Another Random Encounter In Hawaii

[photo by ben hanusa]

Every morning I’m blessed to go to Ala Moana beach park and walk around a beautiful park and watch the sunrise.  It is probably one of the best ways to get your blood flowing and start your day.

Up until recently I had also been jumping in the ocean after my walk.  However, it’s now starting to get “cold.”   And this weekend after the storm, there was a 5000 gallon, half treated sewage spill in the harbor.  So needless to say I’m staying out of the water.

My morning walks have become a part of my morning routine.  I actually walk with a different guy from base each morning.  This is a great way to get some one on one time with people.  My navigator roots still believe in the importance of one on one discipleship.

All of the guys I walk with are in Kona this week for YWAM’s cooperate week, where the Hawaiian islands get together.  So this morning Jess and her fellow SBS staff member Ana went with me and ran while I walked.  Jess and Ana are on week 2 of couch to 5k.  It’s been a year since Jess’ knee surgery and last week was the first week she tried running.

As I parked and was getting out of my car, an African American guy said good morning to me as he walked past my car.  I said “howzit” trying to give my best pidgn.  He said to me “you know your headlights are oxidized.”  I said I knew and then he launched into his sales spiel.  Something about how his car had gotten broken into recently, and how his wife was pregnant.

I listened.  I had bought a do it home kit for headlight restoration and it didn’t work.  I actually always am complaining that my headlights aren’t very bright.  I like bright lights, and clear windshields.

He got to the bottom line and said that he would clean each headlight for $5 a piece.  I asked him if I could pay him after I walked and checked to see if I had my emergency $20 with me.  I agreed to him cleaning them and he ran off to his van and I took my walk.

Hawaii 5-0 was shooting in the park.  They had a fake “Shrimp-A-Polooza” set up, with picnic tables and fake food at the vendor booths.  The crew was eating a catered breakfast.  (I was jealous, I love breakfast meat.)   I don’t think I saw anyone famous, they probably didn’t show up until much later, or were in the hair and makeup trailers.

As we all headed back to the car, the guy was wiping down my whole car.  (Waterless car washes are a big thing here, there are businesses that set up in parking lots and detail cars, is that a thing on the mainland too?)  Jess and Ana went and stretched and I talked with the guy, our conversation went something like this:

“Just practicing man, how long were you gone?  A half hour?  There are young guys that can’t do this.  I’m 51, you don’t need 5 Micronesians to do this for you and take hours.  Are you a teacher man?”

“Uh, no, my wife and I work with Youth With A Mission a Christian Missions Organization.”

“Oh, Jesus, yeah, Jesus.  Man I don’t worry about sh*t with Jesus man.  I mean, I worry for like 5 minutes and then I remember yeah, Jesus.”

“Uh, (nervous chuckle) awesome man, that’s right.”

“Alright man, let me just wipe this down and I’ll be done.  Did you run?”

“No I just walked, my wife ran though.”

“Yeah there is no better work out than this man, I get my squats in.  Alright, I’m almost done.”

“I’ve only got $20 since we agreed on $10 for the headlights.”

“No worries man, just advertise for me.  I usually post on craigslist, but you know Asians, they like to do what their friends do, so tell your friends.”

“Thanks man, the headlights look great, I appreciate the hustle.”

And that was that.

I got a clean car and headlights as I walked, and this guys hustle (albiet probably illegal solicitation) and hard work paid off.  He made $20 in a half hour.

I like a clean car, but haven’t been keeping it clean.  It’s been a year since I waxed the thing.  Shame on me.

So here’s my advertisement for the guy.  I don’t know his name.  Or how to contact him, and I looked him up on craigslist and nothing.  -Shrug-.. I tried.