You do not realize how big the world is when you grow up on an island and can drive around the entire thing in three hours and that’s considered a road trip. It’s weird when you meet people who have never seen the ocean because you cannot fathom never seeing something you have been surrounded by your entire life. It’s a different reality. It’s going to the mainland and wondering why you cannot get white rice with your steak at big chain restaurants, why you cannot get simian (similar to ramen) at McDonald’s, and why people look at you strangely when you ask for shoyu (soy sauce). It’s almost like you are speaking a different language. In a way, you are. Pidgin is so natural to you, so normal, you do not realize others have no idea what you’re saying until you have already explained yourself 20 times. Why people do not take their shoes off before entering a home? Why does no one know what you mean when you are talking about rub bah slippahs because they call them flip-flops? That was all coming to an end though, I was going back home.
When we landed on the stuffy plane, I couldn’t see much land, as so many people were standing and stretching. I could feel the hot stuffy heat though and knew I was home. I was so nervous and excited. I wanted to feel the bright dazzling sunlight hit my face. I hadn’t been home for over 8 years, and I wanted to yell that to everyone. Maybe that would get me off the plane quicker. I knew I had overpacked, I was holding my backpack in my hand and was trying to slip on sunglasses with the other. It wasn’t working out very well. After what felt like an hour over first class, finally getting off the plane, and eventually, row by row exiting, I finally was making my way to the narrow front end of the plane. I flip-flopped down the airspace.
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Overhead I heard the screaming of gulls and the chatter of the small fluffy sparrows. I couldn’t believe it! I was actually in Hawaii. I was home. The Hawaiian island sun beat down on my skin, warming and taking over my arms with radiance. I couldn’t help myself, I knew I had friends waiting on me. I could smell a flowery smell and saw a small stand that was completely covered in different colors of garland. All meaning something different. I walked up to the stand and picked up a white and pink one that smelled sweet and I could practically taste the flower, the smell was so fresh and clean. I plunged my face into the fresh petals and closed my eyes. I was trying to remember exactly where I smelled this flower before. The smell was so intoxicating, I showed no willpower. I remembered the smell. This particular flower was called tuberose, and the pink flowers were orchids. I couldn’t part with this intoxicating flower, so I bought the beautiful tuberose-orchid garland. The little old Hawaiian lady told me it was called a lei, which is Hawaiian for garland. I already knew, but I politely said, “Oh, how beautiful”. I knew she thought I was a tourist. I had gotten that a lot.
After pushing my way through the crowds of eager tourists, I finally made it to my luggage. After pulling my blue suitcase off the conveyer belt, I made my way to the doors where I was picked up by some of my friends living there whom I had kept in touch with over the years while I was on the mainland. As we started driving out of the airport and into the city, I was watching the nature of the island slowly disappear. It had changed so much. The greenery, the beautiful scenery. Everything was dug up, dirtied, and high-rise condos and businesses were replaced where trees once stood. I was in awe. I thought I had just landed in New York City. Did I take the wrong flight? Seeing old neighborhoods, I remembered shops and housing memories, replaced with new (non)affordable housing built taller than anyone thought, casting shadows on what was left behind. Everything I remembered and knew had changed with development and disappeared. My friends had warned me, but I didn’t think It was of that magnitude. We kept driving, and slowly the land I remembered started to emerge. Soon all the trees had bright beautiful flowers covering each branch. Some of the trees were covered with mangos, papayas, and star fruit. I couldn’t believe my eyes, Hawaii was just so gorgeous and vibrant. Exactly how I remembered it. Everywhere I looked, brilliant rich hues, every color of the rainbow leaped to my eyes.
My friends asked me what I wanted to do when they already knew the answer. I just wanted to see the beach, to touch my toes in the sand. I knew after driving for about ten minutes where we were going. We had passed already four beach spots. We were going somewhere special, and my heart started to race. We slowed down and around the corner was the sparkling sea. It took my breath away. We were on a cliff edge made of sharp, black lava rock. I could see a few people conquering fears and jumping off the edge. I had been there before, I knew the adrenaline they felt. The ocean was beautifully crashing beneath the sunlight that was sparking on the rippling waves. The high waves were different here, they were so inviting. It was a rich, deep blue in some spots, and in others, it was a bright, aquamarine green. I saw one of my favorite mountains to hike, Koko. The locals would call it the stairway to heaven, 3,922 steps up and you will feel like you did make it to heaven. It was one of the most challenging and liberating hikes I had ever done. The breathtaking views were indescribable. It brought me to tears to know I lived on such beautiful land.
As the blue waves crashed against the black lava rock we were driving by, the water thrust into the air, spraying a rainbow of mist everywhere. We drove down to a beach called Sandy’s, which I would go to as a child growing up. We were here, I leaped out of the car and ran down to the crystal clear deep blue water. The sand was warm and soft as I touched it will my bare toes. The beach was glistening and clean, just as I had remembered it. I could see the coral reef lurking in the water. I quickly took off my over clothes, because I was wearing a swimsuit under. A big breeze was coming and I braced myself. I was taking it all in while the sun began to set on my bare white shoulders. The islands were welcoming me back home. In a sense, I knew they missed me too. I suddenly got the urge to jump in the cool water. I could see the waves gently crashing along the shore and inviting me to join.
With that invite, I decided to plunge into the clear salt water. The water was cool, warm, and refreshing. I swam deeper and deeper into the aqua-colored water and touched the soft sand on the bottom. I felt it slide through my hand while it danced in the water. I could see the sunlight beaming through the water. Unable to swim any further without oxygen, I swam to the top. I plunged out of the water taking in the beautiful air, leaned back, and stared at the beautiful skyline, and ancient mountains. I could feel the salt water running off my face.
I thought to myself, I will never forget this moment, this place, or the experiences I felt while being here. The islands made me into the woman I am now. Coming home made all of those memories come crashing back, just like the waves were on the old black lava rock cliff. This was home, no matter what anyone said to me. No matter how many times I was called a 'Hawaiian Haole', just because of my color. Hawaii changed me forever and I will never stop remembering it.
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