DECEMBER 2021 LA/HAWAII STORY

What better way to end a year than by visiting with old friends, making new friends, and trying new things? That’s exactly what we did. We decided to once again fly to Honolulu to commemorate the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese Empire, which ushered us into World War II. On our way, we stopped in L. A. for a gathering of our clan. We had previously contacted our friend, Tony Farrell, who notifies the “meeting place,” a restaurant, as well as takes a head count of who is going to show up. Due to the pandemic, and the rules of nature, the field has narrowed regrettably considerably.

On our way to this august gathering, we stopped to hang out with Don Peake and his wife Judi Pulver. Check him out at Google, and/or Youtube. He’s quite a fellow. We hung out on their boat for a while, swapping stories, and acquainting our wives, before they took us to brunch at the Marina Del Rey Yacht Club. It was first class all the way. I hope that there are still some crabs left in the ocean. Don is what I would call a phenom. To list all that he has done here would turn this into a Don Peake tribute roll call. Rather, as I said above, Google, or You Tube him. You won’t be disappointed.

From here, we made a beeline to the gathering of “the clan.” It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how much time has passed between face to face contact, so little has changed. Our friends still swap the same lame stories, as well as some “new” ones that are only a few decades old. It’s a ball. Some of the folks date back to my elementary school days. Others were army comrades, road rat friends from the Ray Charles Orchestra, Raquel Welch tours, and other gigs in and out of town, and some “civilians.” It was quite an eclectic group, dating back to Johnny Hatton of Brian Setzer fame, all the way up to James King, currently riding the star machine with Fitz and the Tantrums, and Nolan Shaheed of Earth Wind and Fire fame. There was someone there for everyone of any generation dating from 1945 to the present. In other words, it was a gasser.

Here are some pictures of some of the cast of characters.

Following this caper, we were off to our hotel for some well earned rest after such a hard day at play. We knew what our next day was going to be like. Yes. Another romp down “memory lane.”

Well hey. Enough funzies. Time to pack and get on a plane to Honolulu.

We arrived in Honolulu on the 6th of December. After unpacking, we went for our usual stroll to check out the changes, if any, to our local environs. There’s not much one can do to improve on Mother Nature’s paean to ataraxia. The hotel had some minor modifications….None for the better. As we were told, “blame it on the pandemic.” We added, “Yes, and global warming, and racial profiling.” Nonetheless, we did our stroll, which of course included picking up some “supplies” for our hotel suite. What is a trip to Hawaii without Macademia nuts, Maui potato chips, bean dip, and some adult beverages? After a bit of a rest, the usual 30 minute nap that lasted 2.5 hours, we were up and at ‘em. This time we were in pursuit of dinner. Suddenly we found out that reservations were required for dinner, as well as breakfast. It wasn’t that way before the pandemic. So in an effort of occupy ourselves while waiting for our table, we went back to our suite to sample some of the liquid talent that we had just bought. After our in-room cocktail hour, we went back to the restaurant for dinner. Following this less-than-epicurean adventure. We made our exit, went back to our suite, and took a much needed shower and full-night’s sleep. After all, the walk, shopping, unpacking, and dining with an extended cocktail hour, we were a tuckered and tired pair.

We awakened 7 December to the sound of drums. A parade was being held to honor the fallen, as well as the survivors of the attack. It was at the end of the parade that we were fortunate enough to make contact with this one hundred year young gentleman, Jack Holder, who was working at the time of the attack as a Navy machinist on Ford Island. He was born 13 December, 1921.

Subsequent to the first bomb that dropped near him, he and two shipmates manned a machinegun pit constructed from sand bags for three days and nights. Jack also participated at the Battle of Midway as a Catalina flight engineer and flew 48 missions over Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands. He was discharged in 1948. Once again, a reminder that heroes are made, not born. What a privilege to speak with him.

After a few days of goofing off in Honolulu, we flew to Kauai. The snorkeling there was pretty dangerous. Due to storms, et cetera that had hit during the years that had passed since our last time there, sharp rocks dotted the beach. Yes. I “gave some blood” before getting out of the surf.

To help with healing my wounds, we did what most people do. “When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping.” That’s exactly what we did. We found a fruit stand that stocked some exotic, to us, fruits, such as Longan, and Rambutan, both of which are quite similar to Lychee Nuts….Just sweeter.

What Nick, the owner lacks in flash, he more than makes up for with pure natural quality. DIABETICS BEWARE!!

What Hawaiian trek would be complete without a trip to the local rum distillery? So there we were at the Koloa Distillery, swigging samples of various aged and flavored rums, much to the delight of all present. Yes. Most important of all, we learned to say “L’Chaim” or “Salud” in Hawaiian….Okole Maluna. This, of course, has become an integral part of our cocktailing patois.

In keeping with the “Happy Tourist” frame of mind, our next adventure was a visit to the Allerton Gardens, which included a guided tour of the gardens, followed by dinner and a show featuring a hula and fire-knife dancing show. The gardens were spectacular.

The hip-swinging hula dancer acquitted herself admirably. If I sound a bit jaded, it’s because I am.

While we were having dinner, a fellow, Paul Foti, pronounced FOE TEE, came over to our table and pegged me as Louie Prima’s trumpet player in Las Vegas. When I admitted to his accusation, he told me that he had substituted for a couple of nights in the late 1970’s, playing bass with Sam Butera. How’s that for a small world? We hung out a couple of days later. He’s presently a security guard at the Allerton Gardens, as well as a gigging bass player on the island. Due to his schedule, sadly, we weren’t able to hook up again. He apparently gave my name and phone number to a local trumpet player, Steve Dubey, pronounced DOOBIE, who called me. He and his wife, Sara took Naomi and me to lunch at a popular local restaurant, Keoki’s Paradise Restaurant. He told me that we had met in 1971 at L. A. Valley College. WOW! What a memory!! He, his wife, Naomi and I had a great time at Keoki’s, pronounced KEE OKEES, where they serve Koloa Coconut Rum, which is rapidly becoming Naomi’s libation of choice.

He’s gigging, as well as practicing acupuncture and holistic medicine.

Shortly after this luncheon, I discovered that the water in a toilet goes counter-clockwise. One only needs to know this if one is going to be a contestant on Jeopardy. We also learned from Steve that at the local Chabad Synagogue they say, “Shaloha,” which is a happy marriage of Shalom and Aloha.

Having had a wonderful reunion with friends, some exotic tastes, and a bevy of beautiful sunsets, along with some sites from the past, it was time to pack and fly back to our “home in the west.” SHALOHA!