Money Beat Good Intentions

I went back to my hometown this past weekend. Being back in Lahaina is always a bitter sweet experience. To celebrate my mother's birthday, we walked out on the seawall by the Lahaina Harbor to say hello to our kupuna whose ashes are scattered out in the ocean outside of Lahaina. It was difficult for any private thoughts with the scores of students having surf lessons right in the waves right next to the sea wall. The ocean is still beautiful but like everything on Maui, crowded with people, malihinis galore.

In the 1960s, my cousin Humio Okimoto tried to work toward planned expansion of Lahaina through the Lahaina Historic Society. But in walking from Pioneer Inn along Front Street up to Lahainaluna Road and along Waine'e Street, I am sorry to say that his efforts were not successful. Tourist shops selling trinkets up to art galleries selling high priced painted filled most of the shops along our walk.

It is indeed sad to see that the local people have evaporated from the town. The things that made Lahaina charming are no more. Even the junky beaches are filled with cars as people try to swim between the shallow reefs. Planned growth could not win over the all mighty dollar. What a shame!!

Lahaina, Sands of my Birth

The sway of 'ohi'a trees outside my bedroom window
Reminds me of the waves at night
Pounding against the sea wall in Lahaina.
Blissful rhythm to lull one into the velvet folds of sleep.

The smell of the salt air mingles with the scent of plumeria
with its sharp citrus fragrance.
As the wind blows, the sweet smell of mango blossoms
A promise for sweet fruit, a sure sign of summer.

The sun beats down with warm embrace as freckles pop.
Bright skies, hot pavement for calloused bare feet.
Dust sits along the roadside waiting for a breeze
to liberate them skyward.

The ocean once so clear you could see Lanai underwater
Is now cluttered by too many feet trampling limu beds
The blue seas still invite the swimmer to seek relief
In the cool waters of the Pacific

Ku'u one hanau, auhea 'oe?
Ka 'aina 'opi'o
He wahi pana hou i keia la
'Aue, 'aue, 'aue

Kanaka Thinking - The Spoken Word

Ka hao o ka wai nui, piha 'a o kai 'Olelo No'eau #1299

When a great flood washes down, the shore is littered with stones and debris from the upland.

When one is careless in speech, trouble results.


Don't let your anger unleash boulders of anger and dissension that remain a burden on the hearts of others.