Oahu, Not What I Remember

I left Oahu for the service in early 2010’s. Perhaps most of Gen Z and younger don’t remember or weren’t alive, but the islands were very different in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.

Growing up in Wahiawa and Kalihi, I remember Hawaii as the state that led the nation in crystal meth abuse and homelessness per capita. DARE was very active in schools and some of my peers had some stuff at home that kids shouldn’t have to be burdened with. Homelessness is still rampant but seeing more families and local businesses thriving—modernizing, and having survived COVID is beyond heart-warming.

Our younger millennials and Gen-Z’er’s are getting a degree. Some of them leaving for the mainland to build something for themselves. Some choosing to stay and are wielding, in my opinion, sharper tools to succeed than the now 35-55 year olds did.

It is unreal coming back to the islands as an older man seeing how much the community has rallied and done the most with everything they had.

Way to fucking go people. Sincerely such a sight to see.