Write On Maui

An Autobiography of Henry
October 7, 2006

A more proper title should be "The INCOMPLETE Autobiography of Henry" because I am not "done" yet. No sir! I have a lot more living to do, a lot more time to spend, a lot more experiences to gain, and a lot more food to taste. I have a lot more friends to meet, and I am not ready to write a final chapter, even though I am almost 75 years old.

Even at my age, I still feel young and I am active everyday. Unlike many of my friends and former co-workers, I am content and happy in retirement, which I have been for the past l6 years. At my retirement farewell dinner, I told everyone that no, I was not retiring with "...mixed emotions". Rather, my emotions were that of ecstasy and glee! I was glad that I had reached that point in my life when I could sleep late, do nothing all day (if I chose to) and indulge myself without guilt or time constraints. What a wonderful feeling! Did I mention that I also earned a pension check twice a month without working?

A pleasant, comfortable retirement comes only after many years of dedication, commitment, and hard work. It is not automatic, and it must be earned. Many of us unfortunately, do not make it to retirement, but I am happy for those that do. One of my most memorable moments after my retirement came on day, a few years ago, when I was late for breakfast. We were on a 4-day camp out on Kahoolawe Island, and I had stayed up quite late the night before, drinking awa, so overslept the next morning. I rushed to the kitchen area but saw this long chow line ahead of me. After waiting at the end of the line for about a minute, I heard a voice say "...Uncle, come!" Then a strong, but gentle hand grabbed me and walked me to the head of the line. Everyone standing in line smiled and yielded gracefully, making way for the "Kupuna". I happily sat down at the kupuna table with people my age. Respect for the elders is a virtue I have learned, and have practiced since taught at a very early age.

When attending Fern Elementary School in Kalihi, I had to walk about a mile, to and from school barefoot, first with my older sister, but gradually by myself. Occasionally, I rode the trolley bus to downtown with my mom for some shopping. In a crowed bus, I always gave up my seat whenever an elderly person stood next to me. It made me feel good, and I was happy to see a smile on a mama san's face, and as she sat down, a "...arigato, boy san!".

During our time, we did not have kindergarten classes, nor any pre-school programs. I was simply tossed into the "arena" in the first grade. On my first day in class, I cried so much that my older sister, from third grade, had to be called to comfort me, and I love her dearly til this day. I cried another time, ( probably in the 2nd or 3rd grade) when I had to talk in front of the class and panicked. I eventually overcame this public speaking fear, because I spoke to, and acted in front of, entire student bodies as I advanced in years.

When in the sixth grade, I wanted to be either a fireman, a lawyer, or a forester. In a class assignment, I had written to the head of the forestry department on Oahu, inquiring about forestry, and waited and waited for a long, long time for a reply that never did come. I was so disappointed, and disheartened that a public official would not respond to a citizens inquiry, even though I was a youngster. This incident, this failure to respond, became so deeply etched in my mind, that years later it stirred positive action from within me. When I became a government official in authority, I insisted that every letter received from the general public must be properly, and timely replied to. Although my staff, including myself, have always subscribe to this mandate, not all governments do this, unfortunately.

Growing up was fun. Time passes quickly when you are pre-occupied with excitement, good expectations, and simple rewards. Surrounded with siblings, and a strong family system, I quickly developed from a child, into boyhood, became a teenager, and eventually a young adult. I learned how to ride a bike, sold newspapers to solders at Fort Shafter nearby, and went hiking with my dog at the foothills in Kalihi Valley.

Back then, Kalihi was still a "rural" area, and I learned to enjoy the wide open spaces - the mountains, streams, farmlands and open pastures. I learned to love hiking, fishing, and hunting as a youth, and continue to enjoy these activities today. One day, while in the bushes, I shot a tiny meijiro (small bird) with my homemade slingshot. I was surprised (that I hit it), and immediately felt remorseful. I heard a loud "thud!", then watch it tumble to the ground, it's head shattered. It happened again a few more times later. A dove, then a mynah bird. I soon graduated to a BB gun, from a sling shot. The last time I committed this useless killing was when I shot a pueo, many, many, years ago. I can't explain why I had to shoot these innocent creatures, except that maybe, it was some unique, uncontrollable gene in little boys make-up. I felt bad right after the shootings, and still feel bad about it today.

