Life in Hawaii

After my 19 year old self, married 19 year old Handy Man we hopped a plane to Hawaii where we would live for the next 4 years. 

I had delusions dreams of Hawaii being romantic and fun for newlyweds.  I had delusions dreams of walking hand in hand on the beach, drinking Mai Tai's in the sun, sightseeing and island hopping.  What was I thinking?

Handy Man was in the Navy Seabees as an equipment operator.  That made me a Navy wife.  A roll that I embraced once we moved on base.  Before that I was alone everyday while Handy Man went off to work in the only car we owned over 30 minutes away.  We lived in Waianae at the Makaha Valley Towers on the 14th floor.  The views were amazing.  On the weekends we went to Yokohama Beach where we were usually alone, except for a surfer or two.  This is where I lost my wedding ring while body surfing.  The current and undertow was very strong on this beach.  Every time we went to the beach we would search for the ring, but we never found it. 

Although we were living in paradise, I was lonely.  I was only 19 and I had never lived on my own.  I went from my parents home to a home with my husband 3,000 miles and an ocean away.  Handy Man had already been on his own for almost a year.  He would tell me about all the fun stuff he did with his friends.  Hanging out at the beach, going to the club on base, seeing bands play, sightseeing.  I was so excited to get there and do all that stuff too. 

Reality was a lot different, Handy Man was tired after work and did not want to go out.  On the weekends he wouldn't want to drive the 30 minutes to go to the club on base.  There was nothing to do in Waianae, it was as small town as you could get on Oahu and the military did not hang out with the locals.  I missed my friends and my family.

In November we had our first visitor from the mainland.  My friend Jude came to stay.  I was beyond excited.  When Handy Man went to work we took the bus to Honolulu.  It was a long ride.  We went to Pearl Harbor, the beach and even a party on base!  I was in heaven.  We also had our first and only Hurricane during her visit.  It hit just before Thanksgiving and we had to shop for food in the dark with flashlights.  What an adventure! The power came on just in time to cook my first ever Thanksgiving dinner.

It was a very sad day when I had to say goodbye to Jude and go back to spending my days alone.

That all changed once we moved on base...

Comments

[Mental P Mama]

Awww. I have never been to Hawaii. It is on my list. Along with everywhere else in the Pacific....

[JLA]

Hurricane Iwa right? It is my most special Thanksgiving memory ever! Especially how we had to hide in the kitchen in case the windows blew out!

[phd in yogurtry]

Even someplace as beautiful as Hawaii can be spoiled by loneliness. I don't do alone well, either. But .. some days when my kids are all up in my face, your lonely in Hawaii plight sounds just what I need.

[Rachel]

I would love to go to Hawaii!! But you're right, nothing is as fun if you're alone!

[Jenn @ Juggling Life]

My husband grew up living in base housing and it sounds like it was a blast.

[The Girl from the Ghetto]

Every person I know who lived there hated it, had island fever, and moved back home. I lived in Vegas myself for a year, and I hated it there, too, although I still love to vacation there. I've never been to Hawaii, but I hopt to go one day.