Helpful Questions / Things to Consider for this In-Class Essay:
| 1. As a reader and as a student, how does Chan's introduction appeal/not-appeal to you? How does Chan attempt to appeal to his audience with this introduction? Does the introduction set up the thesis statement well? |
| 2. In what way(s) does Waikiki's history tie in to Chan's thesis? In other words, how does Waikiki's history convey "a sense of surreal happiness, which always relieves . . . stress?" |
| 3. What natural or scenic aspects of Waikiki as depicted by Chan are consistent with the thesis statement—the idea that these natural or scenic aspects can relieve stress? What are Chan's most successful descriptions and why? |
| 4. Discuss the "human element" found in Waikiki—the various people who visit, work or reside there. In what ways can the human element promote a sense of excitement, prompting oneself or Chan, to feel a bit of freedom away from one's stressful routine? |
| 5. How does Chan's narrative assessment of Waikiki, mainly focused on Sunset on the Beach or the Cheesecake Factory effectively or not effectively uphold his thesis statement? Are your own narrative experiences regarding Sunset on the Beach or the Cheesecake Factory consistent/not consistent with the author's claims? Explain. |
| Extra credit: Discuss an aspect of Waikiki that is consistent with Chan's thesis—"Waikiki conveys a sense of surreal happiness, which always relieves my stress"—that is not covered in Chan's essay. The aspect may be narrative in nature; in other words, it can be consistent with your own life experience. |
KChan
Mr. Kubota
English 100
TTH 1215-1330
Essay #2, final draft
Waikiki: My Home Away From Home
Sometimes, people wish to have a place where they can escape reality—a getaway filled with tranquility to cope with stress. Eventually at some point, people could use a break. Luckily for me, I have found that place where I may retreat—a place where I can be worry-free. That place is Waikiki, a magnificent resort located among the Southeast shores of Oahu. Just about every aspect within Waikiki conveys a sense of surreal happiness, which always relieves my stress.
Waikiki yields its name because it had literally been a place for “spouting water.” During the early 1900s, Waikiki was not always bustling with hundreds of people. In fact, before the era of skyscrapers, hotels and ABC stores, Waikiki lay dank as a marshland filled with its own ponds, streams, and springs. As a result, Waikiki inherited its name because of its ponds, streams, and springs that fed the nearby plants and native aquaculture.
Waikiki began to evolve as the early Hawaiians transformed its marshland. Water was drained from the land and ditches upon the ground were created for irrigation. As a result, Waikiki became filled with fishponds as well as fields used for growing taro. In the 1450’s, Waikiki was dubbed the capital of Oahu and became a hotspot where royalty resided for leisure: “Royalty held all day luaus with old friends, and surfed, swam, fished, drank, took naps, and did nothing at all—Waikiki’s noblest traditions” (Goldsberry 70). When "doing nothing," it meant that royalty relaxed under the shades of trees while eating foods only admitted to royalty such as seafood. By the 1900’s many ponds of Waikiki evolved into duck ponds as a result of the Chinese immigrants. Today, only parts of Waikiki’s history remain: the former streams of early Waikiki continue to be present, flowing into Ala Wai Canal as well as the descendents of ducks that can be found swimming in the Ala Wai Canal.
Caught up by its rapturous qualities, the surf spot of Waikiki, Canoes, compels me to consistently return. About the same time that I began high school, I became a local beachgoer of Canoes, which is named after the numerous canoes that are constantly being paddled into shore and back out. Throughout the past several decades, Canoes has become a common local and tourist hangout located beside the Moana Surfrider and in front of the Duke Kahanamoku statue. I love to sit in that water with either a bodyboard or a surfboard regardless if there are waves or not, especially under a scorching day. The heat of the sun only becomes neutralized by the coolness of the water. In addition, there is always a constant, gentle breeze flowing among the shore and sea of Canoes. On a bright, sunny day combined with a grand south swell, Waikiki’s Canoes becomes the ultimate getaway for hundreds of people as well. My speculation on why is because Canoes’ waves can handle even the strongest winds, allowing them to remain powerful, solid, smooth, and glassy throughout the entire day.
The view, as a speck in the ocean, conveys feelings opposite to that of nostalgia. As I glance towards the shore of Canoes, a sheltering sense is exerted upon me every time. Skyscrapers prevent visibility beyond Waikiki, enclosing the beaches as a bay. Only the prominent and mountainous Diamond Head Crater can be spotted past Waikiki’s tall structures, but only to support the surrounding sense even more—the serene sense of isolation in heaven with no interruptions. Meanwhile, the sun radiantly shines upon the vast ocean. Even among a day with partly cloudy skies, rays of the sun continue to glow through the thick cumulus clouds, portraying heavenly scenery. As the sun sets to ignite the dusky evening, multiple shades of orange burn brilliantly through visible clear skies. Not only is the overall beach setting a beautiful sight for beachgoers, but also for passersby of the Waikiki strip.