I still hunt, but I hunt only what can be eaten, like wild goats, Axis deer, wild pigs, and Muflon sheep. Pheasants and other game birds are also my targets, but none are ever wasted. I do "waste" (i.e. kill) mongooses, however, because they are indeed pests and enemies to all game birds because they eat eggs, and prey on young birds. Our host Ulupalakua Ranch and our gun club, of which I am a vice-president, encourages and supports our mongoose eradication program.

Although I was not a genius, ( nor a scholar) I did apply myself and studied hard in school. I held positions as class officer in intermediate and high schools, and made honor rolls and deans lists in college studies. What I best remember, and am most thankful for learning in high school (at Hawaiian Mission Academy) was the old, and new testament of the holy bible. The teachings of the bible, ab out how to live a good life, are what guides me still.

Because I wanted to fly like a bird, I joined the Army Air Corp when I was l9, but a pilot I did not become. But what I learned, however, was that there were many kinds of people, who hold different points of view, none of which may be the same as yours. So who was to say which one was correct, or which one was the best? Certainly, tolerance, as well as patience, were the virtues I adopted while serving in the military. I also learned, while in assignment at Kwajalein Naval Air Station, to drink 6 cans of San Miguel beer (all for $l.00) each night before dinner. I also learned to snorkel, hunt for sea shells, and fight-off sharks. It was fun!

The U. S. Government paid for my college education at the University of Hawaii, because I was a Korean War "Veteran" , even though I did not fire a single shot at the enemy. My son and daughter were born while I was still an undergraduate. In l958, I graduated with a bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics, and took my first job as a graduate assistant at the
university. I was thrilled to have some recognition as a co-author of a few scientific research publications. Money needed by a young, growing family forced me to seek full-time work, and thus ended my short quest in graduate studies for an advance degree.

Work as a research analyst at the State Department of Taxation was challenging, but it was still work in a big " city". Tourism was on the rise, and Honolulu was growing by leaps and bounds. High rises were booming, and work on superhighways had already begun. My early assignments in taxation allowed me to travel to the neighbor islands frequently, and of course, I fell in love with Kauai, Maui, and the big island. "Any island would do" said my supportive wife, so I asked for and competed for any openings on any island, outside of Oahu.

Soon after we moved to Maui, we bought a 3 acre vacant parcel in upcountry Kula. Within months, we were building our new dream home and began settling down permanently. Our children were only 6 and 7 years old and adapted well. They heard pheasants cackle for the first time, rode a horse, and found chicken eggs in the pasture. I naturalized, and blended into our new community, and gained positions of responsibility and authority both in work, and in play. We met and gained new lifelong friends in Kiwanis Club, Chinese Club, and our church community. I even served as a scoutmaster when my son joined the boy scouts, and helped my wife with her 4-H girls club activities. But children grow up fast, then leave their safe nest, and start their own families, and our children were no different.

I worked very hard, until it was time to rest. I finally retired in December 1990 after serving as a public servant for more than 30 years. My last position was as the finance director for the County of Maui. Both my children now have children of their own, and, my kids eventually returned to Maui to live permanently, just as I did, because Maui is a special place for us all.

Although I have not yet climbed the highest mountain in the world, I have been close. I did catch a glimpse of Mt. Everest in the Himalayas a few years ago, as we flew to Tibet. I did, however, climb the highest mountains on Maui - Haleakala and Puu Kukui - many times! I can sense that my climbing days are numbered, mainly because of aging, but also because of prudence. Although climbing is tough for me today, I can still play a good game of tennis, and hike along the shorelines on Maui. More recently, I have been carrying a sketch pad with me on all my hikes, hoping to capture some of the magnificent scenes, in paintings.

Like a flower, which blooms in glory, whither, then dies, so will I. But life goes on, and on. What we leave behind, depends on the one who follows us. What will they look for? What will they find? If I live my life to its fullest, and have no regrets doing it , then will I be happy to let go, and start a new chapter in heaven.

henrylau©2006