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My faborite island:Kauai(1)　
My faborite island:Kauai(2)　
Uncle George(1)　

My faborite island:Kauai(1)Rain in kauai

Actually,the first step on Kauai island made me feel very uneasy. After the airplane from Honolulu took off,I sat and talked over soft drink and looked out of the window.Ocean was just below my eyes.I was surprised at the altitude.I thought for a moment that the airplane would crash. However,it was already over the island and brought in for a landing. The wet runway was gleamed and sky was dark not because of sunset.
"R,rain..." I murmured.Somebody told me ,"The rain in Kauai usually continues several days".I was going to stay 3 days.Kauai is also called "Garden island". This name has the impression of rich green and rich green is brought up by rain.But if it would rain 3 days,I would be in trouble.Clouds were thick.It lookes like the rainy season in Japan.
Wipers of the car moved constantly during the way to the hotel. Streets were dark.Both sides of the roads ware covered with unknown tall grasses."Lookes like the road to Naruko Hot Spring"I thought.Almost at the same time,Mis.S who was also in the party,thought that it lookes like the road to her hometown.Her hometown was Naruko.

After checkin,I went out and had clam chowder and sea food fry.Clam chowder was thick.When you spoon it up,you can see that it stands up above the rim.A small eater won't be able to eat more than clam chowder and its garnish;soda cracker.
The name of the restaurant was "Kapaa Fish ＆ Chowder House". There were many cats shelter from rain under cars and eaves. They didn't run away even if people approached.
After supper I bought the first souvenir.This shopping at a supermarket was suddenly decided by my suggestion. I wanted to buy Kauai coffee.I have to apologize for that. But maybe that was good because other people seemed to enjoy the shopping.
I bought two brands of Kauai coffee,three kinds of Kauai cookies, Lei made of crownflower and so on.Lei was packed in a plastic case and put in a refregiator. It costed 4 or 5 dollers.I remenbered that same flowers were sold at 3 thousand yen in Japan.Two days later, I presented the Lai to Mr.Saeki who returned to Japan earlier than us.
Though we can get Kauai cookie in the other islands,I felt that it is basal to buy in its hometown.Mr.Doric,who is Kauaian and guided us recommended tea cookie .So I put a box in my cart.That was big mistake. That was not because it was taste bad.It was very delicious.I regretted that I hadn't bought it more after coming back to Japan.Its crispy taste remainds me of Russian cookie.Next time I would buy only tea cookie.
When we went out for meal or shopping,we ran from car to the building, not to get wet.On the contrary,Hawaiians didn't care about rain and walked leisurely.Gradually I accustomed to that and walked slowly, feeling as if I was taking a shower.I didn't enjoyed buying expensive cloths and so on brand shop,,but I could know about the daily life of Hawaiian in supermarkets.Deciding that I would go some supermarkets if it would have been rained for 3 days,I felt relieved and slept wall that night. (Translater : Hiroko Okabe)

My faborite island:Kauai(2)　

We went to Ke'e Beach by car.From there spreads Na pali Coast. There was low stone walls covered by grads along the road to Heiau. The notice said,"VESTIGE DO NOT CLIMB OR SIT DOWN".Only one person could went through the path.The trodden path showed that many hula dancers had visited for a long time.
The path then came to an upward slope.From here the path became steep. We had to hold twigs and rock to climb.I've heard that many people from Hula Halau came to pray when big hula event was held.In such occasion The line was very long and they sang Oli when they climb.
Mr.Dorictold us such stories as he tore Laua'e's leaves.At first I thought the behavior was not important, but when he tore five,he began to make something.
Mr.Doric tore each Laua'e leaf and handed to five of us. At last the veins were handed.Then he started braiding them. He took each leaf from us and added to the braid.Finally He made LeiPo'o（headlei)made of Laua'e.
What remained was just veins.Some people threw them away but after Doric said to hold them,they picked them up and put them on their chest. From the moment we felt the existance of God near ourself.We talked less and climbed the path quietly.

