 Courtesy of Cloudia Charters Author of Aloha Where You Like To Go?
Aloha
& welcome back to the streets, beaches and back alleys of Waikiki! Walking
along today I'm intoxicated by skies that are sunny, cool trade
winds flowing, palm trees whispering together with the birds, and our beach
town's happy Summer throng of visitors (We don't think of YOU as tourists ;-)
Yes, crowds are less "crowdy" these days, so hotel deals abound (hint hint), but
this is anything but a ghost town. Though fewer folks seem to be
traveling at the moment, Kalakaua Avenue is still a dazzling bazzar of sights,
sounds, and the world's best people watching. Languages from all over the world
are spoken every day here in Waikiki - Did you know that in 1909 around 100
newspapers were published here in the islands, and that 30 of them were in
languages other than English like: Hawaiian, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese
and Filipino? No wonder Oahu is called: "The Gathering Place!"
Thursday evening saw a White House first: a
Hawaiian Luau on the lawn. My sincere admiration to Cha Thompson of Tihati
productions for keeping secret this engagement of her dancers and fire knife
masters until the official announcement. Finally letting the cat out of the bag,
she looked like she won't need a plane to fly to DC! The "Coconut wireless" has
it that planners wanted to use East Coast hula dancers, but that a Local Guy (In
Chief) nixed that idea in favor of bringing in the real, local performers. He
can handle 16 crises AND chew gum at the same time. Our President well
exemplifies the local Hawaii saying: "Cool head main thing." IMUA,
Barack!
My luau was
last night, as Favourite Husband and those California Cattermoles took me to
Chai's Island Bistro at the Aloha Tower Marketplace for a belated birthday
dinner. The Aloha Tower, a local icon, was the tallest thing in Honolulu till
after WWII. Once upon a time, she greeted the Matson Liners on "Boat Day" while
bands played, lei sellers displayed their fragrant wares, and kids (some of whom
I met as senior citizens) dove for coins tossed into Honolulu Harbor. The
tower, though still Harbor Control Headquarters, and the docking site for the
QEII and her sister cruise ships, is now home to a mixed-use "festival
marketplace" like San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. Chai is a well
liked Thai fellow who brought his palate to Honolulu some years ago and
launched a successful restaurant career. His eponymous bistro is known for great
food and as a place to hear world-class local talent. Wednesdays feature the
famous Cazimero
Brothers, holding court and playing Hawaiian
Classics as they do at their periodic Carnegie Hall concerts. But on Tuesdays
the room belongs to Robert Cazimero: songwriter, vocalist, and respected Kumu
Hula (hula master) who transfixes the room with his brilliant contemporary
interpretations of the great Hawaii Songbook. Alone at the piano, he
effortlessly conjures a magic atmosphere. Deftly his melodious voice moves from
one unique vocal interpretation to the next. "My Hawaiian Souvenirs" once
recorded by beloved auntie Genoa Keawe on the old 49th State record label, is
one such almost-forgotten Hapa
Haole masterpiece; and Robert breathes
charming, fresh life into it. A single Hula dancer joins him from time to time,
her expressive hands, feet, face, & body as supple and salutary as Robert's
voice. During breaks, the sound system plays Hawaiian classics - including the
evening's featured performer. The food? Oh yes! I had a Pu Pu (appetizer)
platter to myself (greedy girl) consisting of seared, crusted ahi (red tuna)
sashimi, a delicious, diminutive crab cake, and two towering prawns wearing
Summer-weight robes of spun tempura batter. "These prawns are
almost
Hifumi sized!" I thought, comparing them to my
favorite budget Japanese Restaurant, located (only-in-Hawaii style) at the
Chinese Cultural Center. They are famous for giant shrimp tempura (and honorably
stand up to the fleet of excellent Chinese eateries surrounding them). At the
end of the evening, Robert sang a low key "Happy Birthday" to me from behind the
ivories. An artist I admire so much! You know, Robert's exemplary Aloha is
very much at home everywhere, at classy Chai's or blue collar Hifumi. His
graciousness to the upscale patrons last night was EXACTLY the same as I've seen
him lavish on near destitute patrons at a favorite Hotel Street dive around the
corner from the Hawaii Theatre. The governor, an ancient, homeless drunk, or me:
Robert shares his simple, profound kindness with each one.
And THAT
is the very definition of Aloha. He permits each one of us to be Ali`i
(chiefly) for a charmed hour. The world-recognized artist treats each like a
peer, spreading his kingly feathered cloak over our shoulders too. That
wonderful evening will surely remain among
my cherished Hawaiian Souvenirs. Thanks for
strolling along-
Aloha!
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