubbed, loved-up, and spoken to reassuringly was more to her taste, and she endured an unprecedented amount of it. In fact she didn't leave my side for the rest of the day and night, though I'm proud to report that she is back to her old flair acrobatics. She does continue to spend more time with me than she used to, but I guess she's simply learned a new appreciation for a warm lap in this sometimes wet and yucky world. . .

Actually, the harbor seems cleaner since the refurbishment of the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon. Five 200-foot wells have been drilled that are bringing deep, brackish water into the lagoon refreshing it up to five times a day. The outflow sluices through the harbor bringing fresh clean water and flushing what were stale eddies collecting debris. Walking along the harbor's edge, behind the Ilikai and across the lane from the lagoon, you can even see sand collecting on the bottom and a new eco-balance taking shape. The fish seem to adore it (so do I!).

And speaking of reanimation (perhaps I came up with that Frankenstein word because it's Halloween time) there may be snow flurries in hell, because our long absent "F Dock" has been reborn as a modern, modular place to safely moor boats! The project is not finished yet, but progress continues, and if the new harbormaster is not careful this place might start looking like the first class marina it once was. . .

A tip or two for swimmers: For the past 20 years, Waikiki has seen a regular influx of jellyfish 10 days AFTER the full moon. So if you are planning a water-sports vacation here you may want to take this into consideration; of course the lagoon will be open to swimmers next month, and there is SO much to do here that many never even dip a toe in the surf. Of course I like to dip a toe in the surf. . . and then lie in the shade of a palm tree (of which the lagoon has several wonderful new examples). . .

Ah the moon! The full moon just passed was at the near side (perigee?) of the elliptical lunar orbit. It was 14% wider and 3% brighter than your average full moon, and though the experts said that it would not be that noticeable, believe me, we NOTICED. There may be moon over Miami, honeymoons, and moon pies, but there is NO moon like the moon sailing over Waikiki! See for yourself. There's another trip planning tip: be here for the whole lunar pie-in-the-sky if you can; you may decide to stay for the next one, and the next one, and. . .

The Beach Walk project on Lewers Street has a new, classy Italian restaurant at the corner of Don Ho lane. I love Italian food, but can't help comparing new places with the authentic South Philly parlors of my youth. Being taken to Dante & Luigi's on it's narrow city street, with it's hundred year old waiters, and that unforgettable scent of red tomato "gravy" that has been percolating in the same seasoned pots for decades, was an authentic experience that newer places will simply take time to develop. I wish them Buena Fortuna!

And speaking of Don Ho, local funny man Andy Bumatai tells about the time he and Don were driving down Kalakaua, when Don leaned over and tooted Andy's car horn at a red light. The driver ahead of them climbed down from his giant pickup looking furious and walked back to their car. He was all ready to "beef" until he saw Mr. Waikiki in the passenger's seat! "Hey Brah, that's a 'howzit horn' no need to get all huhu about it!" said Don, in that unique ultra-relaxed way that he had. Needless to say, the guy was "shame" but he walked back to his truck with a great story to tell about the day Don Ho tooted "howzit" at him. . .

"Honolulu" literally means: "Sheltered Bay." The old folks say that we should call our town "Honolulu Town" or we're just referring to the downtown harbor itself. OK! Honolulu Town it is. And remember: Manoa, Mo`ili`ili, and Kaimuki were all little towns of their own before the incorporation of the City and County of Honolulu. Today's C&C covers not only the entire isle of O`ahu, but some surrounding islands and waters, making mayor Mufi the leader of quite a little empire. Take that mayor Bloomberg! (New York City). . .

Walking in Waikiki, I feel as if I'm on the visitors' turf, but when I stroll the other direction to Ala Moana Shopping Center, I feel that the visitors are on our turf (and they are most welcome!) Best international people watching in the world, they should charge admission. Here's a secret: if you crave a quick, affordable lunch in Japan, simply ascend to the second floor of our own (now locally owned) Shirokiya Japanese-style Department Store. There you will find a delightful confusion of traditional Japanese prepared foods like you might buy and eat on the streets on Tokyo or Osaka. New visiting vendors celebrating regions or seasons rotate through all the time, so check it out. . .

