I’ve always liked Christmas. I used to love it, actually. But as I got older and especially after my mom passed away I just didn’t have the same Christmas spirit. Last Christmas, just a little over 6 months of being married on Kauai, C and I decided to vacation in Hawaii for Christmas. To be exact, camp on the island of Kauai. I was ecstatic because this meant no baking cookies, no frantically searching for presents, no decorating the tree, putting up lights and you know all the rest of that stuff. So here is the story of Christmas Day at Salt Pond Beach Park located near Hanapepe, Kauai. It was a day that touched my heart and brought back some of the Christmas Spirit I had lost. I also felt the meaning of Aloha.
We flew out Christmas Eve and landed at 8pm HST. By the time we got our rental car and navigated to our camping spot, Salt Pond, it was dark and we were exhausted. We set up our tiny 2 person tent and quite frankly passed out.
We awoke early the next morning to the roosters crowing (something that takes a bit of getting used to since the island is over run with the little buggers). Santa hadn’t find us, there were no wrapped presents in the tent, maybe because there was NO ROOM! We had no food except for the protein bars and trail mix we had brought with us. Oh and a couple packets of ramen noodles, a camping store and pots. We couldn’t bring propane on the plane so we would need to find a store ASAP.
The view from our home tent for the next week:
It was breathtakingly Hawaii. (If you have never been to Hawaii I can’t even describe to you what it’s like to be there. For me it’s like going home. There is a peace that it brings to me.) There were other tents scattered here and there. Most were locals or wanderers (people who had just picked up and left their previous lives and ended up in paradise).
People had started emerging from their tents and were walking leisurly around the park. As we walked over to the bathroom an older man dressed raggedly and walking with a slight limp approached us to inform us that his friend would be cooking breakfast shortly. Now coming from the city that sounds just a little bit strange. C and I are both sort of paranoid people so we thanked the man and dismissed what he had said.
A short time later C started talking to a Hawaiian man who was probably in his late 30′s with a genuine smile and hearty voice. His name was Louie and he was unloading his Honda CR-V of propane stoves, woks, propane, and food. Lots of food. Eggs, bacon and rice. There is rice with every meal. C and I helped him unload making multiple trips from the car to the pavillion. C asked Louie if there was a store that was open so we could get some fuel for our stove and maybe something to eat. Louie laughed and told him only for a couple more hours because it was, of course, Christmas. He offered to drive C to the closest store. C had come down with a horrific cold that morning and desperately needed some cold meds.
When they got back Louie and a couple locals got right down to business. They made coffee and handed it out in paper cups to everyone. While we sipped on hot coffee with cream and sugar they got down to cooking. One couple from California were also camping and they made french toast.
As soon as there was enough food to feed all of us (about 12-15) Louie asked us to join hands. We stood around the picnic table loaded down with hot food and food still cooking in the wok as he spoke. He said he just wanted to share Aloha. To bring family to people who were away from theirs (I’m getting teary writing this). At that moment it didn’t matter who we were or where we were from. Today, we were were a family no matter what our backgrounds were.
A, ala, watchful, alertness
L, lokahi, working with unity
O, oia’i'o, truthful honesty
H, ha’aha’a, humility
A, ahonui, patient perseverance
The holidays aren’t about the cookies, presents or lights. They are’t about perfect food, alcohol or time off work. It’s about family. I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday! I was 4,000 miles away from home and my heart grew 6 times that day, at a little beach park on Kauai. This year we are staying home to be with our families and to be honest at first I was hesitant. But as the day grows closer so does my excitement. My Christmas spirit has been renewed and I can’t wait to sing Christmas Carols on Christmas Eve with my family.
Aloha!
Happy Holidays!
And as my mom used to say during the Christmas season (my parents lived in Hawaii in the ’70s):
Mele Kalikimaka
No related posts.
No Responses to “my christmas spirit renewed at salt pond”
Ria, this post was really awesome. I do love all those pictures. I hope I can go to hawaii one day… le sigh. one day.
Mele Kalikimaka to you too! Ria, this is so cool. You and C really are little adventurers. i cannot even imagine fying to Hawaii to live out of a tent. That is just not me ~ I wish I could be like that- you have all the fun adventures! Sounds like it was just magical! I’m happy you had that experience and hope you also have a great Christmas. You are right… it should be more about family…
You are a beautiful person, inside and out!
What a beautiful post, Ria! What an amazing memory to have. Sounds exactly like what the holidays should be.
I’ve never been to Hawaii but I’m hoping to go next year! Camping sounds like a good idea, it’s a beachfront hotel
aww what an amazing story! I got goosebumps! I’ve kinda recently lost the Christmas spirit. I used to get super pumped, but now…. it’s been a long year and it’s not the same. I’m glad you found your Christmas spirit back
[...] finally got to set up my Christmas tree! Yay! Since we were in Hawaii last year at this time my ornaments haven’t seen the light of day in 2 years so I’m excited. our [...]