Maui Magic

by Terry Ambrose

  “Better watch it, McKenna.” Chance sniggered. “You might say something you’ll regret at the wrong time.”

  “No worries. I’m impressed how she can pull her rolling bag all by herself and keep up with those two. Besides, I’m determined to get in her good graces. I’ve made up my mind.” At least, on that subject. The bigger question was, what would he say about my proposal idea?

  Chance walked along with his head tilted back and his attention on the soaring ceilings. “I’m impressed with this airport. My dad’s been considering a trip to Honolulu, but he’s always complaining about not being able to get away. I think this trip is his way of luring me back to the mainland.”

  “You two are getting along better?”

  “Kind of.” Chance eyed the restaurants and stores. “They’ve got a good variety for such a small island.”

  I nodded absently. This was my opportunity—my few moments alone with Chance. It was the first time since I’d made my decision. I didn’t want to do the small talk thing—airport amenities, the weather, and all those other insignificant details didn’t matter. No, it was time to get into the meat of things, as the saying goes. Tell him my plan. I took a deep breath and began. “Look, I’ve had a conversation with Alexander. It concerns Benni.”

  “Sounds serious.” Chance frowned. His blue eyes narrowed. “Is there a problem?”

  “No. He’s her brother and wants what’s best for her. He said if I want to marry her…”

  “What? You? Marriage?” He gawked at me for a moment, then inclined his head toward the girls.

  We’d reached the central courtyard which was the hub for travelers. The girls veered right just past a gigantic planter with seating that encircled the indoor landscaping. Travelers sat on the bench around the planter, each maintaining a discrete distance from their neighbor. Chance and I followed our little troupe to the right, out of the main lobby and into baggage claim.

  To my surprise, Chance’s outburst had gone unnoticed by the others. My heart hammered in my chest. I’d only told Alexander, and now the circle of those “in the know” had doubled in size.

  “Oh, yeah, guess I left that part out. I’m considering asking her to marry me. At my age, finding someone like her is not going to happen again. The whole thing scares me to death.”

  “Why? You two are great together.” He nodded with conviction. “I’m happy for you. Both of you. This way you don’t wind up waiting all your life like Mrs. Nakamura.”

  He was right. The old woman might be in her nineties, but she had as much pep as I did. “On the plane, she told Benni those few years with her husband were enough love to last a lifetime. How do I know what I have with Benni will last?”

  I dodged to one side as a runaway toddler darted between us. His mother scooted along behind him, arms extended as though to scoop him up. “Charlie! Stop, Mommy told you to stop.” She glanced up at me in passing. “Sorry, so sorry. He got away.”

  No kidding. Chance had a smile on his face. I caught him glancing in Lexie’s direction. Oh man, he had it bad. As far as I knew, so did Lexie.

  I glanced over my shoulder and watched as Charlie’s mother scooped him up in her arms and buried kisses on his neck as she scolded him for being a “naughty boy.”

  Maybe bringing up my decision in a crowded airport had not been a good idea. I felt compelled to hit the delay switch, and poked Chance in the side. “How long before you pop the question?”

  Chance stopped and crossed his arms over his chest. “Nuh, uh. You don’t get to change the subject on this one. Why do you think it won’t last with Benni?”

  We were standing in front of the Starbucks in baggage claim and the girls were now a good fifty feet ahead of us. If we didn’t hurry up, they’d figure out something was wrong. There’d be questions. None of which I was prepared to answer yet. “We’d better hurry before they finish the trip without us.”

  Chance snickered as he gazed at Mrs. Nakamura. “No worries. Just look for her hat. You can’t miss it. Besides, the car’s in my name.”

  We’d each brought only one carry-on bag, even Mrs. Nakamura. She’d be here the longest because she was staying with her granddaughter after we left. The rest of us just had enough for the weekend and baggage claim was only a route to the rental cars. Ahead, the girls were still chatting nonstop and hadn’t even noticed we were missing.

  If I thought Chance was going to let me off the hook, I was wrong. He gave me a few seconds, then said, “It’s the age difference, isn’t it?”

