As the day of departure draw closer, Kaddi has decided she now has a list of things she wants to do before leaving Hawaii. A few days ago we accomplished number six, visiting the beach where sea turtles sun themselves. When we arrived there were three turtles on the beach, with two game wardens present to rope off the area where they sit and make sure no one gets within at least ten feet of the reptiles. It was a little disappointing. I was hoping to shove pocky-sticks up a turtle-nose and take a picture.
At first, the Hawaiian turtle reminded me only of hockey's most irritating player from the eighties and nineties. But as we admired the quiet majesty of these silently majestic creatures, we also got a little video footage of the turtles making their way back into the sea. The ninety seconds or so of film actually took place over about three hours. Meg got a little impatient and I had to remind her these were tortoises, not hares.
And while I watched them struggle towards the surf, I felt a strange kinship with these pre-historic animals. They were like poor, bewildered graduate students, governed by a timeless instinct, moving towards some unachievable goal....
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
A Memorable Memorial Day to Remember
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Despite his broken arm, Jake managed to soldier on and enjoy the USS Missouri.In addition to the bravery of the troops, we spent this week celebrating the fact that Luke's bowels are moving again for the first time in two weeks. Things were looking bleak for a while. The kid was so full of gas we couldn't take him out in public. After a few minutes in Gospel Doctrine he'd clear out the entire Relief Society room. And people would assume it was Kaddi or I. It felt like I was carrying Pepe Le Pieux around in a car seat. We were on the verge of being shunned by society.
Thankfully, other family members are substantially less stinky. I'm proud to say I'm relatively odor-free since leaving Thailand. Eating cereal for breakfast instead of spicy noodles makes a big difference. And now that Jake has a broken arm and plays outside much less, his smell has also improved. His clothes have never been cleaner.
Anyway...
As you can see from the pictures, I went with Jake on his class field trip to Ford Island in Pearl Harbor. We visited the Arizona Memorial, the USS Bowfin submarine, the Pacific Aviation Museum, and finally the USS Memorial. At each stop the kids learned something about WWII and the US military.
Now, at a school on the mailand that would be enough. But this is Hawaii, where no amount of indulgence or legal liability is too much for the precious keiki. Why simply visit a Battleship like the USS Missouri, when you can spend the night there. How exciting to spend an entire night stuffed into a tiny metal cubicle listening to dozens of ten-year old boys rattle around in their metal cubicles. Yes, it was just as much fun as an actual boot camp. I kept waiting for a pack of hazers to show up suddenly at my bunk and pin me down with a blanket so that others could begin whacking me with socks full of quarters.
In truth, I got off easy. We had to leave early the next morning so that I could get back to teach my sections of Hist 201 (I've never been so happy to see those GE students.) The chaperones who didn't get early parole got to eat breakfast on the Missouri and spend several more hours visiting such attractions as the library and the laundry room.
It was fun to spend the day with Jake and a hundred of his classmates. But battleships are mazes of hallways with short ceilings divided into tiny metal compartments. Not the ideal place for freakishly tall clautrophobic people.
At least I didn't have Luke with me.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Sealy Dan
On Thursday I took the morning off so that Kaddi, Luke and I could cruise the beaches and do some exploring at low tide. We found a rocky out-cropping just north of Turtle Bay where we could walk around. As we got out of the car we noticed a monk seal that had come on to the beach to sun himself.
While we gathered around taking pictures, a game warden approached and explained that Hawaiian state law dictated we all needed to stay one-hundred feet away from the seal. So I said, "Look buddy, how 'bout you tell your seals to stay one-hundred feet away from us?!"
In the afternoon, Kaddi bailed me out of fish-and-wildlife jail and we went for ice cream.
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(M-Strat out.)
While we gathered around taking pictures, a game warden approached and explained that Hawaiian state law dictated we all needed to stay one-hundred feet away from the seal. So I said, "Look buddy, how 'bout you tell your seals to stay one-hundred feet away from us?!"
In the afternoon, Kaddi bailed me out of fish-and-wildlife jail and we went for ice cream.
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(M-Strat out.)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The Rainbow Warrior
Two thoughts occured to me as I watched this video:
First, could any kid be more out of place at a Polynesian dance ceremony than Jake? He looks like the leprechaun who snuck onto the stage to hide from the neighbourhood kids trying to steal his red hearts, yellow moons, green clovers, and blue diamonds.
