Prints in the Sand: My Journey with Nanea

A couple of hours later, we are all standing outside the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, where I’ll meet up with my family. Nanea and Lily worry they won’t see me again. The government might tell me and my family to leave very suddenly, like with Donna’s family. Nanea’s shoulders fall a little as she says that having me here was like having a third kitten again. Lily suggests they write a letter to Donna and tell her all about me. Donna and I would like each other. We’re both a lot of fun.

I ask Nanea how you would say goodbye in hula. She says that it’s aloha, of course. I tell her it’s funny that one word means both hello and goodbye. She smiles and says aloha also means love. So, my friends and I don’t really say goodbye. We say aloha.

I wish I could write them letters, the way they write to Donna. But there is one friend I can write, too. Kayla. Maybe, we can stay in touch, too, just like the Three Kittens stay in touch across the ocean.

When Nanea and Lily leave, I hurry behind the hotel and lift the puka necklace over my head. I’m ready to say aloha to my family again. I see my brothers right away, still building a sand castle. I see Auntie Oli, too.

I cross the sandy beach, shield my eyes, and look up at Diamond Head. The volcano is still there, too. I say to myself, “It does look like a fish.” Auntie Oli overhears, and nods her head and says it’s Leahi. She asks if we should hike there someday. Me and my brothers all answer “Yes!” at the same time. Auntie Oli chuckles and says that we can’t do it today, but we will soon. We have time.

I smile. “Yes, we have lots of time.” We may be in Oahu for a while. And that’s okay with me.