  The girls stopped just outside the exit doors. We were less than twenty feet away. A wall of glass was the only thing between us. “I…I don’t know. I’m hoping to figure it out while we’re here. There’s something about Maui. Yah?”

  “No way, McKenna, you can’t drop a bomb like marriage and then not say anything more.”

  “It will have to do for now, buddy.” I darted through the double doors and waved for the others to follow. “Come on, let’s go. Mrs. Nakamura wants to see her granddaughter.”

  3

  We boarded the bus to pick up our rental car along with ten other people and their bags. While the driver humped the luggage from the sidewalk into the bus, we laughed and carried on. The ride was short, and the line to the rental agents mercifully quick. On our previous trip, Benni and I had spent an excruciating hour inching forward through snaking switchbacks. This time, we were through the line and Chance had finished the paperwork in under thirty minutes.

  Chance had rented a Cadillac Escalade and when the agent handed over the keys, Lexie did a double take.

  “You got a truck?”

  Chance grimaced. “It’s an SUV, Lex. You’ll have no trouble with it. I promise.”

  “You’re going to make me drive it? I’m used to something small.”

  “We can’t fit five people in a Fiat.”

  Benni and I were standing close enough to hear the conversation, but not so close as to seem like intruders. When Chance winked at Lexie and smiled, her resistance seemed to melt.

  Benni tugged on my arm and whispered, “That’s not fair. He’s way too cute.”

  Mrs. Nakamura nodded at Lexie. “Do not underestimate her. She has spunk.”

  She emphasized the last word, and it was my turn to do a double take. Mrs. Nakamura chuckled, a twinkle in her eyes. “Oh, I see. Mr. McKenna believes me to be only a prim-and-proper old schoolteacher. It is unfortunate you were not in my fourth-grade class.”

  I pressed my hand to my chest. “Me? I grew up on the mainland. In LA.” The truth is, I was glad I hadn’t been in her class because she might have held me back—forever.

  “Not my problem,” Mrs. Nakamura said with a another chuckle.

  Lexie approached, glanced at Benni, and muttered, “Boys and their toys.”

  I must admit the truck did give us plenty of room and a feeling of invincibility. And, it seated five people comfortably. Chance and Lexie were up front, Mrs. Nakamura was on the window behind Lexie, Benni in the middle, and I had the seat behind Chance.

  The Honoapi‘ilani Highway ran from Wailuku, through miles of open land to Mā‘alaea, where it turned and followed the coast to Lāhainā. As we traveled northwest, Chance continually snuck glimpses at the inland mountains. Finally, my curiosity got the better of me.

  “You’ve been looking mauka since we left Mā‘alaea, Chance. You’re driving along some of the most beautiful coastline in the world, but you aren’t the least bit interested. What’s up with that?”

  “My dad’s been considering investing over here,” he said. “The funny thing is, he’s never been to Hawai‘i. He never had an interest. Now he’s consumed by this burning urge to swoop in and totally develop the island.”

  “And you’re convinced he has ulterior motives.”

  Lexie turned sideways and craned her neck toward me. “Chance thinks his dad
wants to get him back into the family business.”

  Ah, so Dad wanted his boy to do more than return to the mainland. “You could do whatever you wanted if you went back. Yah?”

  “Almost right, McKenna.” Chance spoke over his shoulder. “I could do whatever my dad wanted. It’s no problem to do some scouting while we’re here, but I’ve learned a lot since I got here. The locals won’t want another outsider coming in to build up the island.”

  Lexie draped one arm over the back of the seat. She looked eager to dig into the our little debate, but before she could utter a single word, Mrs. Nakamura scolded her. “Sit forward, child. You are in an unsafe position.”

  And here I thought the old bat had been gazing out at the scenery. What did she have, ninja vision?

  “Sorry, Auntie.” Lexie winced, then sat forward and spoke over her shoulder. “I’ve tried to explain about kama‘āina and how difficult the local politics can be. My family’s been here for generations and there are still times when I get dirty looks because I don’t look Hawaiian enough.”

