And so, visiting Hawaii with Deepak again this year, I gathered up the new memories for safekeeping while making sure to pay homage to the old.
Quotable underwhelmed TripAdvisor review for Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau (Place of Refuge): “I mean, the central temple was not good. Pretty average for a heiau.”
Deepak and I had a spirited debate about the stringency of the Hawaiian kapus. Here, from the Wikipedia page (trustworthy!) on Kalanikauikaʻalaneo Kai Keōpūolani-Ahu-i-Kekai-Makuahine-a-Kama-Kalani-Kau-i-Kealaneo, the highest ranking wife of Kamehameha I: “She possessed the kapu moe (prostrating taboo) which required commoners to fall to their face on the ground at her presence. When chanters mentioned her name, listeners removed their kapa (bark cloth) garments above the waist in deference. Even the touching of her shadow by commoners was punishable by death.”
Life goal: co-opt this Wikipedia excerpt for my own posthumous Wikipedia page.
Considering the marine biology.
I attempted to coin the pejorative “You reduced-price bread brain!” with limited success.
The Big Island – especially the town of Hilo – was my dad’s favorite spot.
From Hilo Farmers Market
Kona Starbucks coffee — an unadvertised island specialty!
In my Scrooge McDuck abundance fantasy, I dive headfirst into a ball pit full of Bubbies mochi ice cream.
When I’m there now, the tastes, signs and sights bring back faint echoes, much like Proust’s madeleines. We were in Oahu last year around the same time, so we could mark the passage of time. For example:
A farmers market moved.
This tiny kama’aina and I are 2 years into a trajectory that will surely leave us thick as thieves. As for Deepak and him, well … you be the judge.
2012: He needs sunglasses to shield his eyes from our bright future as pals!
2012: “I’m a baby-lebrity; get me out of here!”
2013: Sipping from his Frankencup till it runneth over.
2013: A reluctant air kiss?
And on this Hawaii trip, nary a drop of Kiss of Cream was drunk.
This is us last year, at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in front of their pink Xmas tree.
Back at Royal Hawaiian again this year (but this time in the restaurant, and pre-Xmas tree installment.) For those who asked: The dress I’m wearing is Sue Wong Nocturne, from Loehmanns.