Grasses and trees disappeared and suddenly we saw the sea.We had reached the shrine.Before us spread glassy place znd beyond that stood the rock of Na Pali.Among mossy stones there were some man-made towers.They were made of color-faded Leis and Ki-leaf skirts.
In front of the tower Mr.Doric who wore LeiPo'o chanted Oli. Everyone listened quietly.After chanting Oli he taught us to take off our shoes and make offerings of veins.One by one we offered vains and prayed.

In addition to Lei hula was also offered here.Hula dancers turned back on the sea and faced to steep rock.This place was surely isolated.I could hear the sound of bird,weve,and maybe cascade.
I thought I could understand why this place was selected as the sacred place. Almost nobody came here,so we could face only huge rock.I didn't know whether God was exist behind it or not,but dancers had to keep detachment when they dance.They didn't dance for audience.They didn't compete for tecnique or beauty.Gimmick and representation are also useless.Dancers talk with God or themselves and try to reach real hula.The purpose of practicing is not to show to people but to satisfy themselves and God.

The member then was,except me and Yukari,who was elementary school student, all good dancers and enjoyed dancing everywhere.They didn't care about the location.Every time they hear the sound of ukulele,they danced.However nobody try to dance here in Heiau .We decided to went back reluctantly. Uphill road was hard,but downhill one was harder.We carefully went down. Just at that moment I found something strange.
Among large rocks I could see some tower of soil.The tower was about 10cm tall and cone-shaped.I also found large hole beside them."Mole,or mouse?" I looked into the hole but nothing could see.
I asked Mr.Doric,who came down with Mr.(MS.?)N about the hole.He answered, "Worm".That was enough.The worm which lived in such big hole! The worm which could make such big mountain!I had approached closely and looked into the hole! I ran at full speed.I really dislike the creature like earthworm,snake, slug.I had heard that snakes didn't live in Hawaii and relieved.I hadn't thought about earthworm.
My first visit to Ka Ulu Paoa was end by the shocking episode. But I will visit again desperately.Maybe in the dry season when they sleep underground. (Translater : Hiroko Okabe)

I arrived at the place early and was surprised to see an extraordinary sleeping person.It was a old man with sparkling silver jacket and shorts.

He also wore red shirt and leather shoes.He was a small person and had his legs sticking out of his shorts were so slender that they looked like octopus's legs. Was he uncle George? Feeling expectation and suspicion, I passed with a side glance at this sleeping man and entered the room.There had been already several students waiting for the lesson.They also showed curiosity.Everybody seemed to feel the same way.

The lesson began with relaxed KUMU HULA fearless students,uneasy teacher Hiro.
The ukulele played by uncle sounded rhythmically and smooth,then basic step began.Though the participants were not so many, there were also the crew from Sendai Broadcast Center.Teacher Hiro himself danced seriously.
In time,uncle began to sing.I thought that my eyes,ears,and heart would stiffen.The only Hawaiian songs I've ever listened were of Gabby Pahinui's. I was captivated his powerful voice and guessed that this is Hawaiian music.
So his rather delicate and clear voice was new to me.Moreover,I couldn't understand why this man could have such youthful and sweet voice.I coudn't learn the dance and just listened his song.

The subject was "Nani Kauai"(Later I learned that it's real title was "Nani Waialeale",but I memorized it as "Nani Kauai").It was a masterpiece containing refrain,too difficult for us to dance.
Uncle didn't only sit on a chair and play ukulele but give us some advice in front of us.Though the motion was simple and he didn't explained so much things,we could understand something.
This dance represented violent wave,steep mountains,Mokihana（a flower in Hawaii),and so on.Having performed this,I began to have wish to visit kauai island,which I hadn't wanted to before.

As for the degree of understanding,the lesson wasn't successful because of the lack of my technique and experience.In my note,I wrote my impression :"Oh my!! Too dificult! I don't understand".I remember I didn't have energy to keep records then,and wrote then later.
In this connection I may add that we took the lesson without noticing its greatness, and Sendai Broadcast Center didn't noticed and continued filming at the same time.But the topic couldn't be seen on TV news because of the case of highjack coused by the person who calls himself as a member of "AUM sinrikyo".