  On my right, Benni shook her head. “Trust me, Lexie, it works both ways. Resentment and discrimination know no bounds.”

  Mrs. Nakamura’s comment was barely audible. “Amen, child.”

  “Time out.” I made a T with my hands. “This is a vacation. Let’s focus on having fun. I’m sorry I asked the question.”

  “Yes,” said Mrs. Nakamura in a voice loud and clear. “We should not discuss delicate issues. No politics, religion, or land development. I am sure we each have strong opinions on such difficult subjects.” Sweetly, she added, “Mr. McKenna would not want us to argue.”

  “Well said, Auntie.” Benni nodded firmly and laughed.

  Mrs. Nakamura snickered. “Yes, otherwise, when I arrive home, Mr. McKenna might send me packing.” She cackled and exchanged a high five with Benni.

  I bit my tongue. This was a part of the old woman I hadn’t seen in my four years as her landlord. One thing was sure, if anyone in this truck had a sharper tongue than mine, it was Mrs. Nakamura.

  “No worries, we wouldn’t want to lose you.” Chance said. “It looks like there isn’t any water here, anyway, and this road is only two lanes. My dad is too smart to tackle a problem this big without local backing.”

  “There’s water,” Benni said. “But, it’s poisoned. Too many years of pineapple and sugar ruling the islands.”

  The next thing I knew, the discussion turned to water rights and conservation. Benni and Lexie took the side of the locals, Chance took the big business perspective. Mrs. Nakamura and I stayed silent. Chance was fighting a losing battle, and I saw no reason to make it three against one. The ladies were holding their own. Twice, Mrs. Nakamura nodded appreciatively and smiled. Her students were doing her proud, and I wanted to stay out of the line of fire when she sent off her next zinger.

  A few miles outside of Lāhainā, Chance pulled over at the Olowalu juice stand. Boxes of papayas, mangoes, pineapple, and vegetables were all available under the shade of umbrellas and trees. Mrs. Nakamura dutifully donned her floppy hat the moment she stepped out of the truck. The three girls had a grand time shopping while Chance and I stood under a tree near our ride and watched.

  “How about that Mrs. Nakamura?” asked Chance. “She’s a pistol.”

  “I’m learning a lot about her. Look, you should be aware that tensions can run high on this island. Maui has plenty of environmental activists. Sugar and pineapple were the only life previous generations knew. So many people have woken up and want nothing to do with it, but the only other option is tourism.”

  “I don’t get it, McKenna. The tourists bring jobs. Better roads. Better housing.”

  “Do you know how many people have to work three of those low-paying jobs to survive thanks to the high price tag that comes with living in paradise? I’m just saying, tread lightly. We’re all friends, but say the wrong thing and there are those who will not be so receptive or polite.”

  I couldn’t help but notice Chance shot a glance at Mrs. Nakamura.

  “Got it.” He watched the cars crawl by on the two-lane highway, a frown on his face. He pointed at the road. “Is it always like this?”

  “Not first thing in the morning.”

  “Widen the road and the traffic would flow much better.”

  I took a deep sigh. “Were you listening? At all?”

  “Of course I was. All I’m saying is it could help. So, you never answered me about Benni. When are you planning to pop the question?”

  The chatter of the three women caught my attention. Our little band of shoppers returned, each carrying one of the reusable shopping bags we’d brought with us. Benni’s bulged with her purchases.

  “Looks like you found a few things,” I said.

  She pressed the bag into my arms. “Make yourself useful.”

  “Sherpa McKenna reporting for duty, ma’am.” I clutched the bag with my arms wrapped around it. Good grief, this sucker was heavy. She had enough fruit in here to feed an army.

  Chance must have felt guilty and grabbed Lexie’s bag, then Mrs. Nakamura’s. He said, “Ready to go?”

  I know I was—before I dropped a bag full of fresh fruit in the dirt.

