Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 9, 1 September 2011 — My favorite and special places. What's yours? [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

My favorite and special places. What's yours?

Mark Twain described Hawai'i as "the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any oeean." He knew

beauty when he saw it. He had been to many places, thus had mueh to compare Hawai'i to, and he chose Hawai'i as "the loveliest." Eaeh of our islands has its special beauty. For me, on Kaua'i, the drive through Hanalei after a rain is simply stunning - seeing the water droplets on the taro plants glistening in the sun and smelling the fraarance of the earth aushina

from beneath my feet. Whenever I'm on Kaua'i, I think of Reverend Abe Williams from Kapa'a, my high school friend Gileada Kaohelauli'i from Ni'ihau, and wonder how things are with them. On O ' ahu , when you exit the Likelike or Pali tunnels on the Windward side of the Ko'olau mountains, the scene is so awesomely spectacular, particularly when water is cascading down those mystical and magical cliffs. The view as you make the descent "mai uka a i kai" is so breathtaking and powerfully spiritual; looking from Waimānalo to Mōkapu to Kailua, the sand so white and water so blue. I think of Kamehameha School days sometimes when I'm out that way because for P.E. we went to Bay View Golf Course to shag balls. On Moloka'i, standing on the edge of Kalaupapa Lookout at Pālā'au State Park, gazing upon the dramatic coastline helow takes you back in time, thinking about St. Damien and the many who were exiled to Kalawao for Ma'i Pākē (leprosy). We had an Unele Charles from Waimea who was sent there. And recently we learned our Grandpa William on our mom's side is buried there. She never ever mentioned this segment of our past. On Lāna'i, the Kawa coastline is so steeped in history. I love to hear Kepā Maly talk about his homeland.

His deep and abiding love for Lāna'i pours out of him in bushels. When he speaks, you listen and learn mueh. We had an aunty by marriage from Lāna'i whom we never

had the pleasure of knowing. She was a Cockett, died giving birth to our second oldest surviving Lindsey first cousin. On Maui, watching the sun rise at Haleakalā is a "must see." No need to take pictures to memorialize the experience. It's a sight that will remain etched in your mind's eye forever. I "flashback" now and then to

a conference I attended at Seabury Hall in 1967. On the agenda was waiting for ka lā, the sun, to make his grand entrance in the eastern sky. He did not disappoint us that cold morning 44 years ago. Kaho'olawe, I've never set foot there but tlown by in an airplane to and from Moku O Keawe to O'ahu about 4,000 times. Hawai'i Island is my one hānau (birthplace); 500,000 years old geologically with mueh to see and do for the adventurous and footloose; the valleys along the windward coast - Pololū, Honokāne, Honokāne Iki, Waimanu and Waipi'o; falls - Akaka in Honomū and Rainbow in Hilo; the Horseshoe Gulches between Honoka'a and Hilo - Ka'awali'i, Laupāhoehoe and Maulua; the scenic drive from Pepe'ekeo to Pāpa'ikou and the eollapsed arch at Onomea; the Great Mountains - Mauna Kea (world's highest) andMauna Loa (world's largest); Lili'uokalani Gardens in Hilo and the surf at Honoli'i; the beaches of Puna; Tūtū Pele's domain at Kīlauea and the eruption at Pu'u 'Ō'ō (27th year); the untouched lands of Ka'ū; Kona Kai 'Ōpua - Kona known for deep-sea fishing, great coffee and the makani (wind) of Kohala. Waimea is my home, 'o Waimea ku'u home. I have my favorite and special places. What's yours? ■

Rūbert K. Lindsey, Jr. TrustEE, Hawai'i