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Glen, I gotta ask.... what exactly were you saying with the it was a living hell line?
Were you being facetious? Were you serious?
Not trying to be argumentative. Just wondering. I can envision how someone might view life in less consumer times as primitive. There are certainly attractions both ways.
Here's a short tale that might be on your trail if I'm reading your drift.
Sometime in about 1968 I asked an old ninety year old farmer what one of his fondest memories was of the "good old days". He smiled and said it was his first bite of canned food. Creamed corn. No more fresh stuff for him. He loved canned food. Don't have to hoe it, don't have to pick it, don't have to shuck it.
Might that be what you are talking about.....?
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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I keep a framed $100 dollar Confederate bill above my desk at work. The note has a picture of slaves working in the fields on it. I keep it there to remind of the past and to remind me of what humans are capable of doing to each other.
I keep it there to remind me of "The good old days"...who's good old days ??
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Check out
www.mele.com for a number of Gabby Pahinui CDs and, of course, lots of other Hawaiian artists.
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I don't want anyone to miss the point, if I had one. For me this was about listening to the oldest person born in Hawaii I have ever seen playing an instrument I love. As I watched him and heard him tell stories of the old days, I started imagining the Hawaii he knew -- a different one from the Hawaii we know. Easy, of course, to romanticize, but who among us would not want to go back to that time if we could, if only for a few moments? Listening to him was the next best thing.
My other point is that "progress" has its price.
And yes, I was being facetious when I speculated that it was a living hell. I am sure there were some who were leading difficult lives. It was a plantation culture after all. But I am quite sure that in other ways it was very close to Eden.
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Glen. Your story and writing touched me to the core. In my head it couldn't have been more wonderful if Morgan Freeman were narrating a fabulous heart-touching movie.
I felt sad for the things that have changed for Bill and glad that he shared his memories. How blessed you were to be able to see and hear him and how lucky are we to have such a prolific writer to pass this story along. Mahalo Nui Loa.
Carrie
http://www.carrierojo.etsy.com
http://www.vintageandvelvet.blogspot.com
"Freedom has a scent like the top of a newborn baby's head..." U2
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Glen, I know just how you felt. I had the honor of seeing Mr. Tapia three years ago at a small club in Berkeley when he was "only" 97. I was charmed!
After the show I spoke to him and asked him how I could become a great 'ukulele player like him. He took my hand and said "Buy Roy Sakuma's chord book and practice 40 minutes every day." Well, I haven't quite met that high standard, but he was SO inspiring!
Thanks for a beautiful post. When I sit on the rocks at Wai'opae looking out to sea my imagination is taken to that same place, wondering what things were like long ago.
Erlinda (who wishes she was in Puna right now!)
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Glen,
Thanks for the story. Do you know if he is still performing sometimes in April?
canhle
canh Le
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Canhle: Bill will be on Oahu on February 23 at 7pm at the Diamond Head Theatre in Honolulu. He will also be in Kauai shortly after that, but I don't know where or when. He's a character.
Damon: Awesome link! Thanks...just hearing this guy's voice again makes me laugh. Part of his charm is that he is such a joker. Living history.
