In my nostrils still lives the breath of flowers that perished twenty years ago."
Mark Twain…on Hawaii
"Somehow, the love of the islands, like the love of a woman, just happens. One cannot determine in advance to love a particular woman, nor can one so determine to love Hawaii." -Jack London
" We are the rainbow kids…In each of our hearts beats a rhythm that makes all of us Hawaiians." -Kenny Brown
Last week I was visiting Paul's parents on Oahu, and I'd like to try to
share the colors of Hawaii…for those of you have never been there.
It is hard to separate the colors from the fragrances of Hawaii. When I smell the floral melodies as I walk along the beach or the streets there, I can't help but connect the perfumed air to a particular color.
It is not just the flowers that have color and fragrance – the salty spray and the blue-green waters have a smell that hangs in the air and intermingles with the gardenia and the plumeria.
Then there's the smell of the light orangeish mangoes, the wafting cocoa butter fragrance that evokes a cocoa brown feeling, and crisp white smell of freshly laundered beach clothes.
Layer on the sounds of the waves, the birds, and the happy chatter of those playing at the beach, and it is a total sensory experience. The light is somehow soft and bright at the same time, and one easily slips into the casual dresscode of those mesmerized by the slow passage of Island Time.
Then of course there are the beautiful Rainbow Children, born from an amazing melting pot of cultures…golden children who are a mix of Hawaiian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, and Haole. (Caucasian) Novelist James Michener's "golden people" of Hawaii live in a racial rainbow.
I posted several photos from my trip last week, and in particular I want to share the COLORS and visual inspiration of this beautiful place. Check out my images on my photo page.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/luanarubin/
Wondering if I bought some tropical themed fabrics while I was there? Well of COURSE I did! *smile* You'll see them over the next few months.
Aloha…
