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Mariechen Puchert / youth journalism.org
Delicious fruits for sale at the Hilo Farmer’s Market in Hilo, Hawai’i
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By
Mariechen Puchert
Mariechen Puchert
Associate
Editor
Editor
HILO,
Hawai’i, U.S.A. – For my sailing voyage around the world, Hawai’i was perhaps
the single port about which I felt ambivalent. For the majority of students and
staff sailing with the Semester at Sea Spring 2013 voyage, it was a final
opportunity to be on American soil, to have cellular reception and to contact
their loved ones on the mainland.
Hawai’i, U.S.A. – For my sailing voyage around the world, Hawai’i was perhaps
the single port about which I felt ambivalent. For the majority of students and
staff sailing with the Semester at Sea Spring 2013 voyage, it was a final
opportunity to be on American soil, to have cellular reception and to contact
their loved ones on the mainland.
For meit was a port, an island I had never visited, but one I expected to find in the
clichéd fashion it is portrayed in Western media. Of course, I was breaking the
number one rule of traveling – never make up your mind about a place before
you’ve been there – but I did not even realize my prejudices at the time.
Soexpecting persistent tropical-style music with too many bright colors and
fruity alcoholic drinks, I stepped onto Hawaiian soil in Hilo.
Hilo is
one of the two big cities on the Big Island, the other being Kona. Remember
that Hawai’i is an archipelago of various islands, of which O’ahu, which hosts
the state capital, Honolulu, is perhaps the best-known.
one of the two big cities on the Big Island, the other being Kona. Remember
that Hawai’i is an archipelago of various islands, of which O’ahu, which hosts
the state capital, Honolulu, is perhaps the best-known.
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Mariechen Puchert / youthjournalism.org
Flowers for sale at the Hilo Farmer’s Market in Hilo, Hawai’i
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Hilo is
not the stereotypical Hawaiian town. I should note that many locals do wear the
popular Hawaiian shirt, so perhaps that part of my preconceived ideas was
slightly on point.
not the stereotypical Hawaiian town. I should note that many locals do wear the
popular Hawaiian shirt, so perhaps that part of my preconceived ideas was
slightly on point.
But attending
a free Hula show, followed by a free Hula class in the community center was an
eye-opener. Hula is the traditional Hawaiian dance, and you may have seen the
vigorous hip-shaking and scantily clad ladies doing these dances in films, even
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch.
a free Hula show, followed by a free Hula class in the community center was an
eye-opener. Hula is the traditional Hawaiian dance, and you may have seen the
vigorous hip-shaking and scantily clad ladies doing these dances in films, even
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch.
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Mariechen Puchert / youthjournalism.org
A trail at Volcanoes National Park
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The
Hula that I witnessed was calm and sensual, and performed by both men and
women. The accompanying music does make use of the ukulele and rhythm sticks,
but the result is harmonious and far from clichéd. Watching some very
accomplished Hula dancers and musicians was a highlight of my short visit to
Hilo.
Hula that I witnessed was calm and sensual, and performed by both men and
women. The accompanying music does make use of the ukulele and rhythm sticks,
but the result is harmonious and far from clichéd. Watching some very
accomplished Hula dancers and musicians was a highlight of my short visit to
Hilo.
Later I
hopped on the Hele-on bus with some of my fellow students. Destination:
Volcanoes National Park. The Hele-on bus serves Hilo and surrounds, at $1 per
person. With student IDs, we could ride for free, which was a wonderful
reprieve.
hopped on the Hele-on bus with some of my fellow students. Destination:
Volcanoes National Park. The Hele-on bus serves Hilo and surrounds, at $1 per
person. With student IDs, we could ride for free, which was a wonderful
reprieve.
The
ride from Hilo to the volcanoes is a long 90 minutes, but as the trip
progressed, more and more locals joined the bus, and soon we had the
opportunity to talk with them and learn more about living in Hawai’i.
ride from Hilo to the volcanoes is a long 90 minutes, but as the trip
progressed, more and more locals joined the bus, and soon we had the
opportunity to talk with them and learn more about living in Hawai’i.
I find
that the best part of traveling is talking with locals.
that the best part of traveling is talking with locals.
I spoke
to a few people who support the call for Hawaiian sovereignty. Some just want
tribal sovereignty, while others want a secession. I also spoke to many
Hawaiians who are quite happy to be citizens of the United States of America.
It was interesting to see that those of Polynesian, Asian and Caucasian descent
are seen on both sides of the debate.
to a few people who support the call for Hawaiian sovereignty. Some just want
tribal sovereignty, while others want a secession. I also spoke to many
Hawaiians who are quite happy to be citizens of the United States of America.
It was interesting to see that those of Polynesian, Asian and Caucasian descent
are seen on both sides of the debate.
The
Volcanoes National Park is a beautifully-preserved rainforest, hosting the
active volcanoes Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
Volcanoes National Park is a beautifully-preserved rainforest, hosting the
active volcanoes Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
I never
imagined that I would walk on a live volcano. It was pouring with rain, but the
scenery was amazing and we did a steep hike. There are hiking trails good for a
short visit of two hours as well as for a longer visit.
imagined that I would walk on a live volcano. It was pouring with rain, but the
scenery was amazing and we did a steep hike. There are hiking trails good for a
short visit of two hours as well as for a longer visit.
One has
to be careful, of course. There are areas that clearly forbid entry and,
keeping in mind that it is an active volcano, it is probably a good idea to
abide by such directions.
to be careful, of course. There are areas that clearly forbid entry and,
keeping in mind that it is an active volcano, it is probably a good idea to
abide by such directions.
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Mariechen Puchert / youthjouranalism.org
The Hilo Farmer’s Market sells a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers and much more.
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Visiting
the well-known Hilo Farmer’s Market was another wonderful experience. We gorged
ourselves and cheap and delicious fruits. I had the opportunity to meet a
gentleman who makes herbal lotions and oils as alternative remedies to
allopathic medicine. He believes that herbal remedies guide one’s life force
into repairing the body as it knows best, and many Hawaiians believe the same.
the well-known Hilo Farmer’s Market was another wonderful experience. We gorged
ourselves and cheap and delicious fruits. I had the opportunity to meet a
gentleman who makes herbal lotions and oils as alternative remedies to
allopathic medicine. He believes that herbal remedies guide one’s life force
into repairing the body as it knows best, and many Hawaiians believe the same.
The
Hawaiian people I met are very spiritual and live with a sense of community I
haven’t often seen in other Western places. They are also incredibly kind and
helpful and made all Semester at Sea students feel welcome.
Hawaiian people I met are very spiritual and live with a sense of community I
haven’t often seen in other Western places. They are also incredibly kind and
helpful and made all Semester at Sea students feel welcome.
I hear
that a vacation in Honolulu is great fun, but for a culturally-rich experience,
I would certainly encourage traveling to Hilo – and doing so with an open mind.
that a vacation in Honolulu is great fun, but for a culturally-rich experience,
I would certainly encourage traveling to Hilo – and doing so with an open mind.
Mariechen Puchert, a South African medical student, is taking a Semester at Sea voyage that will take her nearly all the way around the globe.
