Rather than bore you with a book report-style tale of our comings and goings in Hawaii, I thought I would share with you a few highlights…
Lava Means DANGER!
During our stay on what is known as the 'Big Island,' J and I decided to go take a trip to see Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Although I am not what one might call a nature lover, I figured I would be pretty lame if I did not join J on a trip to see Kilauea, the world's most active volcano. As expected, it was rocky and barren. However, it was also incredibly beautiful. Frankly, I had never in my life seen so much open pace. It was pretty awe-inspiring.
Now, here is the kicker.
At my insistence, J and I went to go see an introductory film before our trek into the barren wilderness. (Also, I needed to pee and I knew the Visitor’s Center would have some nice, clean flush toilets. I so dainty!) Before the film began, we were shown a decidedly dramatic instructional video about what not to do on a volcano.
We heard a lot of the basics:
- Wear sneakers. (Rocky land. This is kind of a no brainer.)
- Drink lots of water. (Hawaii is very humid. You can dehydrate very easily.)
- Do not mess with the animals or vegetation. (OK. No stealing berries or feeding the geese. Got it.)
- Do not walk past barriers or stand on the edge of really tall cliffs. (When lava cools quickly it forms these plateaus called 'benches.' They are unstable and can disappear into the ocean at any time.)
Now, here is where it got kind of funny:
- Stay out of the steam vents. (Would someone really want to stick his/her head in the path of sulfurous smoke?)
- Do not go near the lava. (Yep. Seams reasonable.)
- Do not touch the lava. (I was not planning on shoving my hand into a spewing magma inferno, but thanks for the reminder.)
- Really. We are not messing around. DO NOT TOUCH THE LAVA!!! (OK, already! We got it.)
We were also treated to a bunch of pictures of people on stretchers and hikers showing off their bloody hands and skinned knees.
J and I walked out snickering quite a bit. The little safety film reminded me of those nasty Driver’s Education films you had to watch. (I think one was called something like 'Blood on the Highway.') So, I am thinking: I thought this lava stuff was no brainer?
I was wrong. Our friendly tour guide said they have several fatalities a year. The main cause? Stupid people getting in the path of the lava. Ugh.
Hawaiian Mint is not Minty
J and I learned in non-safety-oriented part of the presentation that more than 80% of Hawaii’s plants are found only in Hawaii. Also, some Hawaii is home to many species of plants and animals that have evolved because of the environment. For example, Hawaiian mint is not 'minty.' Apparently mint’s unique taste and smell is a defense mechanism. At the time it began growing in Hawaii, it didn’t need to defend itself against anything. As such, it lost its taste and scent. Neat, huh?
The Ocean Really is That Blue
I have seen pictures but never believed them. How can an ocean really be that blue? It most certainly is.
Starting in the deep ocean it begins as a deep shade of turquoise. Then, as the ocean makes its way to the beach, it gradually lightens into an incredible shade of ice blue.
Born and raised near the oh-so-polluted Atlantic ocean, I was amazed that I could stand in the water and actually see my feet.
Some Hawaiian Customs Are Not Fake
When I was a kid, my Aunt Phil and Uncle Joe took my mom and me on a trip to Disney World. At the time we stayed at the oh-so-swanky Polynesian Resort. There was lots of hula and plenty of leis. For most of my young life, I thought Hawaiians went around banging bongos and twirling fire batons. As I grew older and a tad more cynical, I came to appreciate that much of that stuff is Disney-ized. Hawaiian folks do not actually live that way. I realized that Hawaiian families did not eat spit-roasted pig every night. So, when I went to Hawaii, I figured most of the touristy stuff would be a bit of a sham.
However, there were a few things I was surprised to find out to be true:
- Hawaiian folks actually wear leis. Well, sometimes, anyway. During our stay, J and I made an excursion out of the super-touristy area and checked out a real Hawaiian supermarket. Apparently leis of all shapes and sizes were being marketed as a Mother’s Day gifts. I am guessing a lei functions like a corsage. (I'm hoping someone from Hawaii will set me straight on this.)
- The 'man skirt' is far more accepted. I saw quite a few guys wearing skirts (long, sarong-length ones). Color me surprised. They all looked pretty cute, too!
- Hawaiian folks really do say Aloha (Hello/Goodbye) and Mahalo (Thank You). Yeah, they say this stuff on the airplane and in the resorts to the tourists but the true test was whether real, non-tourist folks say these things to one another. Apparently, they do. However, it is a sad fact that they Hawaiian language is dying. It is estimated that only approximately 5,000 people who speak Hawaiian with any degree of proficiency.
Cabanas are the Best
J and I, both of Irish descent, are so pale you can almost see through us. Most early mornings were spent slathering on the sunscreen so we would not be burnt to a crisp. Partly because of this sun sensitivity and partly because we wanted to feel like the rich folk do, we decided to splurge on a poolside cabana rental.
Oh. My. God. It was absolute heaven!
For the price of $50 American dollars, we were offered fresh pineapple, ice cold water and chilled, herb-scented hand towels by a tan, strapping cabana boy. Also, we had the ability to open (or shut) our Velcro-edged curtains to keep out the sun’s nasty rays. Responsible sun care and pineapple? Sign me up!
Our cabana boy, a very sweet guy named Pete, kept stopping by and asking, 'Can I do anything else for you?' I, who was happy as a piggy in poo just reading my book and looking at the ocean, did not need a single thing. Every time he stopped by, I would just smile and thank him. Apparently people at other cabanas did take advantage of poor Pete and made him do a bunch of stuff (e.g. get lunch, fluff the towels). Grrrr.
I could go on and on, but I really need to scoot. It has been a terribly long day. I am eager to go home, watch Buffy and beg J to bring me some fresh pineapple! Aloha.
Comments