HAWAII CALLS

45 years ago, this old geezer heard the call of Hawaii.  The spirit of Aloha brought me to Waikiki many times over the years and even had me living on Oahu for 7 years at one point in me charmed life.  Were I to tell of the wondrous things seen and heard over the years would take far more time than the space here would allow.  There has been much change, in the islands and this old geezer, we are both not what we once were but the magic of younger days still is there.

After some sad times, this old geezer will return to the Land of Aloha, to make it home for the rest of days.  I have found that place which I want to die.  Mind, it is hoped that my departure from the land of the living is quite a bit of time off.

This old geezer is not unique.  There are many who have heard the call of Hawaii.  In the past, this old geezer has met and listen to the tales told of what brought folks to visit Hawaii.

Many come on holiday.  How grand it is to get away from the cold.  Some come for a week, others for longer periods.  How long the holiday lasts is dependent on the cash in the pocketbook.

Then there are the snowbirds, folks lucky enough to decamp the cold and spend the winter in the sun.  They come from Alaska, Canada and most of the states on the mainland that experience harsh winters.  Some of the folks have loads of cash and can rent condos for their holiday, others get weekly deals in budget hotels and then there are the backpackers.  Mostly young folks who feels that it is still possible to live off the land.  Just pitch a tent and all is right in the world.  Some even have visions of sleeping on the beaches.

Some folks land in Hawaii with very little cash.   They have come to experience ALOHA and feel that all will sort self out.  Sadly, it is not possible to come to Hawaii with no coin in pocket, and while there is much Aloha, these are also mean times and there is not much cash to give to folks in need.  All very sad to see good folks fall on hard times and one wonders what happens to some of them.

There are folks who come to Hawaii in search of jobs.  No clue what runs through the minds of some who feel that Hawaii is filled with jobs just waiting to be filled.  The hard economic times on the mainland have hit here as well.  Most who have been here long time, tend to have more than one job to make ends meet.  It may be the Land of Aloha, but it is bloody dear to live here.

Truth be told, the folks who come to Hawaii to soak in the spirit of Aloha and have adventures in a most wondrous place are the ones who come away from a Hawaiian Holiday much the richer.  They return to regular life much refreshed by what has been experienced here and with the magic of Hawaii deeply implanted into them, they will return again and again to drink from the well of Aloha.

This old geezer is blessed to be able to wake up each day to another life experience in Hawaii.  To soak in the warmth of the people and marvel at all of nature's wonders.  Trust me, I know how fortunate I will be.

I hope that Hawaii continues to call to folks.  With any luck, folks will come to Hawaii without 'great expectations and see it for what it is.  Mind, that in and of itself is grand...