One of the ancient functions of travel is to wake us up from our slumber. I recently found myself not only sailing through the pristine Pacific around the Hawaiian islands, but also grabbin’ a vintage Hobie surfboard (circa 1960s wide-body style) and catching a wave on Maui. Mind you, it was only a three foot splash, not the pipeline that serious surfers dream and search for their entire life. But I can assure you I woke up with my heart racing and arms aching from paddling on my big board.
But the trip really brought me the closer to the realization of the healing power of travel and listening carefully for those voices from your past and especially to those in your present.
The requisite vactioning mainlanders were more than present during this visit and so for were the luaus and hula dances. It’s odd but having read so much about Captain James Cook, I found myself wondering as the ‘Pride of Aloha plowed silently through the warm Pacific, what has happened to the real Hawaii and of course, the handful or less than 200,000 indigenous Polynesian ancestors making up our 5oth state of the Union.
Cook certainly knew that his accidental passage to Hawaii would forever change the shores of Waimea. It did. Kapus, or ancient systems of beliefs have come and gone, but the natives are truly wrestling with their role in the new world and seem to be reaching back to their traditional Hawaiian religion.
According to the New York Times, there’s now a bill before the U.S. Congress to grant sovereignty to natives in the form of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act.
Most of the treasures of Hawaii are found in front of you and are not discovered in travel guides, nor in literature. However, the University of Hawaii deserves recognition for its literature department and especially the successful literary program pioneered by academic Frank Stewart, editor of Manoa.
"Manoa: A Pacific Journal of International Writing," published twice annually by the University of Hawaii Press, is the only U.S. literary magazine making a consistent and concerted effort to publish contemporary writing from Asia, and often focuses on what is called "nature writing.
My friend and journalist, Michelle Vachon, living in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and I have discussed Manoa and she penned this excellent review about the important literary publication.
I also encourage anyone to check out the Pacific Writers organization. Their tales of the Pacific speak to all of us. Aloha.
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