Ah! That snap in the air, the hint of Alaska snow in the trade winds, sleeping with a light blanket (and without "below decks sweat") the hot weather is finally passing. Now comes the good stuff! The hot fudge sundae of cool breezy temps and warm, healing sun that kicks Waikiki a few levels up the heavenly scale are just beginning.

Soon the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center will complete its major re-imagining, complementing and adjoining Beach Walk. The former cement bunker between Kalakaua Avenue and the beach has been opened up and modernized. A festival of Hawaiian culture and entertainment is promised. Even the venerable pink lady, The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, is so impressed that she will turn around and place her grand entrance to meet the party when she completes her renovations, beginning soon. Instead of cement and shop windows we will see palm groves, sky and the pink Grande Dame too. . . just the thing. . . when you are walking in Waikiki. . . ALOHA!

Be sure to check out Cloudia's Hawaii Novel "Aloha Where You Like Go?" at Amazon.com or local bookstores! Contact her about performing YOUR AFFORDABLE BEACH WEDDING at cloudia.charters@gmail.com

Walking in Waikiki

With Cloudia Charters, 10.25.07, "41 Miles Away"

C ongratulations to well respected Waikiki beach boy Joseph "Nappy" Napoleon on his golden 50^th crossing of the Kaiwi Channel between Molokai and O`ahu. The "Molokai Hoe" (started in 1952) is perhaps the world's premier paddling event, and Nappy has been a part of it since the 1958 race when he was 17.

Today's canoes are longer, the paddles much lighter, but the channel is still 41 miles and sometimes the seas are rough. On October 7^th his sons and grandsons alternated paddling but Nappy steered the entire way.

This Kapahulu / Palolo clan is anchored by Nappy's wife Anona who he met (of course!) at the beach 42 years ago. When the "family" canoe reached Duke Kahanamoku Beach you could hear the roar of cheering all the way to the Hawaii Yacht Club!

With his bright yellow shirt and dozens of lei, Nappy was a sight to behold under the smiling tropical sun. I know we witnessed a nice bit of local history. Paddling is more than just a sport, you see, it is a cultural and spiritual thing to Hawaiians who have traveled between islands in canoes for centuries. Long may they carry on. Hana Hou ("one more time!"). . .

The Honolulu Phone Book is very interesting! All the unique local names, and the many ethnicities represented, never fail to draw me in whenever I pick it up. Now who or what was I searching for?

Oh well, look at all these "Makekau's" "Manabog's" "Manuel's" "Masuda's" "Ming's" "Mook's" and "Moon's!" . . . Cloudia's Gallery of Unknown Greats: There are folks in any community who the "public" (that's us!) will never get to know, and that's too bad. We pass them on the street never realizing the amazing stories we will never get to hear. I think of them as "Unknown Greats."

They are celebrities in a certain circle: a profession, hobby or neighborhood; great people like my friend, pilot Gene W. Gene flies those "ambulance planes" around the islands. I know that they are lucky to have him. Though he never discusses it, "Gino" was a copter pilot in Viet Nam pulling our wounded folks out of firefights. No wonder nothing gets him rattled today.

There's no one I'd feel safer flying with; and you'll never be bored either! Even with my famously bad memory I'll never forget one story Gene told me about his flying days in Africa. Jobs were very precious commodities to the Africans that he worked with.

One day the big boss called one of the local mechanics into his office and fired the fellow with a loud flourish. The man, who had seen much of life, looked back at the boss calmly, and in a soft voice said: "What? You are not going to cut my hand off, kill my family or poison our well? It's just a job."

Then he walked away with a dignity that I think about whenever I'm upset about some "big problem." There aren't many mechanical problems (big or small) that Gino can't figure out and calmly repair.

A longtime Kama`aina with his own rented hanger on the outskirts of HONO airport, he fixes and even BUILDS airplanes! Every pilot in town has borrowed Gene's time, wisdom, and tools at one time or another. He knows every gaily-painted little private plane at the Lagoon Drive hangars personally. So here's to Gene W – our first unknown great – who also built my 1973 BMW motorcycle from the frame up. But that's another story. . .

