When I was 6, my dad would take me every weekend to go squiding by the Old Sugar Mill in Kahaluu. Riding over and back on the Old Pali Hwy, especially at night was harrowing in our 1941 Plymouth.
We'd get out there in the reef with our squid boxes and I would learn to spot them in the reef. When my dad got one, he'd pull it off the reef, bite the eye off, turn the head pouch inside out, and slap it on our backs. When our backs were full, we had what we needed, a lot of times it was for a friends luau or party. Then the next weekend, we'd go to Makaha point to pick limu kohu, which was a prime area. We'd sit on the beach just as the sun rises and watch the waves. My dad would say count the amount of waves in a set, and remember it.
On the way out, we'd wait until the last wave of a set passes before moving out to the point. The further out we got, we'd find a protruding rocks to hang on to as the waves break over us. The sea and the aina provided for us, and I learned to only take what I need, no more.
As I got older, I'd pick limu and sell at the China town market downtown for whatever I could get. Kohu got me the best price, as much as $50 for a 12 oz jar. When we lived in Ewa Beach, it provided an abundance of lobster about 1/4 mile off shore from our house. Lots of papio, kala, ennenu close to shore.
I miss those carefree days. At 79, I still remember them like yesterday.
About Author
Born & raised in Honolulu in 1945. No brothers or sisters. Tutu said God brode the mold when I was born. Went to Kaloaloa Elem, then Kalakaua Intermedate, then Farrington, class of 63. Mom worked at the cannery and was also a professional musician on weekends. Dad worked constrution, and noted for his workmanship with a grater and dozer. Worked as tray boy at 14 every summer. Made brown cap during my 3rd summer. Joined the Army in 1964, now living in Ohio.