Even after a long day of board-riding, a fantastic element of Waikiki continues to relieve stress—entertainment. As I venture out onto the journey back to my car minutes before nightfall, I normally spot men who resemble the kukini—a group of men chosen to run as messengers—running through Waikiki, wearing nothing but a malo—a traditional Hawaiian loincloth worn by males. As they run with a flaming stick in one hand, they revive old Hawaiian traditions as they kindle torches that are preset into place. Meanwhile, local entertainers perform for everyone’s amusement. There are the usual robot performers, who paint themselves from head to toe in either silver or gold, and can stand remarkably frozen as if they were statues. However when money is donated from the throng of locals and tourists watching in bewilderment, the statues come alive; they create stiff movements, each accompanied by a robotic whistle of the performer, as if they were real robots. Familiar as well as bizarre music can be heard throughout Waikiki as artists can be caught playing instruments from accordions to xylophones. Throughout the evening, the torches combined with skyscraping hotel lights and exotic amusements continue to illuminate Waikiki’s midnight sky as well as provide fun entertainment for all witnesses.
Every weekend, I frequently return to Waikiki for its popular Sunset on the Beach event simply because it provides inner relaxation. Sunset on the Beach, which is situated across the enormous Kapiolani Park and beside Waikiki’s renowned bodyboarding spot, Walls (named after the distinct stone wall that appears adjacent to the spot), welcomes all people to attend as it is a free event. Honolulu’s former mayor, Jeremy Harris, created Sunset on the Beach in the year 2001 as an attempt to increase the wealth of the city as well as to incorporate more unity among the city people. With free music played by local bands and radio stations and food stands that emit a delicious tongue-drooling aroma followed by a free up-to-date movie projected onto a 30 feet screen, it was no doubt that Harris’ attempt would become an instant success. Currently, numerous people—like me—can be seen arriving during the early afternoon in anticipation to view Sunset on the Beach. In the meantime, the early moviegoers reserve the best seats with beach towels or bags before heading into or tanning near the exciting waters of Walls. By nightfall, Sunset on the Beach is always proven to be an effective event as it bustles with spectators in search of a nice hangout spot for the night.
On special occasions such as birthdays and family gatherings, there is no better way to share memorable moments than a happy meal together at Waikiki’s semi-new The Cheesecake Factory. I remember exactly what it was like the first time I had eaten there. It had been on my girlfriend’s birthday in which I had planned a surprise lunch for her. Inviting all of our closest friends, I had them grab a table while I lured my girlfriend out of the house by explaining that I wanted to watch a movie. Cruising down Waikiki due tons of time for the “movie,” I claimed that I wanted to check the prices on the cheesecakes. Dragging her into The Cheesecake Factory, it eventually led to her great surprise party. She was entirely shocked and I was ecstatic to see the look on her clueless face. Finally seated upon beige-cushioned round chairs with a wooden support circumnavigating around the back of our bodies—from waist to waist—we all stared into the menu only to realize that it was hard to choose with over 200 items on the menu. Shortly after deciding on what to order, the surrounding features of the restaurant caught my eyes—the dimness of the lights as well as numerous polished wooden designs decorated the environment perfectly for those special occasions. When our food came, I was startled at the size of each massive plate that had sat in front of us. It was one of those rare occasions in which I questioned if I could finish the entire meal; yet at the same time, I was excited to be presented with huge servings of food. Upon completion of our meal, my girlfriend had wondered how she was going to pay for her meal. We all teased, telling her that she would have to wash dishes. Through the laughs and giggles as well as pictures we took that day, it was no doubt a memorable moment at The Cheesecake Factory.
Waikiki’s surf spot, Canoes, as well as its evening street performers, Sunset on the Beach event, and The Cheesecake Factory are the reasons for why I love Waikiki. When I feel stressed out, Waikiki becomes my ultimate getaway as it conveys surreal happiness in which I cannot find anywhere else. Waikiki—simply put, is my home away from home.
References
Goldsberry, U'i, Steven Goldsberry, Curt Sanburn, Glen Grant, Waimea Williams,and Carrie Ching. A Pocket Guide to Diamond Head and Waikiki. 1st
ed. Honolulu, Hawaii: Mutual Publishing, 2002.
Sunset on the Beach Movie Schedule – Waikiki Events – Waikiki Beach Movie06 Sep. 2006. [Online]. Available:<http://www.sunsetonthebeach.net/>
Waikiki Beach Oahu, Hawaii’s Ilikai Hotel [Online].
Waikiki Beach Oahu, Hawaii’s Ilikai Hotel
11 Sep. 2006. [Online].
Available:<http://www.ilikaihotel.com/history.html>