Holidays in Hawai`i
are most certainly hard to come by working in the hospitality and service industry. Operational changes are abound constantly, but the basic premise remains the same: if I get seated, I get seated!
The atmosphere that surrounds me is a blend of New York/Generally-Big-Eastern supremacy and island-esque condescension, thrown onto the backdrop of traditional Japanese hostility. The power hungry veterans often collide amid long tickets that keep spilling onto the floor and cross over into the coffee closet.
The epitome of our Hawaiian Christmas radiates brightly from the corner of S King and Alakea Street, where giant letter blocks spell out the magical words of the season, “Mele Kalikimaka.”
Honolulu City Hall is transformed into a great hall of wreaths made from recycled materials, underweight Santa Clauses, and coca-cola themed Christmas trees imported from the grand state of Oregon. Families and an overwhelming number of even younger families flood the area until 8pm, and young couples linger afterwards. Children are obsessed with the idea of having glow lights and merry go rounds that surround the premises.
The absence of cold, crisp air in the neighborhood of thirty degrees is replaced with a comfortable seventy. As end of the year auditing soon approaches, we throw out the window principles of irreconcilable differences and reminisce on how the year has whipped by. This year I’ve grown in innumerable ways, made mistakes, and was challenged beyond measure. Stretched out, tired out, and lacking inspiration, I seek to be inspired again to keep growing.
And becoming more confused.
Cheers to that! Happy Holidays from yours truly.