Summer, even in Hawaii, translates to holiday time, with the keiki out of school and a present that frees our young ones from the original intent of summer vacation — which in rural places was working to help farm and
Summer, even in Hawaii, translates to holiday time, with the keiki out of school and a present that frees our young ones from the original intent of summer vacation — which in rural places was working to help farm and harvest during months of warm weather. In northern climates, this was short lived. The survival of the family depended on it. On Kauai, our kids no longer have to join the labor force in the pineapple and cane fields, rice and taro paddies or orchards. In fact, it’s argued that they may, indeed, have too much free time and not enough responsibility, but the purpose of this column is not to debate that point.
The summer season, with its blue-sky days and enlivening trade winds, its fragrances and exclamations of color as everything grows and shimmers, almost demands that we humans match it in energy and vibrancy. This translates into taking more time off necessary work to enjoy the outdoors. Family strolls, picnics and camp-outs, beach days with sun and swimming, snorkeling and fishing, hikes and biking and forest exploration, and definitely days of just hanging out, enjoying each other and our leisure times. Perhaps after sharing good food, the talk story is laced with music and song, and some impromptu hula.
How about a holiday at home? I mean a true holiday, letting all those niggling worries, about I-ought-to-do this and I-should-do-that, go. Completely.
The formula: Choose anything you’ve been wanting to do, and plan for it. Highlight the day on the calendar, and keep it as you would a business or doctor appointment. If others, such as family and friends are involved, get them to commit to the informal contract, too. No last-minute changes of mind or pull-outs — barring unforeseen emergencies (the same attitude as if you were boarding that plane to make a connector schedule with another flight to some destination).
Once you’re on your way and launched into your holiday-at-home plan, you can let go and relax — so good for you, and anyone who is doing the same with you. There isn’t a health pill or cure as good as being focused in the moment, and happy while doing whatever you’ve chosen to do. All the good “stuff” will be flowing into your brain and body, calming tension and nourishing every cell and bone in your body. No guru or doctor can give you this; you must give this gift to yourself, and pass on the experience and knowledge of such a gift to those around you.
Think about it: Visitors spend thousands of dollars coming to our island for rest and rejuvenation. It’s true that we, who live on Kauai, in general must work at making that possible. But it doesn’t mean we can’t take a break and become a “visitor” at times, too. We may be looking around our home territory, but are we truly seeing it?
So, will it be something fun in the outdoors without an entry ticket price, like starting a garden at home or going to the beach or mountains? Catching a sunrise, or sunset? Taking a stroll though the park? Riding a bike along The Path? Or will it be a treat such as local tour that you’ve been wanting to take, visiting an art gallery or museum exhibit that interests you, attending a play or musical? Or, for the adventurous, horseback riding, a zip line, helicopter or air tour? A sail or Na Pali Coast tour?
Then there are gardens to visit. We certainly have enough different and lovely National Tropical Botanical Gardens listed, and some private ones, too. Or is what draws you a day of golf, or some miniature golf with the family? And/or take your kids –or a sweetheart — out to breakfast, lunch or dinner. A movie theater visit, complete with hotdogs and popcorn? Or just gather everyone around at home to strum and sing and talk story? Perhaps stream a good film or pop in your Netflix plan DVD (Do I smell the popcorn?).
Make a contract to “vacate” your regular work and home schedule at some point soon. Close the door, of your mind (as far as niggling little work worries go), too. If your work commitment or need is such that can’t give up a whole day, then maybe just a morning, afternoon or evening. After all, this is where the word “vacation” comes from. And even the God of the holy Bible is said to have rested on the seventh day. It’s amazing what a holiday can do for a person, even a quickie one, at home.
When I was young in a British society, these were called “hol,” short for “holiday,” a word from Middle English. Going back further, the term derives from the Old English haligdæg (“holy day, Sabbath”), equivalent to holy, plus day. If planned right and responsibly – not letting someone down, or ignoring a commitment or contracted schedule — and within your budget, so no regrets, your holiday at home (or “hols”- plural) will be a blessing you give yourself and anyone with whom you share quality time.
Bon voyage! Aloha, Kauai!
• Dawn Fraser Kawahara has been a Kauai writer and promoter for 30 years. Born in British India, brought up in Australia and California, she found her home and heart on Kauai in 1984 when the fourth of her children was almost raised. A former writer and department editor for The Garden Island, she launched and continues to run her TropicBird Press and TropicBird Weddings & Celebrations – Kauai as part of DAWN Enterprises.
