So I'm here for my 3rd day (not counting the half when I first got here) and I have paid more attention to little things. This is the first vacation I've had in four years that is by the ocean and I'm not in a tent. I can also strike up odd friendships in no time at all. It baffles my children. On our way in to Turtle Bay to the west toward Haleiwa we stopped at a fruit stand. (I am not at all concerned with eating out and discovered that I can live on the fresh fruit and prawns forever). This fruit stand is run by a very old woman. It was raining and we were soaked. She cut our pineapple and mango for us and told us how much harder it was for her right now because they aren't so busy. They lease land to grow the fruit. I also notice the other stands going up much later in the day and coming down much sooner. Inclement weather factors into their timing, they are younger people, who work in shifts and the stand is much nicer. I assured her we'd be back for more pineapple soon and refused change when we paid. She was crying as we pulled away. My kids noticed too. We have become accustomed to poverty and tourism in Mexico. We were shocked in Mexico at the modest and poor places people live in and how some of them are forced to make a living any way they can even small children and all day long. We were more shocked to see it here. This is America, paradise, not some poor country where the government profits from it's residents. Why isn't this elderly woman retired and taken care of after a lifetime of very hard labor? Also our maid is baffled that I use the towels and sheets conservatively and change sheets myself and take out the trash. I told her that it's the least we can do since she's cleaning when we leave and still at it when we return. She's so generous to us as is everyone here that she'll receive a hefty tip when we leave.
At the pool when my kids and I were on the water slide there was a changing of life guards. The woman who had been there was very cautious and strict but as soon as she left a young Hawaiian guy took her place. He said "Okay, NOW we're going to have fun." He was far less strict and let us ride on our tummies and probably would have let us go in a train, but we didn't want to get him in trouble. He asked me where I was from on one of my go arounds and I told him Utah. He said I just got back from serving a mission there (LDS. We are good at I.D.ing fellow members. Even rogue ones.) I asked where and was shocked to discover it was in the town I shop in every Tuesday. He asked where I live and he said he is going there in October to visit a friend who is going to the University in my town and also the University I attended. I was reading in a book we picked up on the way here about top 10 recommended things to do (lot's of lists for different things.) and top of one of the lists was the Polynesian Cultural Center. It's next to BYU Hawaii and it explained that the LDS church runs it as a place to experience the different Polynesian cultures and gives students from these different islands jobs and scholarship opportunities so they can attend BYU. I believe the only way you can attend if you are live on the mainland and possibly other countries is if you are accepted and only for a short time, like a semester. It's truly an opportunity for these people who want to go to college but can't really afford to go anywhere else and they can share their cultures with the visitors of Oahu. We went there last trip but chose to do other activities this time. The book also mention that there is a high concentration of members of the LDS church here.
Of course I also notice the genuine pride, among the islanders, of our President. We shopped at the Aloha Stadium swap meet today and ALMOST made it out without another shirt that I won't be allowed to wear around my family or inlaws, but this was too good to pass up. There are bumper stickers, pictures, and all KINDS of art and souvenirs showing their obvious pride in having had President Obama come from this state. There is a great deal of military here aside from Pearl Harbor and I notice a great deal of that in bumper stickers and suggested site seeing. They are proud to be Americans here. And proud to serve our country.
We haven't encountered anyone who lives here that is rude or unpleasant. Drivers are courteous and allow us to cut in line when we get in the wrong lane. The beauty of Hawaii isn't just in the ocean, the beaches, and scenery, it's in the people as well. In my opinion it explains a lot about our President. His patience, his friendly attitude, respect for the military, veterans, and families of those who have served or lost someone to war. I have a feeling that his service toward the community and his love of the older generation is something he learned not only from his mother and his grandparents but on this beautiful island as well.
I've also noticed THIS huge difference as well.. I think that the members of the LDS faith here have learned that Republican isn't synonymous moral conservative. I've noticed this in other states too, especially in Vegas. You can have liberal and accepting attitudes no matter your politics. No one has the market cornered on "christian" behavior (not that I understand the Christianity thing in politics anyway since we believe in freedom of religion. Plus christian christian and political christian is no way NEAR the same thing).
Anyway, just something I've noticed this time around. It's been a great time. Tomorrow is riding dolphin day!! YAY!!!
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