Leeward 'watering hole' offers Hawaii's best of aloha

Spinners cafe on the Waianae Coast

"Come on and sit down and join us here.  We have plenty of food to share after you have picked up your plate.  Lots of people to meet, and just sit and watch the ocean with the rest of us."
The friendly greeting from the group echoes through the small cafe, the Waianae 'watering hole' that is the best kept secret of new and old visitors, in the traditions of many places around the world.

The sun streams through the windows, with its diamond-like spears coming in with its warmth even as it touches the ocean in the near distance, as strangers and friends gather around a table, sharing what is called "empty your refrigerator" time, as a prelude to friendly chatter and great food.

Hawaii's potential flooding reflects how climate change impacts disadvantaged most

View of Makaha Valley on the Waianae Coast from Makaha Valley Towers

The Waianae Coast offers some of the most authentic of the
culture in Hawaii, as well as some of its most beautiful scenery and pristine beaches.  It was once the haven of Hawaii's royalty.  But in modern times it now is home for many of the poor of the islands, who face the impact of climate change most, just as in other areas of the world.

Recession comeback: Hawaii Calls

[caption id="attachment_4324" align="alignleft" width="219" caption="Aloha Tower"][/caption]




Carol Forsloff - If you have ever played a part of Hawaii's journey,  you will remember it.  For recession's pains might bring its hurt to paradise, but Hawaii calls and you must always go, as anyone would with dreams and thoughts of home.

"Welcome home," an old friend said. "And home it will always be, if not in fact in memories that never fade no matter the passing of time.

That time was brought back fresh and new in the faces of those old friends.  Some of these are the living and breathing ones, that one remembers through a look, a touch, the sounds of voices that like magic still remain in the place I lived for nearly 30 years.  Others are the sights and sounds only Hawaii brings.

The beauty of Hawaii, its land and all its folks resides in the belief that all things are connected in their making, with God the centerpiece.

In the coming weeks you too can take that journey, here  and wherever this author writes, until you feel in some ways you too have played your part on that journey to paradise.

The picture here  is that piece of it, with so much more to tell.  The end of a day's journey, on a week's return has come.  Hawaii is a respite for a moment much too brief or comes to those who only want to dream.