I was the oldest of four children who grew up in Kilauea, a small sugar plantation town on the North east side of Kauai. Kilauea has grown since and its townsfolks have come and gone, but my memories are as clear as the crystal shores of Kahiliwai Beach.
My parents were immigrants from the Philippines. My dad was 56 when he married my mom in an arranged marriage who was 29 in 1964. I suppose that was the norm in the Filipino culture. I was born nearly a year later. Three more children followed, my two brothers and my sister. Dad, of course, worked in the plantation. My mom was a housewife. Yet as hard as my father worked and with our limited resources, he still found the time to build us the neatest playroom. He put together toys and gadgets made of material he could gather around the house. Sure, most of the toys may have not passed todays standard safety test, but who cared back then? We only knew to use our imagination and just have fun.
Other times he would take us riding around the north shore in his green army jeep. I recall my mother always yelling at him to zip up the vinyl doors so we would not fall out! The best time spent with my father, however, was when he took us fishing. If he was not so forgetful now, I bet he would be at his favorite spot almost every day setting his traps for some crab or dropping his lines for oopu and tilapia.
This brings to mind a funny incident that occurred when I was in the 3rd grade returning from school one afternoon. I got home rather hungry and headed straight for the kitchen for a snack. My sister was napping in her crib and my mom was doing the wash in the bath house. My brothers were next door watching a show on our neighbors brand new TV set. That was a privilege and luxury in those days.
After telling my mom that I had arrived, I began heading over to our neighbors house to catch the afternoon showing of Checkers & Pogo. I suddenly noticed a white, nylon string tied around a stick imbedded in the dirt road in front of our house. I followed it with my eyes and as far as I could tell, it continued on down the dirt road.
I was curious. I had to find out what was at the end of the string. Back in those days, it was a very safe neighborhood. Children would play in the streets and their parents would not have to worry about anyone abducting them. Deciding that it would be an adventure to unravel this mystery, I began to follow the string. It led me along the dirt road for a 100-yards until it went around a bend. I peered around the hedge at the corner and noticed that it proceeded down to the sugar cane field. When I looked back, I could no longer see my house. I hesitated and contemplated on going further. My curiosity got the best of me and on I ventured.
The string went on and on for several minutes. I noticed the sun was beginning to set. Just as I thought about returning home, I could see a figure squatting in the middle of the road. The sun was behind him but its rays made it difficult for me to recognize who it was at first. I started towards him and as I got closer, I discovered it was my father!
I shouted and he looked up. I realized that he was carrying a spool and was wrapping the string I was following around it. As he stood up with a big smile on his face, he exclaimed, "Aye, how come you stay hea?" He held out his arms and I ran into them. I hugged him fiercely. I told him how I got there and he laughed. "I wuz jus tryin to take out the tangles!" he explained.
I walked beside him as he resumed wrapping the string around the spool. I had solved the mystery. My father was going to weave himself a fishing net and would soon be taking us on another fishing adventure that weekend. I
couldn't wait!
When we got home, I ran to tell my mother what had happened. After scolding me a little for not letting her know where I was going, she gave my dad a knowing smile, and gave me a kiss on the head. "Go get ready foa eat and tell your bruddahs to come home now," she ordered. We had tilapia, pinacbet and rice for dinner, but I couldnt eat. I was too excited. I fell asleep dreaming about sitting in my fathers fishing boat (and yes, he even made that) on the Kahiliwai River and the all the opu that I was going to catch!
About Author
Lina and husband Chris live in Oceanside, California with their three keiki, Aaron is now 9 years old, Samantha is 5 and their newest addition, Cade Palena is 8 months. She's originally from Kilauea, Kauai (Kapaa High School '82). She majored in Communications/Public Relations at Chapman U in Orange,Ca. "I am Marketing Support Administrator for Harte-Hanks Direct Marketing (we own the PennySaver)." She enjoys reading, writing, singing, cooking, and spending time with the family. She is collaborating with her son to write children's stories and hopes to soon publish their first book!!
