Hawaiian Paradise

Hawaii: my favorite place but this time traveling alone as, at the last minute, my girlfriend had an emergency at work…I was determined…now on the plane from San Francisco to Honolulu…During the flight there was turbulence and I had visions of John Wayne piloting that old motored craft in the movie “The High and the Mighty,” Phil Harris complaining in the rear of the plane…the crew evaluating the “point of no return” and they were passed it now, ignoring the imprecations of the comely stewardess. They could have turned back but forged ahead into the unknown.

As the ground crew chief had warned Wayne: “I said it to Orville and to Wilbur: It’ll never get off the ground.” But here we all were, in a fancy modern jet, the fuselage trembling, awakening me…then smoothing and I went back to dozing. It had been a long day. I needed a vacation away from the turmoil of the office and my officious boss who was always importuning me…the prettiest woman on the staff for: “Dinner?” or “Fancy a drink or two after work?” or what he was really saying to me after patting my butt: “How about going to my place to see my etchings, have a drink, strip down and fuck.” How gross! Exactly why I needed a vacation.

Our plane landed, we all were on the WikiWiki bus off for our luggage and me to my room at the Moana…a little time at the Banyon Court for a drink or two and then some serious…all along…sack time. The next day I had hired a car for a drive to the other side of the island…away from the crowds of Waikiki…to the quiet shores near the Polynesian Cultural Center where there was little culture but lots of people.

Not far past the Center was a wonderful hiking path among the fertile apple trees to the Sacred Falls and Pool where I planned a peaceful and restful picnic. I had heard of this place from a native of the islands some years past and this was my time to explore and enjoy. I drove past the little village of Kaawa to a parking lot which was almost empty. I was dressed and equipped for the hike: A back pack with snacks and wine, of course, some wine…and my skimpy outfit…a short dress and tennis shoes. That’s all I needed, plus a blanket for a little nap at the falls. I was on my way. No ordinary tourist was I and there were no tourists here…they were all buying the souvenirs at the Cultural Center…a Mormon enterprise. Try finding a friendly bar there! It wasn’t going to happen. I brought my bar with me!

And up the hill I climbed which then leveled out for a gentle climb slowly to the falls, only a few miles. It began to rain and then stopped. I had my swim suit under my little dress so I was prepared. Along the way I nodded at other hikers ascending and descending but few in number. It was quiet and idyllic and dreamy…one could not want for more paradise in Hawaii than this secluded hike and the falls and pool ahead.

I wasn’t far on the path when I could hear the pounding water of the falls…my heart began to pound…with the hike and the thrill of paradise awaiting me ahead. I trudged along. “Have you been here before?” a voice just behind me inquired. I didn’t look but, a little breathlessly answered: “No, it’s my first time up here.”

Then: “There is a reason why they call it Sacred Falls,” the voice said. I paused and looked to the source of the voice. It was a handsome Hawaiian man…you know the kind: an apparently chiseled chest and torso, a broad smile with beautiful smile. He was younger than me and I wondered, ‘is this a come on?’ I was alert because of my boss I suppose and shouldn’t have…we were just talking.