49 years ago-something momentous happened in these the United States. We admitted another state to our union. (it was also-remarkably, the same year I was born.
So, so long ago) On this date we had
Hawaii officially join as the 50
th state. (Did you know that Hawaii is now the most isolated population center on the face of the earth. Hawaii is 2,390 miles from California; 3,850 miles from Japan; 4,900 miles from China; and 5,280 miles from the Philippines.) How the heck did anyone find it in the first place???
I realize that to some folks, Hawaii has become a common place occurrence in their lives. (lucky, lucky them) To others it is home. Or home away from home. Hawaii is all sorts of things to all sorts of people. But everyone hopefully agrees that Hawaii is a wonderful place to be. How about these stats: The highest recorded temperature is 96' F (Honolulu Airport), but temperatures over 92' F generally occur only once or twice a year. The lowest temperature (under 3000 feet altitude) is 56' F. Temperatures under 60' F may occur but rarely more than once a year. Average daytime temp. (July) is 82' F. Average daytime temperature in January is 72' F. Heaven...almost heaven....
It actually was home for my mother and my brother and I when we were quite young. We lived there for several months while my dad was serving (duty) in Vietnam in 1966. I don't recall to much about that time....but we do have some fun pictures of us there. I do remember the volcano with the red hot lava flowing by. I remember looking down into the ocean from the safety of a pier, and watching an octopus slither along the sandy bottom of the sea, all the while changing color as it passed over rocks and shells and what have you. Fascinating!! I remember our little bungalow was on a
cul-
de-sac and that there were geckos on the ceilings sometimes. That's about the sum of my recollections of that time in my life on the glorious
iles of the sea.
Hawaii was also the home of my brother and his wife and young baby Joshua, for a while. The Navy took them there. I believe if they had full opportunity, they'd move back there once again.
I have been fortunate enough to have visited the resplendent islands a few more times since being a small child. My mom and dad took us again when we were much older. It was between semesters of my first year of college. We went to Maui this time. We went with another family and their teenagers.
I remember mostly being concerned with how I looked to the cute boys who were with us. I spent a great deal of time and effort working on my tan. I also know that it was Christmas time when we went, so my dad planned ahead. He smoked a whole turkey and somehow transported to the condo in Maui, so that we could have a homemade turkey dinner for Christmas!!
Then I remember
browning my bod some more. There was also hiking to lush Hana Falls. I remember
Lahaina and the little shops and eating yummy seafood. But what I remember most vividly is how I felt when it was time to leave. Waiting in the airport, with our beautiful, fragrant leis around our necks, and my perfectly tanned body, knowing that I personally, was headed back to the wicked cold of
Rexburg Idaho, to finish out my freshmen year. I was SAD, and feeling gloomy and in fact, even a little teary. And my last vivid recollection of this particular trip to Hawaii..... I could only console myself with the knowledge that at least I would be returning to that god-forsaken place with what I felt was going to be the very best tan in Idaho!!! At least I had that!! (and some really good memories to boot!!)
It was many years before I was able to return once again to these splendid islands. This time it was with my Builder and our family. (minus Joe who was in Japan) who by the way, will NEVER let us forget that we without him. I guess we 'owe him big time.'
Anyway-this trip was a blast too!!
We did Oahu and Maui.
We did the Polynesian Cultural Center.
We did the beaches.
We did some hiking.
We did some shopping and relaxing.
We did Pearl Harbor.
We did the Pineapple Farm and some more exploring.
We did a lot of nothing at all, just holding down the beach towels on the sand.
We snorkeled with sea turtles.
And I fulfilled a longtime dream of para-sailing!! WOW WOW WOW
We had a wonderful, marvelous, glorious time.
What's not to love about Hawaii????!!!!
(except for maybe the high food prices)
So here's to wishing Hawaii a very, very happy commemorative birthday. I'm so glad they joined on.
How lucky we are that we get to call her our own!!!!!!!
What I Know: I
will return to their shores someday again!! I must!! Maybe for Hawaii's 50
th???
Side bar-One of the best books I read as a young adult had to 
have been HAWAII by James Michener. Its a fascinating tale. Beginning at the creation of the islands, to its people and culture and colonization and such. Well worth the time. Be warned though- Its a lengthy tome.
Dan with cousin Ryan