I wish I could show this video to some of our ancestors from the nineteenth century. Those puritanical, god-fearing, Christian pioneers who spent their time traveling around the Pacific, converting the heathen and trying to stamp out their cultures. What would be their reaction at seeing their descendants clad in palm leaves, with painted faces, re-enacting these pagan rituals?
Abner Hale would have had a stroke.
First, could any kid be more out of place at a Polynesian dance ceremony than Jake? He looks like the leprechaun who snuck onto the stage to hide from the neighbourhood kids trying to steal his red hearts, yellow moons, green clovers, and blue diamonds.
I wish I could show this video to some of our ancestors from the nineteenth century. Those puritanical, god-fearing, Christian pioneers who spent their time traveling around the Pacific, converting the heathen and trying to stamp out their cultures. What would be their reaction at seeing their descendants clad in palm leaves, with painted faces, re-enacting these pagan rituals?
Abner Hale would have had a stroke.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
That's not what I meant
Kaddi and I saw this ad posted on the bulletin board as we walked through the activities center the other day. I can think of two possible interpretations:
1) This is another case of English as a second-language, and the person is really advertising an available 'space' in their house.
2) There have been serious changes in the honour code since I was a student.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
May-ggie Scrumptios Day
(A post by Kaddi)
May Day Extravaganza
It is that time of year when elementary schools in the U.S. put on their end of the year musical programs. I have been especially excited for Jake and Megs May Day performance because since the very first day that we arrived here in Hawaii I have heard wonderful things about the elementary May Day program. Today was the day. The kids had to get up very early this morning so that we could get them to school to prepare their costumes and make-up. Meg has been talking about this event for weeks now. She was constantly wanting me to watch her dance, but I tried to get her to save a little for a surprise.
Shane was not able to go to the program b/c he had a lecture to give at the exact time of the performance, so Luke and I were on our own. Most of the elementary schools in Hawaii would be performing their May Day programs in hot and crowed gyms or school cafeterias, but since we live in Laie our kids were able to perform at the PCC (Polynesian Cultural Center). It has a wonderful stage with lights, sounds, special effects and waterfalls. As I sat in my seat with Luke I teared up as I always do when my kids are involved in something like this. This moment was a marker in the countdown to the end of the school year. I am always sad at the thought of my children moving on. I want them to stay young and innocent forever. Jake will be in sixth grade next year-the end to his elementary career, then he will embark on the dreaded journey to jr. high. Meg will be in the third grade, I hope that her excitement for life will continue with each passing year.
Before the show began I had a little talk with Luke. I knew that if he got upset I would not have Shane there to pass him off to and it would be just my luck that he would squeal right at the time of Jake or Megs number. He was actually very cooperative. He ate, slept, slobbered and then ate again. He was very good, except for the fact that some of my film footage is a little shaky due to Luke trying to capture the camera and slobber all over it. I did the best I could and actually got some great pictures and movie moments.
Megs class and the other second graders represented New Zealand. For weeks Meg has been very excited but at the same time fretting over her poi ball routine. In typical Meg fashion right after the show was over she was so sad that it was through and wanted to perform again. Jakes fifth grade represented the Cook Islands. Jake was not as enthused. A girl in Jakes class was sick and was not able to perform and I commented that it was sad that she would miss the performance. Jake thought she was lucky and described how terrible it was to have to wait and watch the other performers until his classes turn. The show was quite the success and lived up to what I had been told. The costumnes were very ellaborate with feathers and jewelery. All the children were very adorable and I was sad that Shane had to miss this moment.
As I sat there and watched the show I couldn't help but feel greatful for this experience that we have had here. WE've had difficult moments but also wonderful moments too. I was so proud of Jake and Meg for continuing to travel to and fro making their best effort to fit in and make friends where ever we are. They amaze me and make me so very, very proud. sniff, sniff.
Sit back and enjoy our May Day.
(Editor's Note: Here are some clips from Meg's performance. Jake's dance and others pictures will follow.)
