MacGougan at Large

Notes from Hawaii (Redux) - 4

Drive to the Weather

The two islands we visited, Kauai and Maui, are each modest enough in size that you can drive from one side to the opposite side in a matter of an hour or two. As it happens, the weather, particularly in winter, can be very different from side to side. This creates what is, for me at least, the unusual opportunity of being able to drive to weather I want. For the surfers, there is an added twist that they can drive to the wave conditions they want.

So now I’m spoiled. I’m back home in the middle of winter, wishing I could get to some warm weather by driving to the other side of Connecticut.

Hula

We saw two hula demonstrations during our time in Hawaii. In both cases, we were shown an old or traditional version as well as the newer more stereotypical version. The new hula is all about the hips and speed, but the old hula is all about the hands and grace. We’re told that originally hula dancers were men only. Both demonstrations featured both men and women, but at this point hula dancing really belongs to the women. The men get to be the stars when it’s time for the fire juggling.