Remembering Hawaii

It’s March.  Here in Maine the wind is strong enough to halt us in our tracks as we walk the dogs, and the ground is covered in dense, crusty snow. If the physical assault on our bodies wasn’t sufficient, our very psyche is buffeted hourly by a barrage of news so alarming and dystopian that the phrase, “Is this real life” has become an unwelcome mantra.

So, in an effort to soothe my weary soul, I am mentally revisiting Hawaii and remembering the many facets of our trip that brought joy to our hearts. At the forefront is the memory of the rich culture that permeated virtually everything on the islands. Learning about the legends that are woven into locations and traditions added immense dimension to our visit.

We saw this offering along the Crater Rim Trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This type of spiritual symbolism was pervasive throughout the islands. During our travels, the tremendous reverence that the native people have for their history and culture was abundantly clear. Tales of Hawaiian deities are woven into explanations for landscapes, traditions, and even Hawaiian cuisine. The respect that Hawaiian culture places on their land is unquestionable.

Photos of Kilauea, the active volcano on Hawaii (aka The Big Island), remind me of the legend of Pele, the goddess of volcanoes, lightning, fire, and wind. Her wrath is said to cause the volcano to erupt, literally reshaping the island landscape over time. Superstition warns that taking lava rocks from Kilauea will result in bad luck. There are multiple tales of tourists mailing rocks back to the National Park after being stricken with bad luck as a result of choosing an ill-advised souvenir.

Shortly prior to our trip, Kilauea began erupting again. Apparently Madam Pele had been provoked and was once again expressing her displeasure by shooting plumes of lava into the air and sending cascading rivers of lava down the mountain. I was ecstatic! Being a bit of a weirdo, I get a thrill from dramatic nature events. A forecast for an epic January blizzard or a crazy thunderstorm makes me giddy. So the chance to see a volcano erupting was basically a dream come true. Alas, the show ended before we arrived, leaving only poofs of steam visible in the caldera. But it was unquestionably still an enthralling sight.

The dozens of other myths and folk tales we encountered throughout our Hawaiian travels were a sharp contrast to the rather mundane historical narratives common on the mainland. Recalling their reverence for nature and ancestors and the many sacred sites, helps prompt a heightened appreciation for my surroundings as I venture through our woods here in Maine.

Just a glance through our photos mentally transports me back to Hawaii’s dramatic and verdant landscape and helps me disregard the dregs of dirt-laden snowbanks that linger.

Remembering the plethora of exotic vegetation we marveled at on every island spurs my early gardening urge. I optimistically press seeds into soil-filled plastic trays, hoping that a glimmer of greenery will soon emerge.

Our love of everything Hawaiian prompted us to pick up a packaged Trader Joe’s Hawaiian mochi cake mix recently in the hopes of recreating a literal taste of the fantastic local cuisine. Although the result was less than stellar, it did spark memories of the extraordinary food and drinks we sampled while in Hawaii.

I was, however, able to bring home a literal taste of Hawaii when I ordered Mike some coffee from Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation. Our tour there provided an education in the astoundingly intricate process required to grow, harvest, and roast Kona coffee.

It can’t be denied that part of our fond memories of Hawaii include recalling the unwavering welcome feel of warmth that surrounded us as we stepped out the door. As we huddle against a brisk wind or throw on another layer at home, Mike will often wistfully comment on how splendid the weather was in Hawaii.

Since we were on vacation, our days were gloriously filled almost exclusively with exploring, relaxing, and learning, except for the brief foray into domestic life when we ventured to a local laundromat. We were woefully inexperienced tourists bumbling around among other patrons who were clearly adept at the newfangled digital machines. Despite the fact Mike and I literally met while doing laundry in our dorm in college, our last trip to a laundromat was (thankfully) years ago.

With volcanic landscapes, dramatic coastlines, and expansive skies, my exclamations of awe were frequent. Mike displayed admirable tolerance of my exuberance. This was the vision we awoke to on our first morning in Kauai.

While we were certainly missing our furry friends at home, we loved that this chicken came to our patio every day.

We had heard that Kauai was renown for its plethora of chickens but we were unprepared to see them in parking lots, along walking paths, and pretty much everywhere.

Over the years that we’ve been on our quest to run a race in every state, we often acquire small items which we bring home. Pulling out my bag from the Talk Story Bookstore, “The Westernmost Bookstore of the United States” when I’m shopping or mixing up an iced coffee in my “Slow Yourself Down” jar from Wishing Well Coffee and Tea offers a brief flashback to some of the little delights of our trip.

While this winter’s running was often done in single digit temperatures with snowy roads, I can thaw a bit when I remember our two other Hawaiian island runs. After doing our first DIY run in Waikiki, we decided we would continue our Hawaii running on each of the islands we visited. Although our initial plans to run on Hawaii were thwarted by heavy rain, we were able to hike a 5K along the Kilauea Volcano later that morning. The scenery along that trail was undoubtedly one of our most notable quest locations.

On Kauai we did a DIY 5K on a lovely paved path along the ocean…complete with a number of chicken sightings.

So as we eagerly await the arrival of spring, a quick mental recap of our time in Hawaii brings us a welcome reprieve from the somewhat dreary days that are our current reality. And as we near the end of our quest, we frequently recount past adventures and fervently affirm our gratitude for this astounding opportunity.

Quest #: 49

State: Hawaii

Race: DIY hike/run

Date: Hawaii-September 18, 2023, Kauai-September 20, 2023

The Bottom Line: Having visited 49 out of 50 states, we can unequivocally say that Hawaii has left the most poignant and meaningful memories in our hearts.