The Hawaii Super Ferry is stilled moored in controversy, but the City's Commuter Ferry between Kalaeloa and the Aloha Tower (a one year demonstration project) is a quiet hit with downtown workers. The 4:20pm Pau Hana (work done! Happy Hour!) cruise is especially popular. Don't you agree that a short sea cruise with snacks and free wireless internet is more pleasant than a packed freeway?

When I hear "Boutique Condo" I think of a chic little place in a ritzy neighborhood with limo's idling out front. But Honolulu's neighborhoods, like Mo`ili`ili, boast many small-scale apartment buildings on family properties, many of them built by little-guy contractors (veterans) in the post WWII Hawaii economic boom.

Suddenly grandma's house was a source of income, and perhaps a small part of our easygoing local lifestyle is rooted in these longtime family properties. Many of our humble, working class neighbors are cash-poor millionaires, which is why our ever-rising property taxes are an issue to local retirees with new wealthy mainland Mc Mansions on the block. . .

Hey, City! Cut grandma a break already!! Cruising our neighborhoods is fascinating if you are AT ALL interested in unusual tropical "chop suey" architecture. . .

Caught local funny man Andy Bumatai at the Hawaii Motorcycle Dealers' annual dinner. The relaxed total professional clearly had no fixed idea of where this gig was going, but he quickly warmed up to the local (just us!) crowd and built an amusing set one riff at a time. Intrepid Editor and I plan to crash the audience for Andy's weeknight half hour TV variety show that tapes right over here at the Hilton. Editor should bring his guitar and sing a song. Me? I'm polishing off my "novelist persona" and want to sell more copies of "Aloha Where You Like Go?" Look for us soon. . . on the sidewalk outside the studio. That Hilton security means business ;-). . .

Got a sec? Save the World! We are all so busy that our "to do" lists seem to get longer instead of shorter. Believe me, I know! But if you could save over 12 feet of genuine Amazon Rainforest (our Earth's lungs) just by clicking over to a web site would you? I love the feeling of tangible accomplishment every day, just knowing that I've made at least ONE good thing happen. And the Rain Forest Site sponsors offer cool fair-trade stuff so shop till your clicking finger hurts!

The Great Pumpkin!? Part of me misses the cool-kissed nights, sheaves of corn and jack-O lanterns on neighborhood porches (mainland lanai). Trick or treat! That smell of colored leaves being burned, when mixed liberally with the moan and distant drum solo of a night train miles away, calls to me at this time of year, so join me at the Aloun Farms pumpkin patch out on the Ewa plain, O`ahu's "big sky" country. The hayrides and dirty knees had been reserved for over 20,000 local school kids – till now! You and I can pick our own pumpkins and get our nostalgia-fix over the last two weekends of October.

Yes, autumn is the one time of year when I think wistfully of the "continent." But then I notice a rainbow over the mountains, hear the surf, smell the flowers and I feel lucky, very lucky once again, just to be Walking in Waikiki. . . ALOHA!

Be sure to check out Cloudia’s Hawaii Novel “Aloha Where You Like Go?” at Amazon.com or local bookstores! Contact her about performing YOUR AFFORDABLE BEACH WEDDING at cloudia.charters@gmail.com

The new Hilton Lagoon

What a little imagination will do

Papa Al 10.16.07

It took tons of rock. Truckload after truckload of sand. The designers ripped out the old manmade island and built a new one. They trucked away old muck. Filled the lagoon with rock. Covered it with a plastic sheet. Covered that with two feet of sand.

Viola. A new lagoon.

And it really looks nice.

They say, in the old days, after Henry J. Kaiser first built the Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Lagoon, people swam in it. I don’t remember.

I do remember years of seeing a beautiful body of water go unused. The bottom was mucky. It was not just a few years of muck. That area had always been a marshy kind of reef. When the bulldozers and front end loaders went to work, they discovered how deep the muck went. Way deep.

They dug a lot of it out and filled the rest with boulders. Not just your tiny boulders but big ones three, four feet across. Then they covered that with gravel.

