By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist

Sometimes, in the middle of the most ordinary day, you get a glimpse of the extraordinary.

Marie Winner just went in to get her hair cut. She came out of the salon with renewed faith in human kindness.

The story begins as Winner was waiting for her turn in the chair. She overheard a woman talking to one of the stylists.

"She was telling him about her hair falling out and he was listening very intently and very patiently," Winner wrote. "Then I heard that terrible word: chemotherapy."

Winner watched as the hairdresser found a wig the same color as the woman's hair.

"He placed it very gently on her head and began trimming it to a style that was suitable for her face. The woman began to brighten up.

"While he was working he was suggesting to her how her chemo treatment and resulting hair loss might progress. ... He spoke freely with her as if he had known her for years."

Winner said that when the woman asked how much all this would cost, the hairstylist told her that, ordinarily, the wig sells for $85 plus the cost of styling but, for her, he would charge $15, including any styling she might need in the future.

"At this point the woman was crying," wrote Winner, "and so was I."

Hanalei Henry Ramirez, owner of Salon (808) in Honolulu, couldn't quite recall that particular exchange. That's because his salon does this for four or five people a week.

"It's phenomenal when they walk out," says Ramirez. "They have tears in their eyes and they have hair again. I get so many letters and cards saying thank you, I've been reborn, things like that. And I save every letter."

Salon (808) has quietly provided this service for the past four years or so. Ramirez isn't quite sure how the word got around to chemo patients that for $15 they can get a wig, a style and a good dose of compassion at his salon. He thinks maybe doctors tell their patients about him.

Ramirez talks about the $15 as if he feels bad for even charging. "It's to cover the cost of shipping," he says, almost apologizing. "If we don't ask for that, we couldn't keep doing this for very long."

There's one specific wig the salon offers, a shorter style that they trim to match the individual wearer.

"My theory is I start you with a short wig. This way, when you start seeing hair, you can take off the wig and feel comfortable because you already have short hair. ... I try to convince them not to get a bob or a layered look. It's too heavy, the upkeep is costly. ... Sometimes it's a shock at first with the short hair, but they end up liking it."

As for Winner, she was compelled to tell Ramirez how that visit warmed her heart. "He told me that we all have to be thankful for what we have in this life and this was his way of giving back."

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.