On my visit labor day over to the Big Island of Hawaii . I stopped in at Lapahoehoe. Like I always do on all my visits there to Hilo.
The beauty behind Lapahoehoe is not the modernized park that it has become filled with local campers , bbq's and recreational activities . Its beauty lays in its history. And so does its sadness.
Back in 1946 hawaii's deadliest "TIDAL WAVE" hit the coastline of this sacred landmark. Killing many children and local villagers that live on the lowlands of this coastline. Upon entering the parkway you will notice a shrine set atop a roped off cemented slab of its own. With a headstone set in place reconizing those who had lost their lives on that April Fools Day.
If you are ever lucky enough to travel out to see the new park which sits below the ridge. You will find that the state has converted it into a campground which fill hundreds during the summer season. Mostly of locals who continue to pay their respects in keeping the life of these precious children alive by celebrating birthday's, wedding's and family gatherings here.
The "now" campground site once were portables , lunchroom, a church chapel and playground which provided a school for the children who lost their lives.
My entire family is from the Waiakea Houselot's on the Big Island with over 1000 " Brown " family members in the bloodline to date. And the stories I have been told about the day the tidal wave hit has been passed on from generation to generation. My grandfather who was one of 6 children witnessed the actual day himself. I would always take notice growing up that April 1st was a day of rest for him and much sadness. As he had lost his closest cousin Francis on that day back in 1946.
I asked him as the curious child I was, what it was like that day and " What did you see Grandpa ? What did it look like ?" . His response to me was to shelter my mind and ears as he was a very traditional old-school church going very large Hawaiian man who believed that children shouldn't hear thing's they shouldn't hear. And in all his reserved truth to me, this is what I understood.
That day was like any other day. He was getting ready for a visit with family member's. His cousin Francis was planning also to visit in Hilo with his mother who lived in the lowland village of Lapahoehoe. The ocean had already receded and local villagers were running out to the ocean plain which sat water less with fishes flipping around everywhere. His cousin Francis amused at the fact that the fishes were exposed stood on the shoreline watching the local fishermen running around scooping fish like crazy. His mother patiently waiting in the car for him.
While the water receded and all the while this lucky catch was going on. The school was in full attendance with choir rehearsal, children and teachers living out an active school day. There were children on a mini field trip walking the coastline exploring the different coral-life and local fish species for studies. The pre-school playground filled with toddler's playing and teachers busy painting and teaching.
Well Francis had made his way back over to the family - house driveway where his mother had sat patiently to leave. She remembered she had forgotten her wallet on her kitchen table and sent him back down the driveway to get it for her in the house. He ran down the drive way and that was the last she ever saw of her son.
The sky had darkened and the smell. She told my grandfather years latter was like a huge fish cemetery. Coming with the wind and all of its forces she looked out and saw the ocean rapidly making its way straight inland. In terror she sat in the running car till she could wait no more and proceeded to drive up the mountain ridge. It was so terrible of an experience that she never looked back. Leaving all she ever owned and her only son to the oceans deadly wrath. I guess people like us who live on the island of Oahu would find it hard to believe that she couldn't wait for him. But unlike the now zero -lots we homes are being built on here in Honolulu. The land there on the Big Island Of Hawaii is vast. Her home sat on over 6 acres. So her driveway alone was maybe oh an acre or so kinna walk. That's a standard football field size. Just to get to the front door.
Hilo town was a laid-back " Old Hawaii Style " town which had only a cheap siren that could be heard maybe about 8-10 miles out. It sounded which alarmed my grandfather and his family about the "Tidal Wave" about 3 -5 minutes before it actually hit. He stood with his family on the highlands of Waiakea and watched as the waves pounded at the cliffs of the Hamakua Coastline.
" A BIG BLACK WALL " from horizon to horizon which stood about 40-50 feet pounding inland one after another. That is what was told to me. Helpless innocent people lost their lives that day. Nothing like it ever before had he ever seen. And he would know, as it was called upon all the town boys and men to clean for the following weeks and to help recover bodies and belongings in the water.
There are no photo's to show of what the waves looked like. Or exactly how long it took til the last wave settled. But it took many live's that day and the memories of those beautiful families and children are remembered with each visit to Lapahoehoe. But the history of the living and those that made a life out there in old Hawaiian town. Is a beauty of it very own.
Everything is so modernized now days. With everything revolving around technology and materialistic ways of living that will never suffice the soul. I pray that the Big Island will never change. As I appreciate and know what a simple life is. And also what it is like to live with the materialistic gratifications. Many look at me and misjudge me by the lifestyles they think I live. But as my bloggers will find. I appreciate the simple life. I may be free-spirited in my way of living. But hopefully it wouldn't be taking in as an itimidation to some. But that others will look at my ways in a different light.
When we die , we are dead , gone of non-existance. Our time is up and thats is it here on this plain of life. All the things that we've wanted to do, wish we had done. Well, we had our chance. All that we've gained we cannot take with us when we are dead. I look around me and every person I know is so wrapped up in self gain. A motivation to get ahead in life , to be recognized for their efforts. To show-off. Not realizing the people they hurt in the process and the precious minutes that can never be replaced slowly moving out of their sight. For their own selfish gratifications which fool one to believing that all those materialistic pleasures will bring one happiness . Only to live out life in a hustle and bustle and eventually dying with no purpose.
Some live according to the way they feel others will except them. Doing all in their power to please someone to receive approval and love . All the while no love is reciprocated . All the while never doing the things that make their own selves happy.
What For ? Who Cares ?
We must not live that way. Life is given and can be taken in a twinkling of an eye. Be all that we were meant to be , see all that we were meant to see. And LOVE , love with all that you have in you to someone who is willing to receive that love because that ... that is life! Give to others what you can share. You may brighten someone else's day. And never , never judge a book by its cover. Even if its cover may seem scary or misleading. Because within its pages you may find ... all that you were looking for ... to bring you all the happiness you need in life. Live happy & you shall live longer !
Happy Hiking !
When you are in the area. Stop by the shrine . See the names of those whose souls rest peacefully off this beautiful coast. Say a prayer and leave a donation on the alter. Or even some flowers .