$15 million worth of work.

That’s surprising since the lagoon is really owned by the state of Hawaii.

Hilton has a deed to use the lagoon in perpetuity as long as it’s kept clean for recreational purposes.

“The Lagoon Rejuvenation fits perfectly in the “story” about Waikiki’s continual transformation and improvements, but with a twist,” says Jon Conching, regional vice president for sales & marketing, Hilton Hawaii.

“The significant additions and improvements to retail and commercial facilities throughout Waikiki, are focused on bringing ‘what’s new’ to our visitors. Hilton’s improvements to the Lagoon are of an environmental nature, restoring a unique landmark for the benefit of Hilton’s guests and residents.”

The project is a “gift” to the people of Waikiki and Hawaii, the hotel said.

The old lagoon was up to 14 feet deep. I never knew that. I never went swimming in it and tried diving to the bottom. It was always kind of spooky, to tell the truth.

The new lagoon is a flat 5 feet deep, in the center, with a shallow slope all around. It uses a water circulation system from seven saltwater wells 250 feet deep that will draw 15,000 gallons of water per minute from the ocean.

This will turn the water in the lagoon about five times a day.

That means the lagoon will always have a positive flush going on. Even when it rains. The mucky brown water coming down from the vallies will not flush into the lagoon.

In addition, the lagoon has been landscaped with a boardwalk, waterfalls, 60 coconut trees, a few park benches, lauapaka and other beach plants.

The project is tied in with the Hilton Grand Vacation Club’s new Grand Waikikian timeshare project, which will have a pool area fronting the timeshare and next to the lagoon.

Builders included Delta Construction Corp., Alcon and Associates, Tom Manace Water Resource Engineering, and Belt Collins.

Walking in Waikiki

With Cloudia Charters, "A Taste of Genoa Keawe", 10.7.07

When I moved to Oahu from the Big Island, Kalihi was Honolulu to me. To most visitors, heck – even to many locals- Kalihi is synonymous only with industrial Nimitz Highway taking us past small factories, commercial businesses, docks, oil transport, and all the other necessities that most of us ignore as we drive between the airport, or the H-1, and Downtown/Waikiki.

Kalihi is working class and affordable, and (most importantly) a genuine neighborhood, perhaps Honolulu's (or even Hawaii's!) signature neighborhood – its lots more than a dusty highway! Kalihi Kai is the area makai of Nimitz: little streets full of tiny, urban residences, the like of which are rarely seen this side of Hawaii 50 reruns.

Tiny, indispensable industries line Kalani and Colburn Streets. At the shore one can look out at tiny Mokuea Island, which once was a flourishing Hawaiian fishing village, and is still visited by locals to fish or just get away from the city for a while.

Between Nimitz and School Street (towards the mountains) is called Kalihi Waena, served by King Street and Dillingham Boulevard. This is a tough urban enclave where successive waves of immigrants work hard, move up, and move on – possibly to lovely Kalihi Valley way up in the hills, where the Like Like Highway travels over the Ko`olau mountains like the Pali Highway's poorer sister, ending in working class country-town Kaneohe, rather than the Pali's rapidly gentrifying Kailua destination with it's art galleries and beachfront homes.

Being from Kalihi, saying that you graduated from Farrington High School, MEANS something in this town. It means that you are a down-to-earth person who has worked hard for all you ever got, and who never forgets where you came from.

Yes, when I was fresh off the jet from Kona, Kalihi WAS my Honolulu, the bars, the jobs, the affordable housing, the amazing mix of people and cultures, the friends-for-life. That's my Kalihi – which is why I enjoyed my visit to the first annual Taste of Kalihi last Saturday. It had everything: food stands, happy-sticky children, the music, the great grassroots organizations like KOKUA Kalihi Valley, and the smell of diesel from Dillingham Blvd mixing with the Kalbi. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

If you go, especially check out Bob's Barbecue at Dillingham & Waiakamilo, Spots Plate Lunch, Mitsu Ken on School Street (go early in the day for garlic chicken!), or Papa Al's favorite "classic hole-in-the-wall", Ethel's . You GO Kalihi! You'll always be special to me! . . .

