The Face of Oahu

[世岩 최삼송]

Those who live on Oahu are not shy about correcting mainlanders - it's HO-no-lu-lu, they say, and OO-koo-lay-lay. Not surprisingly, the most fervent cultural revivalists are ethnic Hawaiians. Their culture remains very much alive, even in Waikiki, where tourists and triathletes congregate. Among native islanders, almost everyone surfs or plays the ukulele, or both. They may be living in paradise, but a surprising number cite the Alpine "Sound of Music" as their favorite movie.



From left Aunty Genoa Keawe Singer. At 87, has 12 children, 38 grandchildren, more than 50 great grandchildren and 25 great-great-grandchildren. Has recorded more than 20 albums. Started playing the ukulele at age 7. Never surfed. Has been singing at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa for 20 years. Favorite song: ‘‘Embraceable You.’’

Kale A‘i Fifth grader at Kamehameha Schools. Has been surfing since age 6; fastest backstroker under age 10 in the state. Dream: to become an Olympic water-polo player. ‘‘Honolulu is just a city, but with a beach. We don’t live in grass shacks and all wear muumuus!’’

Becky Dosh Waitress at Lei Lei’s Bar and Grill at Turtle Bay Resort. Single. Surfs every day. Has lived in Massachusetts and Maine but says, ‘‘Maine is too fast-paced.’’ Wants to open a surf-art camp for kids. Dream: to go to Thailand and Fiji.




From left Frank and Doris Chadima From Pittsburgh; live in Oahu four months a year. Married 42 years. Sunbathe at Waikiki and the beach where ‘‘From Here to Eternity’’ was filmed. ‘‘We tried the clinch,’’ Frank says, ‘‘but Doris doesn’t like sand in her hair.’’ Like happy-hour bars; their favorite bartender calls them ‘‘the Frank and Doris Show.’’

Leina‘ala Kalama Heine Professional hula dancer. Started dancing at age 3. Used to surf, but ‘‘not at this age!’’ Leader of the Halau Na Pualei O Likolehua, a group of Hawaiian women who meet twice a week to discuss ways to preserve Hawaiian traditions. ‘‘It’s not fun. It’s a commitment to our culture and ancestors.’’

Rudy Paclib Maintains grass and trees at Kapiolani Park. ‘‘I try to make the place look nice for tourists so when they leave Hawaii, they say, ‘Hey, you should have seen that park,’’’ he says. Been to Las Vegas twice; wants to go to England. ‘‘When I die, I’d like to come back to a place like this. I love Hawaii.’’




From left Buffalo Keaulana Surfing legend. ‘‘I don’t call myself a pro, just a teacher — if you want, a waterman.’’ At 71, surfs two to three hours a day, three times a week. Favorite shows: ‘‘Gunsmoke’’ and ‘‘The Rifleman.’’ Plays golf for fun. ‘‘I’m terrible.’’

Bonnie Johnson Merchant seaman. Poses with parrots for tourists. Favorite movie: ‘‘Titanic.’’ Regular churchgoer. Likes rock ’n’ roll. ‘‘I’m too old to have a dream. I’m 67.’’

Ivan Yamazaki Multimedia artist. ‘‘I like making what I imagine come to life.’’ Surfs. Used to teach ukulele. Plays piano, guitar and drums. Inspired by live music; fan of the group Deerhoof. Wants to go to Paris



From left Alan Wong Chef. Runs the Hualalai Grille at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and the Pineapple Room in Honolulu. Won a 1996 James Beard award. Doesn’t cook at home: ‘‘My fiancée cooks.’’ Watches the Food Network and ‘‘Star Trek.’’ Favorite movie: ‘‘The Sound of Music.’’ Has never been to Europe. Wants to visit Spain and Portugal.

Swileen Salomon and Annette Semens Cousins and students. After school, like to cruise for boys. Don’t surf. Favorite musician: the rapper T.I. Want to go to California. Annette would like to be a singer. Swileen hopes to be a model and then a bartender.

David Roadhouse Psychotherapist and triathlete from Chicago. Won the International Triathlon Union Age Group Triathalon World Championship last month at age 61: ‘‘This is what I do for fun.’’ Practicing Buddhist. Meditates daily: ‘‘It helps my racing enormously.’’ Dream: to become enlightened.




From left Daari Foggo Cocktail waitress from California, working at the Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian. Husband owns a tattoo shop, Tattoolicious. Doesn’t surf. Good at making friends. Would be a housewife if she didn’t have to work.

Akiko Hirano Aesthetician from Japan. In Hawaii for a conference. Hobby: shopping. Favorite designer: Chanel. Wants to go to Las Vegas and Australia. Dream: ‘‘to get a rich man.’’

Sela Jewelry designer from California. ‘‘I don’t work; I play.’’ Inspired by the present. “I just enjoy life; I enjoy breathing.’’ Wants to go to Egypt. Hobby: ‘‘being.’



From left Misty Ho’ohuli Fifth grader at Kamehameha Schools. ‘‘I like painting, coloring, drawing and sports.’’ Doesn’t hula or surf. Plays the ukulele. ‘‘My dad taught me.’’ Dream: to be a professional softball player, then a movie star.

Capella Williams Hula dancer, entertainer and student. Likes reggae, jazz and Hawaiian music. Hangs out with family and friends for fun. Wants to be an event planner in Oahu. ‘‘I want to spread the aloha and represent Hawaii.’’

Angelito Cacho Research technician at the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agricultural and Human Resources. Loves animals and the outdoors. Vacations in Las Vegas. Hobby: traps wild pigs in the mountains, then cooks them. Wants to retire in the Philippines.