President Barack Obama, just reelected, has come home for the holidays.
Hawaii may not have a white Christmas for his family (unless snow blesses our Big Island mountains), but the raw beauty and affable cultural milieu of his boyhood island home offer the possibility of a deep respite at this critical time in history.
Some media folks criticize the cost of Obama’s vacation, but I think it will be worth every penny, if he uses the time to restore not only his mind and body, but the once-vibrant vision and confidence that launched his presidential quest in 2008. Back then, the hope and change he promised were fresh and expansive, energizing a citizenry tired of congressional acrimony, K Street badgering, and Wall Street greed.
From an islander’s perspective, Washington is a lolo (crazy) place. What normal human being wouldn’t be vexed by the ignorant assertions and vicious attacks that pass for debate, while brand-name pundits and faux journalists nitpick and naysay almost everything?
Imagine the impact of this disingenuousness — madness really — on an intelligent, idealistic, grassroots leader. Obama’s early multicultural experiences in Hawaii and Indonesia and his political work in South Side Chicago girded him with a solid foundation and astute insights few national leaders possess. No wonder he looks so tired.
Hawaii’s far-flung shores could provide some welcome down-time away from all that. It’s not just the islands’ stunning beauty and slower pace, or that you can still find a remote beach or quiet mountain peak on which to gain a broader perspective. Hawaii operates under different rules — island rules — that require higher standards of cooperation, generosity and authenticity in personal and community relations.
In his seminal memoir, "Dreams from My Father," Obama recalled the values instilled by his mother: "honesty, fairness, straight talk and independent judgment." That’s exactly what the nation needs now — and voted for in 2008 and again last month. The president’s Hawaii vacation — if he uses it wisely — could help him restore the more expansive perspective he once held and muster the courage to stand strong on behalf of the citizenry.
Mr. President, may I offer, with aloha, these suggestions for your trip (not for photo-ops but as "soul-ops"):
» Breathe deeply the islands’ fresh air, for as Hawaiian kupuna (revered elders) teach, our ha (breath) carries a life force that infuses our words and deeds.
» Spend ample time in the sea — sometimes alone — for waves and sea winds cleanse and fortify the soul.
» Visit the mountains — holy places to Native Hawaiians — where broader perspectives can be obtained. Indeed, consider visiting the summit of Kilauea with your family, to stand at night on the caldera’s rim and witness the molten glow of the lava lake inside Halemaumau Crater. A close encounter with our planet’s creative forces will put the pretentious nonsense of Washington into proper perspective.
» Visit some Hawaiian kupuna. The company of wise elders, grounded in deeper realities, is always fortifying. These people, over generations, have mastered the ability to resist opposing forces while keeping faith with aloha.
» Reread your beautiful memoir, for it contains uncanny wisdom for an author then so young.
A renewal here in the land of aloha could inspire your vision over the next four years and ensure a legacy of genuine hope and change.
