08-23-2006, 07:36 PM
Hi Stef. I understand your problems with Pahoa High. Is it still home of "The Daggers"? I hope they changed that. They did have a good drama dept, so good that some of the Hilo kids were getting out of district transfers. But this wall years ago. I'm out of touch with the school scene there now. The commute to Hilo for St. Jo's is only 30 minutes (I drove every day from HPP to my job teaching at Waiakea), but maybe with more traffic now, it takes longer. Anyway, you mentioned Ashland schools. Ashland, Oregon? I've lived in Ashland, Ore. for about 2 years. I love it, but when I read what you said about being disillusioned by the hyprocrisy in Hawaii, I wanted to let you know that many of us who have moved to Ashland feel that same here. I notice it when I walk to the Food Co-op and am rushed by drivers in a hurry who come over the crosswalk as if to give you a little push out of the way - even when you have the green walking light...and of course they all have their equivalent of aloha bumper stickers - Peace, We're all One, etc. aaargh. But when I keep a good attitude, I notice that it's the few who do this, and that it is overall a gentle, accepting community. For me, it was the same challenge in Hawaii. I imagine it's true everywhere, but in places that are known for their aloha, peace and love like Hawaii and Ashland, the problems are less tolerable, more heart breaking. When are you moving back here? We'll be here about another 5 to 6 more months. I'm one of those who returns every few years to the mainland for various reasons, but I always have a heavy heart when the plane lands in Portland, and when I go back and get off the plane in Hilo, I want to kiss the ground. But if I were to stay on the mainland, it'd be Ashland.
Aloha,
Cindy
Aloha,
Cindy