Eighth and Last in a Series
Michael Taylor’s first trip to Hawai’i had come to an end. He boarded his United Airlines Boeing 707 headed for San Francisco with mixed emotions.
Hawai’i had been great, and he hated to leave. But – when all is said and done – there’s no place like home.
As his plane was taking off from Honolulu International Airport, he took a long last look at downtown Honolulu, Ala Moana Beach, Waikiki Beach, Diamond head – and he heard the strains of “California, Here I Come” ringing in his ears.
Like all first-time teenage visitors to Hawaii, I flew home tanned and barefoot.
I deplaned on a chilly evening at SFO wearing white cutoffs and a T-shirt that proudly proclaimed, “Property of the Athletic Dept. of the University of Hawaii”. I was wearing several orchid leis.
After five weeks in the tropics, my hair had turned platinum and my skin a dusky brown. Both of my parents were at the gate with one of my aunts as well as my best friend, his sister, and his mother.
I was taken aback when nobody smiled as I approached and started kissing them and putting orchid leis around their necks.
As it turns out, nobody recognized me – not even my own mother!
As we drove across the bay back to Oakland, I was already dreaming about my next trip half-way across the Pacific. This had been my first trip to Hawaii, but it wouldn’t be my last!
To Be Continued
For More Information on Hawai’i
Hawaii Vistors and Convention Bureau
Copyright: Michael Taylor Pictured: Lucy, Ricky, Ethel, and Fred of “I Love Lucy” sing “California, Here I Come” Copyright: Desilu Productions
For More on Hawaii and Hawaiian Tourism and Travel
Hawaii: Your Guide to the Aloha State Top10 Things to Do in Hawaii
United States: Top 10 Things to Do for Free or Nearly Free in Kauai
My First Trip to Hawaii: Collecting Sunsets
My First Trip to Hawaii: Departure from Oakland Airport
My First Trip to Hawaii: the Big Island
M8y First Trip to Hawaii: Arrival in Honolulu
My First Trip to Hawaii: Pineapple Surprise
My First Trip to Hawaii: Lazy Days and Sundays
My First Trip to Hawaii: Here Today, Gone to Maui
California, Here I Come!