I would say that the best moments in my life were growing up on the North Shore of Oahu. My grandpa would wake me up early in the morning before the sun came up to go "holo holo" with him and be his "bag girl".
We would load up his green fishing truck (the one with the bulldog on the hood) with all his throw nets, buckets, and coolers for ice. Dressed in swimming clothes (bathing suit top and shorts) and grandpa in his fishing shorts and tabbies, off we would go to look for the fish. Sometimes we would stop at Banzai Bowl in Haleiwa for breakfast.
He would go to his favorite fishing spots between Kaena Pt. and Kawela Bay, depending on the time of year, and look for fish. I would watch him as he watched the Manini, Moi or sometimes Kala from the sand. He would get his net ready to throw as he would crouch down so the fish would not see him. He would slowly walk into the water on the reef. Then just as a wave was about to break over the right spot he would throw his net out over the fish.
As I watched him I could imagine our ancestors doing the same thing so many years ago. He would slowly pick up the net and bring it on shore to take out the fish. If there was plenty he would throw the small ones back and say "nough, we go home". If there weren't enough to feed the family we would try somewhere else. It was always that way with my grandpa, "only enough to feed the family". He did not take more than we needed but if there was more than enough he would share with the neighbors. The fish was never wasted.
My grandma would be waiting for us at home with breakfast. We would eat then was time to clean fish. Boy do I remember cleaning those fish. The fish guts (especially Manini) were so stink, I used to wear a rag over my nose so I could breathe. Sometimes I would get scoldings from my grandpa because I was "acting Lolo" but I would stick it out and we would clean all the fish that we brought home.
Grandma would dry some if we had Halalu, or make poke with the Nenue, or salt and pepper fry the Manini and Akule. I always looked forward to dinner that night because I knew it would be ono!
Over the years I've traveled to Europe and all over the United States and experienced things my grandparents never did. I've grown to appreciate the simple things in life that I took for granted while growing up. I am fortunate to have these memories.I will share them with my children one day but until then, just thinking about fishing with Grandpa and my hanabuddah days will do.
About Author
Dayna Kauwalu Sanchez grew up on the North Shore of Oahu. She went to Waialua High School ('87) and shortly thereafter joined the Air Force. While in the service she traveled to Europe and various parts of the "states". In 1995 she moved back home to Oahu. She is now married, has "two kids" and lives near "Velzey Land", a popular surfing spot on the North Shore of Oahu. She is raising her children to appreciate the home she knew as a keiki o ka aina.
