Local attraction

After checking into the Marriott Waikiki Resort & Spa, I unpacked a bit and took a tour of the hotel grounds and made a quick trip down to Waikiki Beach to evaluate my surroundings. After all, I was a newbie to Waikiki, my only previous trip to Hawaii was to Maui.

Eventually, I showered up and was ready for action. I headed down Kalakaua Avenue a ways and cut left on Lewers Street. Not far up the block I saw the Yard House, and it was already going off. I found a seat at the bar and ordered my favorite beer, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, from their 100+ beers on tap.

I had a beer, then another, and finally the fat guy next to me left. Just after I ordered a big burger to get my drinking foundation going, a woman approached and asked if she could take the seat next to me. I obliged. She introduced herself as Tomika.

Tomika was having a problem finding a beer she liked, so the bartender recommended a Hefeweizen. She tried it, but then asked for a sip of mine. I warned her of the dangers of the Pale Ale and its acquired taste, but she tried it anyway. Then she offered me a sip of hers.

My food finally came and I could see Tomika longingly looking at my French fries.

"Mind if I have one?" she asked in her Japanese accent.

"Of course not," I said. Then she had a few more.

I was half way through my burger when I noticed Tomika talking to a man next to her. Then she introduced him to me. Ako, a native Hawaiian, was a surf instructor down on Waikiki beach.

I could tell Ako had already had a few pops before he made it to the bar, as he had that glossy eyed look and he ordered me a beer.

"Are you here on vacation?" asked Ako.

"Yes, just getting away from California," I said.

Tomika helped herself to some more of my fries.

"Why down you come down to the beach for a surfing lesson tomorrow?" asked Ako. "I'll only charge you half price. I'm not in it for the money, I like to teach people about the Hawaiian culture, and surfing is a big part of it."

The conversation went on and on, and I could see Tomika was getting bored. Finally Ako left to go to the rest room.

"Thanks for talking to Ako," said Tomika.

"Oh sure, no problem," I said.

"He's my boyfriend, and when we go out he gets drunk and then we don't talk much," she said.

"Greeaat," I said sarcastically, for a number of reasons.

"He also gets jealous of me," Tomika continued. "He thinks I flirt too much."

"I don't know why he'd think that," I said.

Ako came back and the alcohol was really taking hold. He stood in between Tomika and me and rambled on and on about surfing, his land and Hawaii.

Eventually, Tomika came back in the conversation and encouraged me to take a surfing lesson from Ako.

"Why don't you come down to the beach tomorrow morning?" Tomika said. "Just look for me at the beach. I'll meet you around 6:00 a.m."

"Um, that's unlikely," I said. "You come from California, you'll wake up early in Hawaii."

"We'll see," I said.

About then, Ako's wheels were falling off. Tomika paid their check.

"I see you tomorrow morning?" she asked again.

"Maybe, but I can't promise," I said. "It depends on how late I stay out tonight."

"Well, do you need a ride home?" she asked.

"No, no, I'm fine. I walked over," I said.

"Wow, all the way from the beach?" she asked.

"Yes, " I said. "It was only five or six blocks."

"Ok then, I need to get Ako home," she said. "I'll see you tomorrow."