There’s ample cause for celebration whenever Elwood Asing and his wife, Pam, make it back to Honolulu for a visit.
It doesn’t happen nearly often enough for Asing’s siblings. Prior to his most recent visit, the last time Asing ventured away from his adopted Las Vegas home was a year and a half ago.
For the Asing clan, having Elwood and Pam back home these days also brings a measure of relief and optimism. It means Uncle Woody is healthy enough to travel.
Asing, 74, a former Honolulu firefighter and Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki security guard, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of cancer, in 2011. After a two-year remission, the cancer returned this past year.
Despite ongoing chemotherapy, Asing shows little ill effect this time around. He tires a little easier than he used to, but his appetite remains intact — a far cry from three years ago when he survived on store-bought poi ($10 a bag at Walgreens) and lost 45 pounds.
"I’ve had three cobblers and two slices of pie so far," Elwood announced at a recent family gathering in his honor. "My appetite is fine."
Asing grew up in the McCully area and was a standout running back at McKinley High School. After graduation he entered the Army, serving in the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky.
After his discharge, Asing returned to Hawaii and found work at Hawaiian Airlines and Dean Van Lines before joining the Honolulu Fire Department and picking up a second job at the Hawaii Prince.
Asing retired from the Fire Department in 1995 and from the hotel five years later. Fully vested retirement money in hand, he then made like so many local retirees and moved to Vegas.
"The housing market was good," Asing said. "I wanted to have a house, and we couldn’t afford that in Hawaii."
But while Vegas has its charms, the pull of home grows stronger every year.
Asing and his wife, who recently retired after 37 years at United Airlines, dream of one day returning for good. In the meantime, Asing’s health permitting, they make the most of their too-brief visits.
At Monday’s party, Asing’s sister Ellarene grabbed an ukulele and beckoned her siblings Maydell, Arlene and Sylvia to sing along:
I could wander the byways with somebody new
but it wouldn’t be the same without you.
Asing sat back in his chair, contented, and for a moment it was as if they were all back at the old family home on Citron Street.
Those familiar old places would only make me blue
’cause it wouldn’t be the same without you.
Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@staradvertiser.com.
