Hawaii

I am in Hawaii and it is gorgeous. The ocean, cliffs, trees, the breeze and nearly constant sunshine. I have been here a few times. My husband has been many times. He assures me that it is the perfect place to hold scientific meetings, where some participants are from Asia and many from the western U.S. And if it turns out that some golf can occur, well all the better! We certainly appreciate the break from our drab and cold late fall or frigid winter. The people here are unfailingly pleasant. They are obviously proud of their state and share their enthusiasm for the sights and history.

Maybe because I have some mobility restrictions myself, I have taken many guided tours of historical landmarks, botanical gardens, read books on Hawaiian history, and just talked to people more than the average tourist. I know Hawaii has some significant challenges. The local industries of pineapple, sugar cane and coffee are now negligible in the state's economy, having departed to places with cheaper labour and greater yields. Retaining their youth to live and work here is difficult. Tourism has exploded. While providing a new economic base, plus jobs and many career paths, both in tourism and services supporting tourism, a tourist economy it is not without cost. Everything is expensive here. I am told land costs and housing are alarmingly beyond the reach of many. Hawaii has the highest incidence of diet related diabetes in the nation. And then there are the drugs. Crystal meth is a huge concern. I am also told a new rash of heroin use is on the rise. Heroin mixed with rat poison and drain cleaner.

I do not want to imply that Hawaii is not worth visiting. To tourists these problems are largely invisible. Hawaii needs its tourists and works hard to attract them. Facilities are superb. Staff is plentiful, courteous, and enthusiastic. The roads are excellent and small towns have that unhurried sense of time standing still. Hawaii feels safe and welcoming.

Yesterday my friend and I went on a road trip. We ended up at a small, locally owned hotel with a wonderful terrace. The hotel has a large beach area, part of a mile long stretch of public beach. I sat and watched the beach while my friend went for a walk. Mostly families and tourists enjoyed the lovely beach. But I noticed the restless youth with slightly unfocused gazes. Some were in small groups, but others just standing alone. One young woman turned brown as a nut, painfully thin, in filthy shorts and a bikini top, twitching slightly, obviously high but trying to function, trying to not attract attention, but standing out in stark contrast to other slim, healthy young women sprawled in the sand and enjoying the surf.

I have young adult daughters, and as a parent experience anxiety that influences or circumstance or poor choices could always conspire to place my daughters in danger. I feel no superiority that we are somehow immune. I am only grateful for my three healthy, whole daughters and desperately sorry for this lost child.

We watched a beautiful sunset, the sushi was amazing and the local staff friendly and chatty. Hawaii is beautiful, and overall the feeling here seems to be hopeful for the future, which will undoubtedly be shaped by tourism. I will certainly come again if I can.

I want to tell that young girl that in the midst of this paradise, she was seen and it mattered.