Tracing Footsteps in Oahu

Grandma Vivian and Auntie 'Lani in front of the Royal Hawaiian, April 1941

Little Vivian and me in front of the Royal Hawaiian, September 2008

I like to think that I traced some of my Grandma Vivian's footsteps when we were in Oahu last month. With my feet in the water in front of the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki, I thought about the tiny kernels of sand that nestled under my feet. Were they part of bigger rocks seventy years ago, rocks that Grandma might have stepped on or around as she waded out into the Pacific? (I know Waikiki imports sand, but indulge me!) My Grandma Vivian became a mom on this rock in the middle of the ocean. I thought about her tucking my Aunt Leilani on her hip and heading out into the ocean - as I did the same with my little Vivian. (Though Auntie 'Lani clearly enjoyed the water more than my Little Viv!)

I felt compelled to uncover some bits of my Grandma's Hawaii. With the help of some family members, I got some information on where my grandparents lived on the island. My Aunt 'Lani found an address: 1524 Mailikukahi Walk. She also found a dwelling lease dated May 1, 1941: "Premises located in Kamehameha Homes, Project TH-1-1...designated as Dwelling Number 1524, Building Number 39." It went on to say there are 3 1/2 rooms and the rent was $20.30 a month.

The sidewalk

Mailikukahi Walk

We put the address into the rental car's GPS and it led us to the parking lot of a junior high school. We parked in a dirt lot at the edge of the school, where the GPS said in its official voice "You have arrived." At the edge of that dirt school lot was a sidewalk - apparently abandoned from another time and another purpose. It didn't lead anywhere, and you could only access it from school property. There was a cinder block wall on the other side of the sidewalk, with townhomes, circa 1980, on the other side.

The GPS said we had arrived at Mailikukahi Walk. No street sign was there to verify, and yet I could easily imagine what once was - identical military housing lined up along this sidewalk; Diamond Head and the ocean in the distance; young moms chasing kids in small yards waiting for men in uniform to arrive home to the squeals of "Daddy!" My beautiful grandma, with her effortless elegance, falling in love with her daughter in this hot jungle-y paradise. I can't imagine it was an easy time, but knowing my Grandma, she approached this slice of adventure in her young life with an enthusiastic spirit and her signature strength. And hopefully some shave ice to keep the heat at bay.

Tracing footsteps

I stood with little Vivian on my hip (sweaty and sporty, post-Manoa Falls hike) and felt my Grandma so close.

(And then some school personnel, very official with a walkie-talkie, came to tell us we were on private property and would we please leave immediately.)