My hanabuddah story has kept me focused and determined for the past 36 years. Harvesting opihi and seaweed, dancing around the May pole, making leis, laughing, ono food and a lot of love are all part of my collective childhood memory ! I still hear the echo of the cry "Manapua" in the streets. Why I even knew how to work the shave ice machine by the time I was 5 years old! The Market place was an adventure where you could see huge fish being brought in by big beautiful Hawaiian fishermen. (as a child of course I did not realize how dangerous it could be down there!)
Then my mother sent me on a vacation to the mainland, only when I arrived in California - I found out it was not a vacation, but something called - adoption.
Terrified, and ripped away from my home I only had my memories to comfort me. The mainland was a strange land for me and the new family was even odder! My first return trip to the Islands after having been given up for adoption was in 1974.
I was the 1974 Miss Nisei Week Queen from Los Angeles, and I attended the Cherry Blossom Festival. (I was the first Hapa Queen in the history of the festival - and it rocked the boat!) I was heartbroken because my adopted parents forbade me from mentioning my Hawaiian heritage or that I was adopted.
There had been both good and bad feelings about my mixed heritage from the Japanese American community and my parents did not want to cause any more undue attention to it. I had just turned 18 years old and was very young.
My hanabuddah memories were my life-line to my heritage. I would wrap those memories around me like warm blanket on a cold night, and the memories - like the healing waters of Hawaii - would soothe my aching homesick heart. Now I am on the verge of seeing my dreams come to pass. I will be moving home soon, within a few months in fact. As a gift, my husband recently bought 10 acres for me on Big Island. Since we married, his quest has been to return me to my homeland. We will soon be seeing our dreams come true! (and hey - he cooks too!)
It has been a life long journey - returning home. I feel rather beat up ! Kind of like a salmon I suppose ! But at least I'm coming...... HOME.....AT LAST !!
About Author
Kika grew up in Alewa Heights and went to Mai Mai Elementary on Oahu. Her husband, George's first visit to Hawaii was in 1962 where he was stationed at Pearl Harbor at 18 years of age. He fell in love with our Islands and claimed it in his heart and he has been trying to get back ever since! George and Kika Nixon are musicians and artists living in the Los Angeles area with their 2 cats (their cat Moon definitely speaks pidgin'!), a talking parrot and a friend's dog - who came to "visit" about 8 months ago and decided not to leave! George is an accomplished Blues-Jazz vocalist/musician. He's also a gourmet cook.. Kika sang gospel for many years and is now branching out into Blues and World music. She also sculpts Porcelain, paints, and is writing children's stories. Four years ago, George brought Kika back home so they could be married on native soil. They recently helped 2 of their 4 children move to Hawaii, their son is on the Big Island and their daughter and grandson have settled on Maui. With the kids situated, they can concentrate on getting themselves home to their 10 acres in Opihikao and begin building their dream! Kika is living proof that no matter where we are - Hawaii lives on in our hearts and Her manna CAN bring you home ... even after 37 years!
