There’s snow outside, ice on the roads, sliding and slipping around traveling to and fro; could it be our heart is set on 67 degrees? Yes, recalling the Honolulu Christmases spent among friends in the neighborhood.
Years ago, we lived on the island of Oahu in a culturally mixed neighborhood with people from Philippines, China, Japan, native Hawaii, Samoa and a few from the mainland; we celebrated Christmas surrounded by friends for several days which brought us into the New Year.
The children played together and enjoyed the local food from all the grandmas around, and they didn’t go hungry. I was a food sales rep on the main thoroughfare in Honolulu, visiting restaurants daily, so my knowledge of food was varied.
Real Christmas trees were extremely expensive, having been brought to the island in ocean barges from the mainland and few of us could afford them; we had neighborhood hibiscus plants and palm trees which we decorated with tinsel and other home-made decorations made by the children at school or at home.
My favorite workday was every Tuesday, when I visited Ché Michel on the very wealthy part of the island, where the food manager was very strict and unsmiling. Perhaps he had so much responsibility he could not think of having fun. I, on the other hand, had too much fun with everyone and everything, as I do now.
One December, he let me know he was giving his food orders to a sales rep from another company, and he had no complaints about him; I continued to dogged him with my specials, my superior food, as he continued his refusal. Then, I asked him what day and time the other sales rep arrived to take his order, he smiled, said if I could be at his office at 7 am the following Tuesday, the account would be mine; I did, and the account was mine from then on. It was the best Christmas present ever.
Shopping for the children was usually simple, as our neighborhood collected toys and the children then chose the toy they wanted instead of what was under the tree. It was the most fun the children had in the neighborhood, lasting all Christmas Day, where they shared all the toys. Church services were the evening before, so we had all day to celebrate.
I drove a red/white 1978 Mustang, my company coat was red and the small igloo where I carried food samples was red/white also. The company logo was red/white. My clients knew me as: “The sexy sales rep from Sexton with her red and white car and red and white carryall.” We all had fun in those days.
Getting ready for Christmas one evening after working all day, a tire on my mustang went flat and I was forced to change tires on Kalakawa Blvd, the busiest road in Honolulu – my friend, Ron the policeman, diverted traffic while I changed tires and after about an hour, I was ready to continue on my way home. Of course, it cost me some chocolates as his Christmas present later on, as he had a sweet tooth.
I wish you all Mele Kalikimaka, it’s Hawaiian wish for Merry Christmas. Stay warm and remember the reason for the season.
