The Island Life

Deemed paradise by many  
surrounded by way
beaches that go on for miles
not a locale many want to depart  
 
A destination that required a wait  
curtesy of the "gift" called Covid
kūlohelohe splendor in excess
and historical significant in the country's story
 
Warnings about the coconut lāʻau
eight in my bro's backyard
didn't register  
until learning about the coconut to the head fatalities  
 
Location, location, location
mantra of the real estate business
though less house, more backyard
crashing nalu a call to slumber  
 
Arise with tides and water crashing the sea wall
if the timing is right, dolphins and whales
making their journeys
delighted malihinis on the boats
 
Two weeks went by like a flash
partially due to relatives' drama
paranoia about the honu  
least of dangers in truth  
 
Second week of nirvana  
left to do my own thang
walks with pīkīs as tour guides
strumming the guitar and shave ice (no "d" in the word)
 
Sign of hardships  
even in the setting labeled picturesque  
tents occupying public kahakais
witnessed by the conversations  
 
While not excited for a return to continent  
life in the other forty eight  
and the family ties
not inclined to designate the islands "home"
 
The mana is chill
separation from some of the issues in the states
also a "slow lane" mentality  
that frames societal norms
 
'Ae a boon for inspiration
for creative endeavors  
song, poems, books
also signs of neglect  
 
Football stadium that hosted  
so many memorable Pro Bowls saddled with rust
mass transportation project in need
nā kulas with barely passable structures  
 
Resignation to a stress reduced life  
also finds a void in terms of determined drive
a kaiapuni rich for imagination  
in opposition to the prototypical hard charging personality