Well GOL-LY! Everyone's favorite neighbor-around-town, Jim Nabors, TV's Gomer Pyle, was FINALLY promoted to US Marine Corporal in a nifty ceremony at Fort Derussy last week – just 43 years to the day after his show's pilot episode. Jim's a true kama`aina, available for every good work, a great guy, renowned for his splashy Christmas Show that he gifts us with every year. Did I hear that this time will be the last?! . . .

Boats are lovely things, dancing at the end of their lines. The Ala Wai Harbor is a special neighborhood WITHIN a special neighborhood. Our neighbors mean a lot to us, especially the good folks like Captain Dave Silvey, who's always available to help anyone who needs it. Over 200 folks gathered recently at the Hawaii Yacht Club to wish him a happy 85^th Birthday.

Our intrepid editor, Papa Al, played his guitar and sang a few of his own compositions. They tell me that I played my flute with the jazz band – but I was having such a good time that I don't really remember it. What a blow out! Hope I get a cool party like that when I turn 85! Happy Birthday Dave ;-). . . .

Did you hear? The Royal Hawaiian Hotel (1927) is closing in June for renovations. I sure hope they keep that unique patina of another, gentler time. I intend to visit often and soak it all in before June. If you ever dreamed of being a guest at this classic and historic property NOW is the time! . . .

Have you been watching Ken Burns' "The War" on PBS? On Sunday September 30^th our surviving heroes of the famed 442^nd & 100^th, the "Go for Broke" Japanese-American soldiers who fought in the toughest WWII European battles, often against superior German numbers, and who were openly considered expendable because of their race, were honored at Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific by Kauai boy General Eric Shinseki.

These aging men, in their youth, saved 230 Texans (the "lost" regiment") at the cost of 400 of their own; but they won more decorations than any unit of comparable size in the US Army. Every day we pass these neighbors on our streets and in the aisles at Longs, though everyday there are fewer and fewer of them. In my opinion they are the greatest of the greatest generation; and what these men did will never be forgotten. . .

Everyone's favorite living legend, Aunty Genoa Keawe is celebrating her 89^th birthday all this month (October 31 ^st). Festivities kicked off at this past Saturday's "Na Mele No Na Pua – Music for the Generations" at Embassy Suites at Beach Walk. Over half the audience were locals, and it turned into a real back yard luau as aunty was joined by her sons, grandchildren, friends, and spontaneous hula dancers from the audience.

Even co-host Brickwood's mom got up and sang, what a talented lady she is! Now we see where her popular son "gets it from!" It was an amazing experience! Just don't call Aunty's style "falsetto." She sings her full range. Proper Hawaiian Falsetto singing (which some say underlies today's distinctive country music lonesome "twang.") is the exclusive province of the men, and stems from a cultural time when Hawaiian women didn't sing in public – so men sang the high wahine parts (like Japanese Kabuki, or Shakespearean Theater).

There was good falsetto singing by New Jersey native Bill Wynn who won last year's Falsetto competition and told us that he's selling his house back east and moving "home" real soon. Of course Mz. Keawe sang her classic hit "Alika" (Alaska) with it's unbelievably long, long, LONG, held notes. Host Kimo Kahuano told us about when he was just starting out in music, and how "this lady sitting here always treated me, a kid, with true respect. I never forgot that, and if we can't treat our kids and each other with that kind of Aloha, we aint never going to get anywhere good."

This veteran performer and MC had tears in his eyes and his voice as he said this. You could have heard a lei drop to the floor. Then Aunty sang for us the first song she ever recorded (on 49^th State Records), "My Hawaiian Souvenirs: A photograph, a calabash, a paper lei – these are my Hawaiian souvenirs. . .

When I'm old and gray. . . " Now there wasn't a dry eye in the house; and no one wanted it to end, even Aunty Genoa at the curtain call of a two hour show; so we spontaneously sang "Hawaii Aloha" all holding hands, then "God Bless America," and finally "Happy Birthday." I noticed a white dove fluttering in place just above the party, just like the Holy Spirit in a stained glass window. At the end, Aunty shouted out happily: "I'm proud to be 89!" What a special day for us all! Just the sort of magic that can be found around most any corner. . . when you're walking in Waikiki. . . Aloha!

