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I pull into a space and grab my purse. Getting out, I smooth my dress and check my lipstick in the side mirror. Good to go. People are making their way to the door, and it is encouraging. Not only are there haloes heading in, but there are also Hawaiians. I recognize the couple who run the little market on Hilo Street. And they are with one of their adult children and his wife. They walk in before me.
As I go through the open door, sounds of soft instrumental music plays. Hawaiian music and instruments. Oh! The large photograph of Nani in her youth, is a perfect way to greet guests. Her graceful arms raise to the sky as she is captured mid hula. Beautiful.
There are a few groups waiting on the padded bench around the entry.
Alek rounds the corner and spots me behind the other guests. First he greets them.
“Aloha. Thank you for coming. We hope you enjoy your visit.” Then quietly to the hostess, “Make sure they get a window seat, please. These are our neighbors.”
“There’s a small wait, but we will get you seated as soon as possible.”
This makes the group very happy. He turns to me and holds out a hand.
“Come on, I want to show you.”
Following him into the dining room, I am hit with the sheer beauty of the place.
“Oh! It’s stunning!”
His smile agrees with my assessment. To start with, the place is full. Every table that I can see. And the smell! Divine. The wraparound view, in the waning light, is spectacular. High above the deep blue of the ocean, the shadowed green of the golf course, the lights of the resort already showcase the walkways and buildings. As day turns to night, it presents the diners with an unparalleled view.
“You like it?”
“Like it? Are you kidding? It is beyond anything I imagined.”
“What do you think of the mural?”
He motions behind us, and I turn.
“Oh!”
On the wall facing the sea is the painting made of movement and color. Big Lucky outdid himself. Pele is the centerpiece, in all her glory. I immediately look at her eyes and hands. Nani. I see it. Especially after seeing the photograph in the entry. It is her young hands. But I believe it is her mature eyes. That is so meaningful. Beautiful. There’s the nest and the bird. Florenza and his children. I’m going to cry.
“I had the same reaction,” he says, seeing my tears well.
“Leilani!”
I turn to see Nani, in all her glory. Happy.
“Oh, Auntie! I don’t even have the right words! This place!”
She takes me in a hug. “I know my girl. I haven’t stopped being amazed.”
“Did you see Pono’s fabric wall hangings?”
“Not yet. But I need to.”
“Come look,” she says, taking my hand.
“You go sit. We’ll be there in a minute,” she orders Alek.
He doesn’t fight her.
“What do you want to drink? I’ll order you something.”
“I’ll have a martini!”
“That’s my girl,” he says, walking off.
