It’s sunset on the world-famous Waikiki beach. Is it Monday, or a
Thursday, I don’t know. Out on a concrete jetty, local teens are gathered in
large groups down the end before individually flinging themselves off the
seawall into the ocean below into a giant swell or as it breaks on the rock
wall.
Like the activities of teens anywhere in the world, the
practice looks relatively unsafe. Their friends help them clamour up the wooden
planks on the seawall so they can do it again.
A blue sign with white writing lists the beach rules. No
boozing, no tents, no annoying tourist behaviour, that sort of thing.
There is a preacher across the road preaching, reading from the Bible. He is being drowned out by the crashing
of the surf on the shore and against the sea wall. This week is a super full
moon which comes with very prominent tides and swells.
Up on the beach, a young man in mirrored
sunglasses and orange swimming shorts jumps onto his tattered red hammock that
is perfectly roped between two robust palm trees. Like a cowboy jumping on the
back of his mount, he is ready to ride off into the sunset. He has no spurs but
there is a pair of sandals neatly placed at the base of one of the trees. He
kicks the ground to send the hammock into a low swing. The trade winds will
keep it going. Did I mention he is wearing a black cowboy hat?
It’s windy tonight and sea breezes are already working the beach. The
persuasive palm trees along this stretch of sand dutifully sway for all the
hammocked cowboys and the tourists, their soulful influence mesmerising all
beach comers and beachcombers. Their coconuts heavily fortified to avoid any
accidents that would make a tourist’s stay in Waikiki even more unforgettable.
It may well be a controlled psychological effect, but I hear a gentle
melodic ukulele everywhere I go in Waikiki, or it might be the ukulele shops I have
spotted along the strip that sell the popular Hawaiian musical instrument.
On the jetty a trio of teenagers from Oahu are filming for their YouTube
channel. That morning they decided to ask strangers to give them money for
completing challenges as requested by the strangers for payment, so they could
earn enough money for airfares to neighbouring Maui the next day. They are
dripping wet, as they have each just jumped off the jetty for
USD$5 each. They are USD$40 short of their target when I ask them.
There are all sorts on the beach – some wrapped up in their own romantic
love story, oblivious to other tourists, some sitting alone, some with others,
some chatting, some sitting together quietly. The fading blue hues change to
yellows and pinks as the sun plays hide and seek behind low clouds and all
heads turn its way. It’s strange when you think that all healthy eyesight
advice tells you not to look at the sun and then you hit a certain time of the
day where you are encouraged to look at the beautification of the sun while it
disappears.
The sun is playing peek-a-boo now, challenging the photo taking capabilities of hundreds of iPhone users on the beach. There are tourists watching from their balconies right along the strip. Lots of selfies, lots of photos.
As the sun peeps out for its final decline, many a tourist’s hands reach up to pretend to embrace or cup the sun in the palm for photos, like a giant interpretative sun dance. And then it is gone and many leave the beach for other activities, and the Maui trio walk off and head into Subway. They will all likely be back tomorrow.