Story coming soon!

Hawaii man reaches

The top echelon of sailing

By Papa Al, 10.2.07

This is a story about something we… you, me, us… cannot picture. A high speed sailing boat going more than 20 miles per hour in the middle of the ocean, not over, but through the top of waves, causing huge masses of water to sweep over the boat, completely covering the man on deck every few seconds.

It’s more like swimming than sailing. For hours on end, days really.

Some of us might say, god, that’s really stupid.

Or whoa, unreal!

Unbelievable.

It shocked me just watching the video. (Click on the picture on top to download an 11M WMA file or see the website http://www.andrewlewissailing.com/ .)

And the really amazing thing is that one of the best and youngest competitors in this esoteric, king of sports, at the top of the heap, the furthest edge, is a Hawaii boy-man, 25 year old Andrew Lewis.

Lewis has always been a water person. He started sailing at age 11. He surfed, swam, played baseball and hockey. So far, just like many kids his age in Hawaii.

He started in Junior Sailing. At 14, he was asked to work with Olympic sailor John Myrdal. Myrdal told him he had talent, he should go to the Mainland and do some Mainland events. He had to earn his own money with a paper route to do it.

He began winning everything in sight.

He sailed El Toros, Lasers and the Melges 24. At the 2000 Olympic trials, he was the top junior sailor but he didn’t make the team. Undaunted, he moved up to international events.

By 2002, he was the top American in the World Laser Championships. A year later, he made the US Sailing team and the USA Laser World team. In 2004, he tied for third and missed the Olympics again.

In 2005, he tried out as one of 5,000 applicants for a spot in the Volvo Open Ocean Race, 30,000 miles around the world. It is the Everest of sailboat racing. He became one of two Americans on an international team on a nine-month long regatta.

Instead of a 14 foot Laser, he sailed on the 70 foot ABN AMRO TWO, owned by a Dutch bank, one of the largest in the world. Lewis was in the big time. In the big, sailors earn up to $1,000 a day. If you’re team leader for something like an America’s Cup boat, it could go up to $1 million in a year.

On one leg, Andy’s boat broke the world speed record for a sailing boat with a run of 563 miles in a day. That’s 23.5 miles per hour if you’re counting. The catamarans off Waikiki never go that fast. Not even for a minute. Not for a second downhill on a big wave.

Lewis believes part of his skills were gained windsurfing in Hawaii. Check out his website. The clip of him windsurfing is amazing.

“It gives you a feel for the water. Even on a big boat, you need the feel.”

Lewis’ boat was a big in the news in the sailing world after a crew member was swept overboard. The young crew hit a button on their Global Positioning System GPS, got the boat turned around and went back. Amazingly, they found the man. But he was dead. A while later, they rescued the crew of another Volvo boat which ran into trouble and sank.

This is in case you’re wondering if this sport is safe in this modern, high tech world of carbon fiber laminates and instant communication.

Next was the America’s Cup for the Swedish team in Spain, one year of work, then the 90 foot Rambler, owned by Connecticut businessman, George David, CEO of United Technologies. Rambler won the Nordbank Blue Race 2007 from Newport, Rhode Island to Hamburg, Germany.

A few days after that, Lewis flew back to Los Angeles to help out with the 45 foot Rancho Deluxe in the TransPac race to Honolulu.

When we interviewed him, he was just in from Italy and had to leave in a few days to France.

“It looks a lot more glamorous from the outside,” Andy says. “When you’re racing, it’s more like work. Of course, I love it, but you go hard all day practicing, then when you get home, you just want to relax.”

Of course, when you race, it could be days before you get a nice, cushy bed.

Still, Lewis recommends it for kids.

“Where else but sailing do they let a 10 year old kid drive? It’s a good way of bonding, it’s very physical, you learn to take care of yourself, and surfing down a wave in front of Diamond Head, you can’t beat it.”

I guess so.

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