HAWAII STORIES
“Midsummer Musingz”
It Was the Incomparable Nat King Cole… who warbled (back in the day)—
“Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer…”.
What Else Could Explain These… “meandering memories”—
- John “Keoni” Mathews (68, recently retired)
“Yes, this is what retirement is all about—relaxing here under the shade of this coconut tree in Waikiki Beach Park, and feeling that embracing, tropical, Mauka (‘from the mountains’) Trade Wind. And, simply daydreaming; and remembering…”.
“It was back in the early 1970s (July, I think), and I had just left Camp Roberts, CA, destined for Vietnam and my first tour of duty there. I was home on leave and just had a swim right over there at Kaimana Beach, and was sitting near this very spot, contemplating my life-to-be in the U.S. Army— ME, a young, eager Second Lieutenant ready to ‘serve my Country’—whereverz!!”
“And, guess what I’m daydreaming about right now?? Would you believe, I’m imagining drinking that awfully bland Vietnamese beer, “33”,(or in the language), – “Ba ‘mi Ba”. Why?? Probably because I just had some Vietnamese PHO at a restaurant near here, and guess what?? They actually had the ‘reincarnated version’ – “33” Export. And YES!! I just had to drink a bottle (or was it two/three??)”
“You got it!!” … Hazy Memories… Crazy Summer Daze!!
Tom “Nolo” Novack (73, development consultant)
“OK, before we go any further… yes, I am a ‘Lobbyist’ here in Hawaii. However, I gained my experience at the school of hard-knocks while studying in San Francisco. By that I mean I was trained by The Jesuits at University of San Francisco Law School. My gosh—that seems like ages ago. And, oh, people call me ‘Nolo’—you know, as in that legal phrase, ‘Nolo Contendere’ (heh-heh, no-contest!!).”
“These tropical summers here at home make me fantasize over my past life at USF – ANDMarket Street, Maiden Lane, Fisherman’s Wharf, and, of course, Golden Gate Park during those lazy, sunny Dayz of September and October (and always with blanket and bottle of red California wine in hand) … Definitely unforgettable reverie!!! Top of my list of ‘best musingz’ of San Francisco?? It always is that fun ‘5 McAllister’ afternoon bus ride from USF campus, then past Lone Mountain Women’s College, and Mercy High School, and finally through Filmore, and right to the Powell Street Cable Car Turnaround…”.
“California Dreaming??” … Hazy Memoriez are Made of Theze!!
Katheryn “Kimi” Pang (66, real property rental agent)
“Crazy Lazy Daze… maybe for you, but for me?? Heck, I’m showing rental properties all week long; lot of visitors visiting the islands here during the Summer; and at the same time, they start looking for short-term rentals for the November and December ‘Giant Surf Season’ on the North Shore of Oahu – you know Haleiwa, Pipeline, Waimea Bay & Sharks Cove. During those months, most of the time… ‘big waves average about 6-12 feet; and the really big ones reach 30-50’!!”
“Since you ask… right now I’m dreaming about this weekend, Saturday and Sunday. I’m taking some time-off from this real-estate madness, and plan to just relax and chill and enjoy the solitude and beautiful sand-and-surf at our Family Retreat Beachfront Home right there on Alii Beach in ‘country-Haleiwa’…”.
“You’re absolutely correct!!” … Hazy Dreaming. So Real. So, Mine!!
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STORY SUBMITTED BY:
E. Tiwanak
IMAGES PROVIDED BY:
Puanani/Internet
Heroes 5-0 