Came to Honolulu to attend the AA convention, mostly I looked at TV and the hotel outside my window. Was sick. Finally got better and went to the International Hula festival with Bev, Sharlene was sick, so, I gave the ticket to a man who was in line to buy one. Pass it on. The Japanese won the contest. I have seen Japanese hula before and it was very stilted, well, that has changed. They won, and should have, hands down. Maybe 20 ladies on stage, wearing long, plain red dresses with long white shell lei. The final move was all of them on the knees, bending back ward, arms outstretched and slowly came up in the most synchronised move ever. It was mesmerizing and totally fascinating. Well done.
APEC was on as well. My hotel was across the street from the Hale Koa where Pres. Obama was staying and the street outside my room was the main thoroughfare for all he other heads of state. One had to walk, could not get the bus or drive, streets closed, parks, so many police.
Kauai. Met Gina and John for the ceremony I promised Gracie on her deathbed. I went to the Thanksgiving AA day and I asked the greeter if she knew any Hawaiian prayer for a memorial ceremony, she told me to ask the big man at her table, he was her boyfriend and a holy man. He told us what to do and said that he would do the ceremony. A real gift. We went to the beach, he plunged into the water to cleanse himself, then changed into his sarong, shell lei, hair flying. He took our leis, went to the shore, was chanting and when he was ready he took the flowers into the sea and let them go. It was so beautiful, more than I could have ever done and would have made Gracie so proud. It sparked Gina to look into her heritage more. She had never been to Hawaii, now she know why it is so special. Then we had a feast of local food and his friend came to play music and laugh. What a special day.
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