Paradise Limited
mehameha = lonely
(King Kamehameha, whose name is prominent on island landmarks, was “the lonely one”)
The Problem
So I’ve been here by myself for two weeks now. And I don’t have any friends yet. And I’m waiting for my car to arrive and in the meantime, going out in this thing, which I’ve dubbed the “Ridiculous Car.”
Granted, for River, this is not a ridiculous car. For River, this car is him personified. It has about two millimeters clearance and bottoms out on the smallest speed hump or dip, of which there are many – in parking lots, on side roads and even on freeways. Every metallic scrape grates my soul. It has a straight pipe muffler and wakes the whole valley when it starts up. The plates still say Colorado even though it’s been on island a full year, and the registration is set to expire at the end of July. The windows are tinted and “ADRENALINE DRIVEN” screams across the top of the windshield. I feel sooooo conspicuous and I worry that the car will be impaled on one of the humps someday, so I only use it for errands.
Being by yourself without a reliable car is far more limiting than I anticipated, so I’m finding fun in small ways – like my local favorite foods.
Self-Soothing with Food
These are Noms. They are very weird. They’re the fakest, most unnatural gummy candy you can imagine, with li hing (plum) powder and dried lemon peel sprinkles. They’re also around $4.50 – 5.00 a pouch and have super cutesy graphics.
I LOVE THEM!
This is a locally grown pineapple. You can find them for cheaper than on the mainland, especially if you go to the Dole plantation in Wahiawa where they sell them for $3, but the real difference is in the level of sweetness. SO DANG YUMMY. One of the few kitchen items that made the trip was our pineapple slicer, for which I am very grateful.
Have you been to Indulge Bistro or any other American bistro that has “ahi nachos” on the menu? This is my version and it rocks. Ahi Wasabi poke from Costco + guacamole + Milton’s gluten free crackers. Crunchy, buttery, with just a hint of spice and full of umami.
Totally ONO! And paleo 🙂
Butter mochi is the comfort food I never knew i needed. Soft, buttery, slightly chewy, comes in lovely, mild flavors and it’s gluten-free! My absolutely favorite is Ube (purple sweet potato). I have this for breakfast, snacks, and dessert. Yes, I do realize I may have a problem.
Solo Hike – Koko Crater Railway
So I don’t feel like a complete slug, I get up the gumption to do the Koko Crater Railway trail bright and early one morning.
It’s only 1.6 miles out and back, but it’s ALL VERTICAL. For those Coloradans out there, this is just like the Manitou Incline, but shorter. And in warm, humid weather.
But look, I made it! And the views are definitely worth it.
Looking Ahead
- I’m meeting with a friend of a friend this weekend – I hope to make my first friend on the island!
- River and Troy (and River’s new girlfriend) arrive this weekend as well.
- One of my favorite people on the planet and her famiy arrive next week!
I’m preparing to go from zero to sixty really fast!
