Folks in the islands are celebrating the 50th state fair this year in Hawaii and you can bet your best pair of boots, it'll be a humdinger.
Our oldest daughter, Denise was born over there when the islands were still a territory and as a result she is a naturalized citizen. We've kinda set our sights on making that trip in a few years when both daughters are old enough to appreciate it.
I've got an old Navy friend over there who served 26 and a half years and retired with a fat pension and a gallon of whiskey a week. Claimed he always did a lot of entertaining an I was much obliged to agree that any one or party who could consume that amount of booze in a week probably was somewhat of an entertainer himself.
Joe Nuzzo — his name — also smokes a special type cigar purchased especially from some firm in Cuba. I haven't heard lately whether he has given up smoking Cuban tobacco or whether he has settled down to rolled palm leaves.
If you've never been to the islands, then you must go. Another fellow I became acquainted with in a year and a half there, was a Samoan, who said "you haven't lived until you visit Samoa." Claimed everything is greener — if that's possible — and much less humidity. Samoa is below the equator.
The grass skirt dancers you see in pictures still meet ships and airplanes. The girls are professional dancers. I've watched many an arrival in the islands, but have always thought the leaving celebration is very touching and heart warming. Paper streamers by the thousands are thrown from ships to docks, islanders dance, there is music and passengers on ships throw flowers over the side. Tradition says that if the current carries the flowers back to the docks, you'll return.
Hawaii — I use the term meaning all the islands and not just the island named Hawaii — is the only place where I have ever heard or seen barefoot football. As a matter of fact, the islanders are great sportsmen and faithful to sporting events. The championship high school football game the last year we were there attracted almost 26,000 people.
Flowers grow like dandelions do here. Vanda — meaning baby, small or infant — orchids have little value when sold separately. A lei of 200 to 300 of them sells for $1.
My wife just about flipped the first time she bought a dozen eggs — $1.25 — but then at that time everything was high. Don't let that discourage you, if you ever get that chance, go!
You'll never regret it.