Week Four - Hawaiian Hospitality

In a Marianist environment, like that of UD and Chaminade, a lot of attention is placed on the concept of community. It is somewhat of a self-fufilling prophecy by which I mean the mere idea of living in a great community further persuades those living within it to actively make the community great. That is not meant as a knock against it, but rather serves to explain how it works. Regardless, Chaminade is no different than UD in its idea of community and the thought that a better community atmosphere aids in developing everyone further individually.

There is no better example of that than this past weekend. A weekend that features not one, not two, but THREE free meals for the UD exchange students in Hawaii.

The first was a pizza lunch courtesy of Dean Grissel on Friday between classes for all of the exchange students. The pizza was provided by the SilverSword Cafe', one of my favorites. The purpose of the lunch meeting was for Dean Grissel to introduce herself, ask if we had any questions and make sure our transition to life in Hawaii and at Chaminade was a smooth one. She is a lovely lady who really cares about her students and what they have to contribute.

The second act of hospitality led us to unchartered territory on Saturday evening, a good seven blocks past campus and seven blocks further than any of us have ever wondered. This adventure on the bus and the short (by that I, of course, mean long) walk led us to the home of Barbara Belle. She is a member of the Chaminade faculty and formerly worked at the University of Dayton. She invited all the exchange students (from St. Mary's in San Antonio and UD) to her home for home made lagsana, sausage, salad and dessert. It was a lovely meal and bit of home cooked goodness hard to find around any college campus.

The third free meal of the weekend led us to the home of the president of the university, President Sue (as she asks to be called). Her and her husband, Tom, invited all the exchange students as well.

Tom, who just so happens to be a gormet chef, cooked a tremendous brunch. He kept refilling our plates and insisting we eat more. His mantra: God wants you to eat more. How can you say no to that? So, I ate more. I had three helpings of a kiche-like dish, which I know was not kiche, but something very similar to it - only better.

The food was spectacular and their home was beautiful. It was in a neighborhood right next to the famed Wailaie Country Club. It was a nice change of scenery and provided yet another much needed home-cooked meal.

The people here sure are friendly. It might have something to do with the small size of the school. Most people I talked to about the brunch at President Sue's said they love going there and have been there multiple times. So this isn't just for the exchange students. They (administration) really want to get to know everyone. I was very impressed and appreciative of all the hospitality thrown our way over the past weekend.

It all must lead back to the concept of community. When everyone works together to create and foster a great community atmosphere, individuals succeed which in turn allows the community to succeed.

And we didn't hate the free meals either.

Even Happy Hours are Better Here.

To spice things up a little bit, and just to add something I contributed to another blog written by other Dayton Exchange Students (Luke and Garrett) in Hawaii I've added the following here. It's a must read for anybody that loves a good happy hour, and let's be honest, who doesn't? Enjoy...

We're diving into a world known to few, and lived by even fewer. It is the land of the four-hour happy hour.

That’s right. You read that right. Four hours of happy. That’s not a happy hour. That’s a happy 1/6 of your day. Our happy sixth happens to fall on each and every Wednesday here on the island.

Wednesday’s here are days men only dream of. It starts out with class (or the beach if you only go to class twice a week…damn you Garrett) which leads right into Max Out Wednesday at the Silver Sword. Another class follows and then before you know it it’s time to head to On Stage for the first of two stops.

As Dayton students, our reputation preceeded us. The bartender, Dave, seemed to already know of UD and the exchange program that brings UD kids here every year.

Dave appreciates UD kids because, as Luke contends, UD kids always out number other guests at On Stage. That is especially true for Wednesday happy hour from 5-7 featuring $1.50 drafts and $5 pitchers, darts and billards.

After On Stage happy hour, the crew heads for the Karaoke Hut which features $2 domestic bottles and enough karaoke to make a grown man cry. Things pick up pace at the Hut. After enjoying all that On Stage has to offer for a rather affordable price, let’s just say, we’re all feeling a little more happy.

Four hours after we started (around nine o’clock) our happy sixth is essentially over. That is, of course, if you don’t count the meal we have before going home…

Last week? Burgers on the Edge. Group consensus: Good not great and too expensive.

Last night? Hawaiian BBQ. Group consensus: A…wait for it…MAZING.

Beverages were consumed. Fun was had, and most importantly, great food was eaten.

So the next time you find yourself bored on a Wednesday night just be happy. Smile because, as the saying goes, it is 5 o’clock somewhere. Or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9.

Happiness is not an hour (or even four) its a state of mind. Every hour is my happy hour. Some just so happen to be more happy than others.


I'll be back Tuesday with my normal weekly narrative. Until then, Alhoa.