Hawaii

We wanted to get away from New York State winters, and after completing graduate school I felt fortunate that I had found a job to teach math and physics at the Iolani School in Hawaii. We sold our trailer that we had been living in and took a three week trip through this beautiful country, shipped the car from San Francisco, and boarded a plane for Hawaii. It was 1964. Hawaii had been the 50th state for only five years.

Iolani was a private Episcopal Boys' School, and at first I was a bit concerned about teaching just boys but looked forward to the new challenges. I quickly found out that in this school, all graduates were accepted to and attended college or university. Most started college with advanced placement credits, and some started college as sophomores. It was a wonderful teaching situation with little discipline necessary. The parents of the boys had spent much money for their tuition and expected serious scholarship in return. Imagine, the entire class with homework done every day, ready to take notes, and asking good questions! Sounded like paradise to me as their teacher.

When not teaching we could explore the island of Oahu on weekends, go to the beach in the early evening with our small hibachi (grill), cook out and play in the surf, and watch the sun go down. The views of the volcanic mountains with the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean were spectacular, especially to this farm boy from the rolling hills of New York. Particularly of interest were the unusual flowers and flowering trees which could be seen the year around.

My brother-in-law Todd and his wife Marti were stationed in Schofield Barracks while we were there, and although he had two tours of Vietnam which caused us worry, it was wonderful to have family in town. While we waited for our car to be shipped, we were loaned the use of a Jaguar convertible from another officer who was TDY elsewhere. I quickly learned to like driving Jaguar convertibles.

For three years we explored the islands, entertained visiting family and friends, and enjoyed our growing family. Scott and Chris were born in Hawaii and therefore Kamainah(native). Here we met the cousin with the same name, born within two weeks time of my birth, and another distant cousin who also taught at Iolani, drove an Edsel, and lived with her family high up on the hills with a beautiful view of the city and ocean. We even got to house sit for them.

After three years of endless summer and mild weather, we were ready to continue our education and moved to Tucson, Arizona, to attend the university. It was hard to leave Hawaii, Iolani, and our friends, but the challenge of earning a PhD drew us away. All of my family has returned for visits, with Scott being the most recent visitor. Even grandson James was born there! Maybe someday HW2 (also born in Hawaii) and I will again visit the Hawaiian Islands.