Moving to Puna stories

[billeger]

Much to the consternation of a few, this is a state and the notion of any person being a 'haole' is very strange. What that means, in the Hawaiian meaning, is "no breath." Clearly you have breath though it may not have come your way as it did, the 'breath of life,' with our indigenous Hawaiian friends. Don't let that bother you. You are, however, a newcomer. Keep the word 'insular' in mind. It refers to the quality of isolation -- and sometimes a lack of sophistication -- that accompanies folks who are raised on islands. How could they know about life 'out there?'

Don't let that bother you, either. You will be greeted with the spirit -- the aloha -- that you use to greet the folks you meet. I'm an old man. As a group, in my considered view, Hawaiians are the finest people I have ever had the privilege to know. A key to their friendship is to acknowledge them, to see them, to enjoy them as they are . . . not necessarily as you think they should be. Over time their island way will make enormous good sense.

Don't go to parties empty handed. Take something.

Keep a smile on your face. Love the children. Love the land and the ocean. Grow a garden.

You'll be fine.

Those who would trade security for freedom soon have neither.

Edited by - billeger on 07/17/2003 00:50:53

Edited by - billeger on 07/17/2003 00:52:09