May Day Extravaganza
It is that time of year when elementary schools in the U.S. put on their end of the year musical programs. I have been especially excited for Jake and Megs May Day performance because since the very first day that we arrived here in Hawaii I have heard wonderful things about the elementary May Day program. Today was the day. The kids had to get up very early this morning so that we could get them to school to prepare their costumes and make-up. Meg has been talking about this event for weeks now. She was constantly wanting me to watch her dance, but I tried to get her to save a little for a surprise.
Shane was not able to go to the program b/c he had a lecture to give at the exact time of the performance, so Luke and I were on our own. Most of the elementary schools in Hawaii would be performing their May Day programs in hot and crowed gyms or school cafeterias, but since we live in Laie our kids were able to perform at the PCC (Polynesian Cultural Center). It has a wonderful stage with lights, sounds, special effects and waterfalls. As I sat in my seat with Luke I teared up as I always do when my kids are involved in something like this. This moment was a marker in the countdown to the end of the school year. I am always sad at the thought of my children moving on. I want them to stay young and innocent forever. Jake will be in sixth grade next year-the end to his elementary career, then he will embark on the dreaded journey to jr. high. Meg will be in the third grade, I hope that her excitement for life will continue with each passing year.
Before the show began I had a little talk with Luke. I knew that if he got upset I would not have Shane there to pass him off to and it would be just my luck that he would squeal right at the time of Jake or Megs number. He was actually very cooperative. He ate, slept, slobbered and then ate again. He was very good, except for the fact that some of my film footage is a little shaky due to Luke trying to capture the camera and slobber all over it. I did the best I could and actually got some great pictures and movie moments.
Megs class and the other second graders represented New Zealand. For weeks Meg has been very excited but at the same time fretting over her poi ball routine. In typical Meg fashion right after the show was over she was so sad that it was through and wanted to perform again. Jakes fifth grade represented the Cook Islands. Jake was not as enthused. A girl in Jakes class was sick and was not able to perform and I commented that it was sad that she would miss the performance. Jake thought she was lucky and described how terrible it was to have to wait and watch the other performers until his classes turn. The show was quite the success and lived up to what I had been told. The costumnes were very ellaborate with feathers and jewelery. All the children were very adorable and I was sad that Shane had to miss this moment.
As I sat there and watched the show I couldn't help but feel greatful for this experience that we have had here. WE've had difficult moments but also wonderful moments too. I was so proud of Jake and Meg for continuing to travel to and fro making their best effort to fit in and make friends where ever we are. They amaze me and make me so very, very proud. sniff, sniff.
Sit back and enjoy our May Day.
(Editor's Note: Here are some clips from Meg's performance. Jake's dance and others pictures will follow.)
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
The wrist-shot
Yesterday everyone was going different direction. Kaddi went down to Kaneohe to take Meg to her dentist appointment. Jake was playing at a friends house. I was in my happy place, locked away in my office working on my dissertation. Life was simple.
This tranquility was interrupted by a phone call from a neighbour. It seemed Jake had fallen off his rip-stick and really hurt himself. I put down the phone and headed out the door to pick him up. Just as I crossed the street a friend raced up in his car with Jake in the back. He informed me that it looked like Jake had broken his wrist. In the middle of the street two dads tried to decide what to do. We decided to see if the student clinic would take him.
They wouldn't. We have Kaiser health care, which doesn't have a contract with the BYUH clinic. They informed us we'd have to go down to Moana Lua valley or over to Mililani. Both would involved an hour drive, and since it was now rush hour we were looking at ninety minutes. That's a long time for a boy with a broken wrist. Once again I thought back fondly on my youth filled with hockey, snowball fights, and socialized medicine.
We decided to take him to the Kahuku hospital emergency room, which was only ten minutes away. They don't have a contract with Kaiser, but it was the only real option. They admitted him and gave him some medicine for the pain, then x-rayed his arm. The doctor informed us it was a clean break of the radius above the growth plate. Pretty soon we had Jake on a morphine drip, and he was feeling groovy.
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I knew I had to give Kaddi a call, but didn't have a cel phone. Finally I was able to borrow a cel phone from a friend, but neither Jake nor I could remember our home phone number (It changed a month ago). Finally, I got a hold of Kaddi on her cel phone and she came down to the hospital. I was so proud of Jake. I knew how painful it must have been for him, but he fought back the tears while riding to the hospital with his friends in the car. Even when it was just him and I he still kept a brave face. But when Kaddi finally arrived the flood gates opened. It was like a teary kablaamo. Something about having your mom around...
