The Hawaiian Island of KAHO`OLAWE

CHAPTER ONE Two days on the Pacific and the weather had yet to shine. Lehua’s predicted vision of sunburned skin around itty-bitty, teeny-weenie bikinis was not materializing in the lack of sun. Lehua stood on the boat deck of the Hawaiian Royale, watching surf rise and fall. The beauty of the sunset had dissipated and the air had cooled; subtle trade winds had picked up and the ocean felt angry. All the while, Lehua noticed nothing but the intercom playing On a White Sandy Beach of Hawai`i, by Brother IZ. She could only smile through the misting breeze. Continuous rain and cloudy skies never entered the picture while booking the Hawaiian cruise. Lehua had planned every detail under clear, blue, Ohio skies while envisioning pineapple Mai Tais. But today, her palate was watering from another source: the orange flavor of yet another Dramamine was numbing her tongue. Born on Moloka`i but raised in Ohio, Lehua had a strong craving to explore the Hawaiian Islands by sea. With the recent media coverage on the volcanic phenomena of the Big Island, she was thrilled to experience the hot, flowing lava with her own eyes. To witness Madame Pele magically turn an oozing liquid into new land; to feel, and smell, and breathe the passage back through her homelands; to maneuver the channels effortlessly through Lana`i, Maui and Moloka`i was an exquisite, breathtaking privilege to venture on. The shoreline views from out in the Pacific held that special feeling of coming home! The trip was a gift from her parents, for doing well in law school and graduating. For them, it was a gift for setting a good example for her younger siblings. It was a choice vacation on Lehua’s part, which included her sister and brother if she chose to take them along. She wanted them on her Hawaiian adventure, most definitely. They were a big part of her daily life, as the three had shared a home in Ohio as they plodded through their education. Lehua was more like a mother than a sister. But once she entered this new phase of her life, she knew things would be hectic and busy. She didn’t ever see this bulk of time opening up for something special like this. And her siblings were extremely busy too—working through their early years of college. Lehua chose the old cruise line for one reason. It was the tourist ship the three of them had watched, as children, being pulled by tugboat in and out of the Hawaiian harbors. It was a trip they had always talked about taking together. Unfortunately, by today’s standards, the ship was in disrepair and much older than Lehua had anticipated. The boat was also smaller than she’d remembered. In hindsight, it was not the best choice. Lehua was severely disappointed. Lehua watched the unstable vessel fall victim in each turbulent wave. The boat’s erratic motion tossed her delicate body to and fro. She frequently had to grab the railing to keep from falling. The continuous rocking and swaying weighed heavily on her stomach; her throat became excessively dry and her body began to shiver and shake. She had to force herself to look away. She had to accept the disruptive wrath of nature, because wishing it away had proved a worthless energy. Feeling defeated, she reached for her cell phone to attempt a call. To her surprise, on the very first ring she got a connection, but an outgoing message clicked on: “You have reached the Malino residence. We are all in Hawai`i. Leave a message . . . ” Lehua Malino quickly ended that call because she had reached her own home in error. Checking her phone list more carefully, she began again, but was continually distracted. “Lehua?” Lehua turned, but there was no one there. All she saw was a last couple leaving the hot tub. Working on her call, she heard the faint voice again. She eyed another door—but no sign of anyone there. “LEHUA! HEY! LEHUA!” Lehua looked beyond the abandoned deck chairs and saw a petite shadow coming into view. Seeing long blonde hair whipping in the wind, she realized it was her sister. Chelsea was holding her big purse over her head, shielding herself from the gust of air. Lehua didn’t greet Chelsea as she was focusing on her phone. As the sky darkened the overhead lights flashed on. When Chelsea approached, the buzzing fluorescents flickered a bit then powered off completely. Lehua could plainly see the whites of Chelsea’s teeth, grumbling, non-stop, about the nasty weather coming in. “Like I can control it!” Lehua mumbled. Fumbling with the buttons on her cell, Lehua could feel the breath of Chelsea by her side. Chelsea hung around like an annoying kitten—demanding attention. And like a needy kitty, she wasn’t going to quit her whining until she got what she wanted. Lehua didn’t have a second right then, she had lost her connection and was feeling for the redial button. Hoping for success, she moved her body in small steps to find the best signal, smiling when the ringing strengthened. Chelsea tagged along like a shadow, but not as quiet. She shuffled her feet purposely, disturbing Lehua. She couldn’t help but nag and moan about the strong wind ruining her perfectly straightened hair. She prattled on, describing the hour it took to re-ready for their evening out. “And why are you still out here?” Chelsea badgered. Lehua ignored the distractions as her call suddenly connected. “Are you calling our folks? right now?” Chelsea hissed, “God, Lehua, you are getting more boring by the second.” Lehua nodded out of mere reflex, but would later scold Chelsea for her rude and inconsiderate behavior. Chelsea continued, pesky and persistent, coaxing her sister in the direction of the ship’s disco. “Lehua, get off the phone. Hang out with me!” Lehua didn’t respond. Chelsea was dressed to impress and her only focus for the evening was on a dance floor—not on a phone socializing with their parents. And pinching her sister for instant attention wasn’t going to be tolerated for too much longer. Lehua pushed Chelsea’s hand off of hers and snapped, “Stop that—it hurts!” “Lehua, you promised . . . ” “Just wait a sec, I dialed Ohio—” “Uh, Mom and Dad are on Moloka`i!” “Yes Chelsea, I know that. I’m trying the ranch house now.” “They could be out with Uncle Zac and Aunty Hallie, ya know? They do have a routine!” Chelsea was in a mood, spewing at Lehua without pause. “I thought you were going to change after dinner¾you said you’d go to the club with me. You can’t wear that formal gown to the nightclub!” Chelsea moaned in disgust and disappointment. Lehua gave Chelsea an eye-popping glare, meaning, “Shut up, you’re driving me crazy!” But the animation had no effect on her, she was used to Lehua’s insinuate faces. Chelsea grabbed the loose strap of Lehua’s purse and tugged.” Lehua, come on. You have to go put on something sexy and fun. I want to go dancing!” “Chelsea, let go. I need to call Mom, first. Michael just proposed to me!” “Get out!” “He did.” “Then where’s the diamond?” Chelsea picked up Lehua’s left hand, looked at it, then let it flop down to her side. “Nothing there!” she grinned. “Shush! I can’t hear. It’s ringing again.” Pushing Chelsea aside, she said, “Go find out about that commotion.” Lehua pointed, “Down the corridor—” “Hi Mom! Hi Dad!” Chelsea yelled into the phone over Lehua’s speech. Lehua pushed Chelsea away, again. “You are so annoying!” “One second Mom.” Lehua put her hand over the mouth piece and looked at Chelsea. “Now go! Please go investigate that sound and come back. This ship is creeping me out!” When Chelsea finally walked away, Lehua got back to her call. “Mom, Michael finally proposed . . . just now. . . after our fancy dinner in the grand ballroom. He arranged for our group to be seated at the Captain’s table . . . and that was quite the experience!” Lehua’s mother felt her daughter’s elation through the telephone. Hearing the excite