issue 28 // volume 40

 

By Thinkstock

Take it easy
and hang loose

» The Hawaiian mindset for easy living

Margaret Matthews
Contributor

while back, I went to the
tropical island of Oahu, a

life, and live it to the fullest in
what we might call an “epicu-

filled, with traditional feasts,
music, dancing, smiles, and
laughter. The mindset is “live

Tlanded in Oahu onan
afternoon in early April, and
the weather was balmy with
tropical breezes blowing. On
my way to take in the New
Orleans Jazz Festival, I crossed
a park where I saw a handsome
young American. He was just
gorgeous—six feet tall, green
eyes, sandy hair, and a perfect
physique. My new American
friend accompanied me to the
jazz show and then took me to
dinner. He asked me if] would
like him to show me the other
sights around the island, since
this was my first trip to Hawaii

was a golden opportunity
that I could not turn down!
We spent the whole week
together, and had so much
fun. Each day he took me toa
different place. Kodak Films

where the dancers wore grass

shells, adorned with leis of
fragrant frangipani flowers
around their necks. They later
gave tourists free Hawaiian

we could actually touch them.
We watched the islanders
snorkelling and surfing the
high waves on the north side
of the island. Dole Pineapple
Factory gave us a tour, includ-

: ing tasty samples of pineapple
: juice. The next day we rented

: a paddle boat and paddled

: around the entire island. We

: went toa dinner and dance

: ona cruiser which took us to

popular travel destination fora : pearl Harbour, where we saw

good reason. The islanders love the historical site where the
: atomic bomb was dropped.
; Wwe mg : : We were invited to a luau
rean’s delight.” Every day is fun- : where a pig was roasted ina

: sand pit, and the islanders and
: tourists enjoyed a barbecue

: with music and dance.
for today, for tomorrow we die.” :

Everyone I encountered

: in Hawaii was friendly,

: always smiling and making

: tourists feel at home. Their

: relaxed mindset eventually

: rubs off on the tourists. After
: chatting with the islanders,

: and just before leaving, their
: goodbye is a smile and always
: these words: “Take it easy

: and hang loose”; “You no

: worry—be happy”; and always
: accompanied by the classic

: “hang loose” hand symbol.

My stay in Oahu was lei-

: surely, and fun- and sun-filled,
: but all too soon my vacation

: "+ was over and I had to head

and his schedule was free—this : packto rainy, wet Vancouver.
: I pondered the advice of the

: islanders: “Take it easy and

: hang loose.” Is this advice

: applicable to bustling Canadian
: life, with its high-tech jobs that
7 : require strenuous study and
hosted a Hawaiian Hula dance, hard work? Perhaps it is only
: suitable to life in Hawaii, but
skirts and bras made of coconut : How about Barack Obama who
spent many of his formative

: years on the Hawaiian Islands
: with his grandmother? He

: clearly had ambition, moti-

dance lessons. Hanama Bay was : vation, and determination,

a delight, where colourful trop- : jf we look at his series of

ical fish came right to shore and ; impressive accomplishments.

Life is not all fun, games,

and tropical breezes; there

: should bea balance between

: funand a desire to get ahead

: in life, which can only be done
: by hard work and study.

life & style // 11

 

L&S Listed: 10 offbeat ways to
stay sun safe this summer

W: all know how to stay sun-safe: slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap ona hat,
seek some shade, and slide on some sunglasses. But what if doing things the normal
way is just too boring for you? Listed presents 10 ways to beat the heat without being a
conformist.

 

1. Bring back the parasol.

7. If you can’t sleep all day, at least demand a siesta from 10
a.m. to 2 p.m., the most dangerous time to be outdoors.

8. Drape your hair over your face. If your hair is short,
buy a wig.

9. Hire someone to follow you around and mist you with a
spray bottle.

10. Wear a glamorous caftan.