I had every intention of writing one final blog post while I was still in Hawaii, but I got carried away with… I don’t know… life, and find myself back in San Diego. However, to fulfill my goal of writing, I’ll write about my final days on island. Because all you have to do to be a writer is write, right? Write right, right? Or is it just write, write, write? The jet lag must have gotten to me. Pay no attention, please.
Life is funny in that you can plan all you want, but life will take its course and throw all your plans out the window as it sees fit. As you know from diligently reading my last blog post, I made sure to get back to Hilo one last time because I really enjoy the town and there were a few things I wanted to check out before I left (namely the surf, but other things too). Monica had planned a big camping trip for a bunch of families to a place down south, which I was excited about because I had heard the snorkeling and hiking were epic. I was bummed because it meant I was going to miss Hilo Pride, which was the same weekend, you can’t do all the fun things.
As fate (or life, as I like to call it) would have it, the kids got sick (again) two days before we were supposed to camp. Those poor kids have essentially been sick the entire month of June. While I felt terrible for the kids and their parents, and was disappointed not to camp one last time, I was stoked to get to Hilo Pride. I called a few friends who had given me shit for choosing camping with the heteros over partying with the gays to let them know the gods decided I should be at Pride and not camping, and made a plan of attack.
On Saturday morning I met up with my friend Liz, and she drove us to Hilo for the festivities. She was adamant that we leave early because the parade started at 10, and was over by 10:20, so if we were late, or blinked, we missed it. Although the parade was short, it was heartfelt and sweet. Hilo is a pretty small town, on a big little island, so I was pretty impressed by the turnout. After watching the parade (and yes, asking, um that was it??), we headed down to the festival at the shorefront. The festival was small, alcohol free, and geared towards kids, which I thought was absolutely delightful. The drag queens showed up in force, and it was fucking awesome to watch them collect dollar bills from little kids as they danced. There was also storytime with drag queens and other activities to make the LGBTQIA population feel right at home. It was particularly special to see young trans kids feel accepted as a part of the community.
After the festival was over, Liz and I met up with a friend of hers who invited us to stay the night at her place right by Honoli’i. I asked her if she had any surfboards I could borrow and she said she didn’t surf but she thought her landlord did. Sure enough I found a decent board under the house that I promised not to break (which isn’t always up to the surfer but I was confident), and told the girls I’d wake them up nice and early to surf. While I didn’t expect to get in one last session at Honoli’i on this trip, Sunday morning I dragged the girls out at 7 AM and got a super fun session, with even the old local uncles cheesing on how good the waves were. It was an unexpected bonus to a fun, sweet, inclusive weekend.
When I got back from Pride it really hit me that, ok, this is my last week (time is relevant) on island. I spent most of my days harvesting fruit, playing with the kids, seeing friends and surfing. I didn’t feel any sort of manic need to go back to Volcanoes or do any more tourist activities, just chilled and had quality time with the community that I’ve become a part of over the past four months.
That said, I had to drop my little beater car off in Waimea, so Monica agreed to meet me out there to pick me up and go for a hike. We were told of a cool hike off Mud Road, so we set out, and after walking 2 miles in the wrong direction, found the path to an epic waterfall. I had wanted to spend more time at waterfalls, so this was a great last week activity. It was also special to get some alone time with Monica because she has had a sick kid or two absolutely attached to her for the past month, and she reeeaaally needed a break. In my opinion, at least.
A month or so back, Monica decided she would fly to San Diego so the kids could spend time with the SD grandparents, but Ryan had to stay on island for work. I agreed to change my flight so I could help with the kids, because I’ve never flown with kids and didn’t know what I was getting myself into. The morning Monica, the kids and I were going to leave, both kids threw massive tantrums. I envisioned the tantrums lasting into the airport and on to the flight, with kicking, screaming, biting, crying and the whole nine yards, but fortunately, they were pretty damn good – although Monica and I both gave 100% of our energy to keeping them happy. And honestly, I have become so attached to these kids that I was happy for us all to head to the mainland together, because I need to wean myself off of them.
My time in Hawaii was so incredibly special. On our the hike to the waterfall, Monica asked me what my top 3 experiences were while I was in Hawaii. Of course I named like 15, but the top was spending time with and developing a bond with her kids. Watching Mahina take her first steps is a moment I will never forget. Bodhi Kai crawling up into my lap, putting his head on my shoulder and saying, “Auntie Corie, I love you,” is the most heart melting thing I have ever experienced. They won’t remember these moments but I will never forget them.
I’ve also been grateful for the solitude, the push I needed to go out and do things on my own. I am heading to Europe at the end of this month, and will be traveling alone for the most part, so this was kind of like flying the nest - lite. I’m grateful that my mind has gotten quieter. There is less noise, less anxiety, less distractions in my mind. Although my life’s path in terms of career or where I want to live hasn’t been laid out, I know which qualities I want to put energy toward, develop and nourish in myself, and what I’m looking for in others. Aloha.
