Finally, on Christmas Eve of the millennium, launching into this century, we witnessed the phenomenon known as the green flash. Unexpectedly … Before I witnessed it, I believed in the green flash — just as I continue to believe in
Finally, on Christmas Eve of the millennium, launching into this century, we witnessed the phenomenon known as the green flash. Unexpectedly …
Before I witnessed it, I believed in the green flash — just as I continue to believe in and anticipate unexpected happenings to light hum-drum daily schedules as I now flip through fresh pages of the 2014 calendar. There were many times when we drove west to Hanapepe Salt Pond Park or Mana on our small continent of Kauai for sunset picnics, with the chance of seeing what some people say is a myth, a story with no substance. But clouds and mists got in the way right at the appointed time, although the later stars bloomed beautifully.
Yet it made sense that when the great ball of sun dropped below the horizon, the momentary refraction of solar gold blending with blue ocean on the “edge of the world” would create a glint seen as emerald green. I was convinced that one day I would see that flash out beyond Kaula Rock, that is if no low-hanging clouds and blessings of rain interrupted the pure light.
The holiday season of 1999 found us for the first time without family members with which to share the fun. My husband and I decided to stave off the Christmas “blahs” and book a Kaluakoi condo special to allow us to explore Molokai and treat ourselves to a grand finale of some Christmas Day golf. That was the plan.
Like all plans and life itself, ours was subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. In this case, it was lashing Kona storms that drenched us on the 11th hole and didn’t let up until late that night. All planes to and from Molokai were canceled. New lodging had to be found (we’d checked out before golf, planning to fly back to Kauai Christmas night); the rental car contract had to be extended (not easy, since the onslaught of visitors and neighbor islanders had made reservations tight). It was out of our hands: All we could do was go with the proverbial flow. In truth, we were still in awe about “The Green Flash” gift we’d been given on our Christmas Eve stroll. Out beyond the beach draped with pohuehue vine, the strewn lava rocks, the dark, wave-battered cliff on the western shore had shone the bright, emerald wink. It was real! And it was truly a flash.
It was gone as quickly as it came. We looked at each other for confirmation, our mouths open in amazement.
Since it was the advent of century 2000, I saw that unforgettable Christmas gift as a message from the universe: There was hope for the world, for peace and harmony, beauty and things of the spirit to prevail. In particular, this underlined my belief that continuing good days lay ahead for Hawaii, and in particular, our island community and ohana circle, our loved ones, and especially our grandchildren, the young shoots of life. I’ll never forget it.
As it was, getting home proved a continuing adventure. All flights from Molokai were booked solid, the motor of the plane we finally boarded started smoking right before take-off and we were deplaned. Hours later we accepted the option of flying back via Honolulu in the little prop plane that made the Kalapaupa run — another capital letter Experience.
Gliding like a tropicbird on the Oahu descent, we enjoyed the bird’s eye view of Koko Head and Diamond Head crater, knowing home — Kauai — was waiting over the channel. I continue to count my blessings.
• Dawn Fraser Kawahara has been a Kauai writer and promoter for 30 years. Born in British India, brought up in Australia and California, she found her home and heart on Kauai in 1984 when the fourth of her children was almost raised. A former writer and department editor for The Garden Island, she launched and continues to run her TropicBird Press and TropicBird Weddings & Celebrations — Kauai www.booksandweddingskauai.com