So now he's home and will miss a week of school. He has a splint now for a few days until the swelling goes down. He spends a lot of time on the couch watching Disney channel with a bag of peas on his wrist. On Thursday he'll get his cast, which I hear they make in different colours now. And I guess the ripstick will go into the closet.
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This tranquility was interrupted by a phone call from a neighbour. It seemed Jake had fallen off his rip-stick and really hurt himself. I put down the phone and headed out the door to pick him up. Just as I crossed the street a friend raced up in his car with Jake in the back. He informed me that it looked like Jake had broken his wrist. In the middle of the street two dads tried to decide what to do. We decided to see if the student clinic would take him.
They wouldn't. We have Kaiser health care, which doesn't have a contract with the BYUH clinic. They informed us we'd have to go down to Moana Lua valley or over to Mililani. Both would involved an hour drive, and since it was now rush hour we were looking at ninety minutes. That's a long time for a boy with a broken wrist. Once again I thought back fondly on my youth filled with hockey, snowball fights, and socialized medicine.
We decided to take him to the Kahuku hospital emergency room, which was only ten minutes away. They don't have a contract with Kaiser, but it was the only real option. They admitted him and gave him some medicine for the pain, then x-rayed his arm. The doctor informed us it was a clean break of the radius above the growth plate. Pretty soon we had Jake on a morphine drip, and he was feeling groovy.
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I knew I had to give Kaddi a call, but didn't have a cel phone. Finally I was able to borrow a cel phone from a friend, but neither Jake nor I could remember our home phone number (It changed a month ago). Finally, I got a hold of Kaddi on her cel phone and she came down to the hospital. I was so proud of Jake. I knew how painful it must have been for him, but he fought back the tears while riding to the hospital with his friends in the car. Even when it was just him and I he still kept a brave face. But when Kaddi finally arrived the flood gates opened. It was like a teary kablaamo. Something about having your mom around...
So now he's home and will miss a week of school. He has a splint now for a few days until the swelling goes down. He spends a lot of time on the couch watching Disney channel with a bag of peas on his wrist. On Thursday he'll get his cast, which I hear they make in different colours now. And I guess the ripstick will go into the closet.
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(Editor's Note: Two days before this happened we were at a softball game where Meg fell out of a tree and landed on her back. The only thing hurt was her pride - proving once again, that the world belongs to Meg.)
Saturday, May 03, 2008
The Devourer
Luke and I watch a lot of tv together. This week we happened to catch Michael Moore on Larry King (I'm a big fan of both). Moore began by talking about HBO, how the network was producing the most interesting shows on television, and how the government should ensure that every household in America can get HBO. It was the most reasonable argument he made the entire hour.
After 3-4 minutes, Luke tried to end the misery by chewing off his own foot.
After 3-4 minutes, Luke tried to end the misery by chewing off his own foot.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Hawaii: The American Tibet
Tomorrow is May Day here in Hawaii. At the Polynesian Cultural Center all the kids from Laie elementary will be putting on special Polynesian dances that they've been practicing all year. Unfortunately, I'll be lecturing on the caste system and conflict between Dravidians and Aryans in India and miss the whole thing.
Lousy full-time employment...
Meanwhile, I truly enjoy watching the Olympic torch circle the globe. What an inspiring sight it is to see the flame carried by a runner guarded by the three divisions of the People's Liberation Army. It must really be a thrill for some of those soldiers to put a beatdown on Free-Tibet protestors from several continents.
Poor 'Free Tibet' protestors. I have such good memories of students marching around the Memorial Library at Wisconsin, carrying their signs advocating an independent Tibetan homeland. After all, we can't shut our eyes to the plight of the Tibetans. "Kids, are you getting all this plight?"
I just have one question. Can someone explain to me why Tibet would be so much better off if it were independent?
I realize that denouncing China is only slightly less popular than denouncing the United States, but if you look at the history of Tibet before 1950 - it's a mess. In many ways, the Chinese have improved the quality of life for ordinary Tibetans.
