FAMILY MATTERS
O'ahu family scores with hookup on Friendly Island

By Ka'ohua Lucas

There's nothing like going somewhere and everybody knows you.

That's how it is on Moloka'i.

Our family decided to spend a week on the island to get away from it all. We connected with friends who live on homestead land in Kalama'ula.

I knew that my friend Penny was heavily involved in her community. She works for two nonprofit organizations, sits on several advisory boards and serves as a docent for an environmental organization. But I didn't realize how influential she was until the day we contacted a bike shop.

Our 10-year-old had pleaded with us to rent a bike.

"The last time I rode a bike was 15 years ago," I said. "I can't imagine hopping on one now."

But much to my son's delight, Dad searched the phone book for rental listings and came across a phone number and contacted the bike shop.

My husband mentioned that we were planning to go papio fishing with our friends and wouldn't return until later that afternoon.

"No worries," said Phil. "I'll drop the bikes off at your condo. By the way, who are your friends?"

"Penny and Dave," my husband replied.

"Oh yeah, I know Penny and Dave," Phil said. "You want me to drop the bikes off at their house?"

Instead we made arrangements to have the bikes delivered to the condo later that afternoon. When we returned from fishing, my 10-year-old ran out to the bike rack to search for the bicycles.

There were none.

"Mommy, where is Phil?"

"He'll be here shortly," I assured him.

We went outside and began grilling the papio.

But my youngest decided to position himself near the front door so that he wouldn't miss Phil. I urged him to join us, but he said he wouldn't leave the condo until Phil arrived.

Upon my return to the room, there was my 10-year-old still in his chair awaiting Phil's arrival.

"Come on, let's go outside," I suggested. "We can write Phil a note and let him know that we are at the barbecue area."

"No, Mom," my 10-year-old said. "I called the shop, and Mike said Phil will be here in a few minutes. I'm going to wait."

I shrugged and returned to my grilling. Some 45 minutes passed, and still no Phil.

"Where's Phil?" my 10-year-old asked. "He's supposed to be here already."

"Don't worry, sweetheart," I said. "Phil is on his way. He probably got tied up somewhere."

I was finally able to peel my son away from his chair to eat dinner. While washing the dishes, we heard a knock at the door.

"It's Phil!" my son hollered.

Phil apologized for being late.

He delivered four bikes, charged us for three, allowed us to keep the bike for one extra day (free of charge) and on top of that, gave us a discount.

My husband inquired about the use of a bike rack, and Phil said he would drop one off the next morning.

Phil called us in the morning and apologized that he did not have an available bike rack.

"My wife needed it, but you can use my truck," he said. "I'll give you directions to my house and you'll find the keys in the ignition. Just use my truck."

My husband thanked Phil but declined the offer.

"Eh, good thing we know Penny folks," I said.

"Yeah, Moloka'i mo' bettah," he said.

Write to Ka'ohua Lucas at Family Matters, 'Ohana section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com; or fax 525-8055.