It was a step back into the past as we landed in the island of O’ahu. Immediately we had a taste of the Polynesian culture as were greeted by the Diamond Head Tour representatives with leis and welcome with lots of alo–haaas! We stayed at the Sheraton hotel fronting the Waikiki beach. Our first breakfast was along the beach and our guide explained that Waikiki beach was actually the playground of the monarchy in the early 1800s. The monarchy was eventually overthrown in the 1890s and annexed as a territory of the USA in 1898 until it became the 50th state in 1959. The Polynesians, Tahitians, Europeans, Japanese and Chinese were the first settlers in the islands but now, Filipinos are the largest ethnic group comprising close to 15% of Hawaii’s population. In the evening, we opted to go to a supposedly authentic luau, a traditional Hawaiian feast. The place was an hour’s drive from the hotel. We were fortunate to occupy the front seats of the bus. We were already about 10 minutes in the road when Butch started commenting in Tagalog how bad, lazy and “walang kuwenta” the tour guide was, since he did not even bother to double check on the guests, introduce himself and the tour and what to expect during the luau as he was busy chatting on his phone. A few minutes more, the tour guide stood up and introduced himself as a Filipino with an Irish soldier father. Oooppss – we just looked at each other in embarrassment and Butch had to make up with very loud claps and a hefty tip. He redeemed himself (if he had understood our comments) and was very charming and enthusiastic after awhile. The luau however was somewhat of a disappointment as the food was not much different and the repetitive hula entertainment pales in comparison with our colorful and varied cultural dances. Food was served in Styrofoam plates: assortment of veggies and pasta salads, main course of fried chicken, mahi-mahi filet, rice, and poi; and assortment of cakes for dessert. The cost of the luau experience included 3 premium drinks which we did not consume because we don’t drink. On the whole, it was a-ok but could make some improvements to actually have a more authentic luau experience. The next day, we took the historic Pearl Harbor tour. Along the way, we passed by the apartment where President Obama grew up. It probably have been unthinkable at that time to foretell he would become the most powerful man in the world a few decades later. As soon as we arrived in Pearl Harbor, we watched a 30- minute documentary film showing actual footages and pictures of the aftermath of the attack. More than 2000 died and thousands more wounded during that day. The wreckage was still evident and some ships like the USS Arizona became the tombs of those who perished inside. The horrors of war are indescribable. It is hard to imagine going through that experience. We were fortunate to get aboard the USS Missouri. This is the battleship where the rites of the final surrender of Japan were held. We were actually standing right on the spot where Admiral Nimitz and General McArthur declared the end of the Pacific War. It must have been exhilarating and poignant moments to have witnessed such a historical event. Looking back and appraising the present, it is amazing how Japan has risen from the ashes of war. It makes you wonder and question especially if you also look at Korea and perhaps Vietnam who were more devastated than us, what is in the character of these people that we do not have, that prevents us to move forward and progress at the same pace as them? We have worked with various Caucasians and various ethnic groups and we are in no way inferior to any of them. It is clear however that with the constant shifting of global alliances, there are “no permanent friends and no permanent enemies, but only permanent interests”. Mahalo!
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