Posted on: Sunday, March 20, 2005
FAMILY MATTERS
Navigating life requires more than directions
By Ka'Ohua Lucas
My cellular played a Latin tune signaling an incoming call.
I pressed the green "send" button to retrieve it.
"Mom?"
Her voice was on the other end.
It was my 21-year-old soon-to-be college graduate.
"Hey, babe," I scooted out of the University of Hawai'i gym door to minimize the screeching noise of athletic shoes on the slick floor surface. "What are you up to?"
"I can't find it," she said, frustration mounting in her voice.
"What is it that you can't find?" I asked, not real clear as to the purpose of the call.
"The house you wanted me to look at," she said. "I think I'm going to go back to my apartment."
About a month ago, we decided that it would probably be in our best interest to rent a house for our daughter's graduation.
We could have a party, invite a whole bunch of people and celebrate, Hawaiian style.
I tried calling around to see if any restaurants could accommodate a small group of 40.
But it was clear to me that the eateries in this suburban area were more interested in serving us quickly and sending us on our way.
"Graduation night is the busiest time of year for us," one of the event managers said. "We really do not have enough room to accommodate such a large party."
Fortunately, I was able to locate a vacation rental home where we could celebrate our daughter's graduation, Island-style.
I had made arrangements for her to meet the owner of the home. She was to give it the once-over and report back to me.
The problem was that she was lost.
"Look, I don't want you to give up," I said. "I'll put a call in to Dad to see if he can help you find the place."
My daughter is a true Island girl. Driving directions are simple: mauka, makai, diamondhead or 'ewa.
How could this local girl find her way to the Nisqually Bay area?
"I'll go online and walk her through it," my husband said, booting up our home computer.
"How the heck can you try and find a place without a map?" I heard him ask her.
"You are about 15 minutes away from the house," he continued. "You're up in the mountains. Now, you have to go makai." The conversation rambled on for 15 minutes.
"No, not right," he screeched. "Left, honey girl, left!"
My husband artfully guided her to her final destination. "You know what I'm going to buy you for graduation?" he asked. "A Global Positioning System. You need it!"
Early Hawaiians had a wise saying for a person who goes in circles and gets nowhere. Hele po'ala i ka anu o Waimea.
Going in a circle in the cold of Waimea. Waimea is a cold place.
When it's foggy, it's easy for someone who is unfamiliar with the area to become lost.
Reach Ka'Ohua Lucas at Family Matters, 'Ohana section, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; or at ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com.
