Posted on: Sunday, January 9, 2005

It's food that makes the party worthwhile

By Ka'ohua Lucas

"I'll give you a call later on today to find out what you need from Costco, OK?" my husband said, pouring himself a cup of coffee and shuffling toward the front door.

"Don't you want to take the grocery list with you?" I hollered after him as he strolled to the car.

"Nah, I'll get it later."

For the past five years, we have celebrated New Year's Eve at home. It's become a tradition. Neighborhood friends stop by as well as our 'ohana.

The kids have a chance to be legal pyromaniacs for the evening. We always have too much food and drink. But no one complains.

This year was no different from the rest, except my husband had to work.

The kids and I spent the day cleaning out the garage, setting up tables and chairs and cooking.

My husband offered to hit Costco on his way home to pick up items for the party. About 2 p.m., he telephoned.

"OK, what do you need?" he asked obviously on a mission.

I ticked off a list of a dozen items or so. I also emphasized that it was crucial he buy ice, celery, mushrooms, carrots, hummus and No. 4 coffee filters. These were things we desperately needed for our celebration.

"You got it, babe!" he said.

Two hours later, I heard the van chugging up the driveway.

"You made it!" I said as he entered the kitchen and began stacking food items on the counter.

"Yeah, but I wasn't able to get everything on the list," he said.

In fact, he missed all the crucial stuff.

His excuses? Costco was out of hummus. They didn't carry No. 4 coffee filters.

What about the celery?

"Oh yeah, I forgot."

I noticed that much of what he had bought was not on the original list.

There was a tray of sliced sashimi, a round of brie, beerwurst sausages and two loaves of garlic French bread.

"You were hungry or what?" I teased.

"Actually, he was concerned about not having enough food for the pa'ina (party) tonight," my 14-year-old said, coming to his dad's defense.

"Yes, dear," my husband went on to explain. "As you have pointed out to me so often, feasting is part of your culture. I didn't want our guests to frown upon our inhospitality as a result of the lack of food."

"Gotcha! What about the ice?" I asked. "I don't think our visitors will be too thrilled with unchilled beer."

"Oh yeah," he admitted. "I forgot that too! At least our guests will ring in the New Year with a happy heart and a full belly!"

I ola no ke kino i ka ma'ona o ka 'opu: The body enjoys health when the stomach is well-filled.

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