  4

  Mrs. Nakamura’s granddaughter lived in a residential development east of Lāhainā. The homes in this neighborhood were typical middle-class, the same as you would find anywhere in the country. Most were two stories with a carport. Carports, not garages, were the popular option and the retaining walls were lava rock, not the cinder block you’d find on the mainland.

  Bright exteriors were interspersed with muted earth tones. If an association governed the homeowners in this development, the rules on paint colors had to be few and far between.

  Yoshiko and Hisao Fujita’s front yard was a miniature Japanese garden and included statues, topiary, a pond, and a curving walkway which led to the red front door. A fountain burbled off to the right, filling the alcove with peace and tranquility. I wouldn’t be surprised if the landscaping had been handled by a feng shui expert.

  We all agreed with Mrs. Nakamura as she surveyed the yard and said, “They have done well.”

  Benni nodded. “You should be very proud of your granddaughter, Auntie. This is a house of good fortune.”

  Mrs. Nakamura rang the bell, and the door opened a few seconds later. The man who greeted us was taller than Chance. I’d guess him to be six-two, and he probably weighed around two-hundred pounds. He had receding jet-black hair, slicked back and trimmed short. His intense eyes softened the instant he saw Mrs. Nakamura.

  “Soba!” He squealed as he scooped up his frail grandmother to hug her.

  The woman who scared me to death reminded me of a small doll in his arms. Her legs dangled. Her toes barely touched the sidewalk. She laughed. “Mago, put me down.”

  A man of Hisao Fujita’s size could have crushed the bony old woman, but he set her down and bowed to her, then us. We went through a round of introductions, and he invited us inside to sit.

  He led us to a seating area, gestured for us to make ourselves comfortable, and said he’d let Yoshiko know we were here. The furniture was elegant island style. Koa wood. Colorful tropical prints. Comfortable cushions and glass-topped low tables.

  All eyes were on Yoshiko Fujita as she entered the room. Mrs. Nakamura’s eyes lit up and she smiled at her very pregnant granddaughter. From her distinct waddle to the size of her belly, all signs pointed to a woman ready to deliver any day. The poor girl looked like she carried triplets.

  Mrs. Nakamura jumped up and the two women embraced. They chattered in Japanese briefly, then Mrs. Nakamura turned to us and lowered her head. “Please forgive me. I have not seen my granddaughter in many years.”

  “It’s okay,” I said.

  She shook her head. “No, I have always felt one should not be ru
de by using a different language in the presence of guests who do not speak it.”

  “Don’t worry, Auntie.” Benni gazed at the three of us. “We all understand.”

  We nodded and smiled. It was the first time I’d ever seen a contrite Mrs. Nakamura. Maybe there was a first time for everything. I admired the art work on the walls, the furnishings, and the pristine tile floors. “Hisao, Yoshiko, you have a beautiful home.”

  Hisao nodded as he sat. “We are delighted that you like it.”

  I gestured at two large charcoal sketches hanging on the far wall. One depicted reeds in a lake with a little girl kneeling at the water’s edge. The other outlined the stems and flowers of an orchid. “Those two pieces are lovely.”

  Yoshiko bowed slightly. “Thank you.” She lowered herself into a nearby chair and let out a sigh when she settled in. Her smile was quick. “Everything is an effort these days.”

  “My wife is very modest, McKenna. She would never say, but the sketches are her work. If you visit any of the galleries in Lāhainā, you may see more.”

  “She’s very talented,” I said. “I wish I had half that creativity.”

  “I feel the same.” Hisao chuckled. “I have no artistic talent and feel at times as though I am a modern-day samurai. Always fighting battles; never truly content.” His eyes bored into me. “From what Soba has told me, you are much the same.”

  The thought of comparing myself to a young man such as Hisao embarrassed me for a reason I didn’t quite understand. “I’m not sure about fighting battles. I have been finding an inordinate number of murders since arriving in the islands.”

  Well, rats. Once again, I’d somehow become the center of attention. That wasn’t going to last long, not if I could help it. “So, Hisao, I understand you’re involved in the Four Rivers battle.”

  “Na Wai ‘Ehā.” Hisao’s eyes flashed.