Consider:
China invaded Tibet in 1950. From 1951 to 2007, the Tibetan population in Lhasa administered Tibet has increased from 1.2 million to almost 3 million. The GDP of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) today is thirty times that of before 1950. Workers in Tibet have the second highest wages in China. The TAR has 22,500 km of highways, as opposed to none in 1950. All secular education in the TAR was created after the Chinese revolution. The TAR now has 25 scientific research institutes as opposed to none in 1950. Infant mortality has dropped from 43% in 1950 to 0.661% in 2000. The United Nations reports an infant mortality rate of 35.3 per thousand in 2000. Life expectancy has risen from 35.5 years in 1950 to 67 in 2000.
I know, I know...it's all about self-determination, that magical buzz-word of Wilsonian democracy. But what does that phrase really mean? For example...
Two days ago a Hawaii sovereignty group known as the Hawaiian kingdom took control of Iolani palace, the former residence of the Hawaii royal family and a major tourist attraction. They announced to the press that they had taken this action in order to draw attention to the Hawaii's status as an territory illegally occupied by the United States. The group would like to secede from the USA, restore the monarchy, and return to an authentic (pre-1893) existence.
But why stop there? Why not go back to the time before Kamehameha (the original imperialist), when each island was a separate kingdom? Surely, the farther we go back the closer we'll get to pure Hawaiian culture. Everything will be better off if we just eliminate those contaminating aspect of western imperialism. First to go - democracry, Christianity, electricity, and the internal combustible engine. Oh, what a paradise it will be when Hawaii is once again a society of small villages, taro fields, and fish ponds.
Tibet will just have to liberate itself without my help. When I get back to Madison, I'm starting a "Free Hawaii" club.
Lousy full-time employment...
Meanwhile, I truly enjoy watching the Olympic torch circle the globe. What an inspiring sight it is to see the flame carried by a runner guarded by the three divisions of the People's Liberation Army. It must really be a thrill for some of those soldiers to put a beatdown on Free-Tibet protestors from several continents.
Poor 'Free Tibet' protestors. I have such good memories of students marching around the Memorial Library at Wisconsin, carrying their signs advocating an independent Tibetan homeland. After all, we can't shut our eyes to the plight of the Tibetans. "Kids, are you getting all this plight?"
I just have one question. Can someone explain to me why Tibet would be so much better off if it were independent?
I realize that denouncing China is only slightly less popular than denouncing the United States, but if you look at the history of Tibet before 1950 - it's a mess. In many ways, the Chinese have improved the quality of life for ordinary Tibetans.
Consider:
China invaded Tibet in 1950. From 1951 to 2007, the Tibetan population in Lhasa administered Tibet has increased from 1.2 million to almost 3 million. The GDP of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) today is thirty times that of before 1950. Workers in Tibet have the second highest wages in China. The TAR has 22,500 km of highways, as opposed to none in 1950. All secular education in the TAR was created after the Chinese revolution. The TAR now has 25 scientific research institutes as opposed to none in 1950. Infant mortality has dropped from 43% in 1950 to 0.661% in 2000. The United Nations reports an infant mortality rate of 35.3 per thousand in 2000. Life expectancy has risen from 35.5 years in 1950 to 67 in 2000.
I know, I know...it's all about self-determination, that magical buzz-word of Wilsonian democracy. But what does that phrase really mean? For example...
Two days ago a Hawaii sovereignty group known as the Hawaiian kingdom took control of Iolani palace, the former residence of the Hawaii royal family and a major tourist attraction. They announced to the press that they had taken this action in order to draw attention to the Hawaii's status as an territory illegally occupied by the United States. The group would like to secede from the USA, restore the monarchy, and return to an authentic (pre-1893) existence.
But why stop there? Why not go back to the time before Kamehameha (the original imperialist), when each island was a separate kingdom? Surely, the farther we go back the closer we'll get to pure Hawaiian culture. Everything will be better off if we just eliminate those contaminating aspect of western imperialism. First to go - democracry, Christianity, electricity, and the internal combustible engine. Oh, what a paradise it will be when Hawaii is once again a society of small villages, taro fields, and fish ponds.
Tibet will just have to liberate itself without my help. When I get back to Madison, I'm starting a "Free Hawaii" club.
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