I didn’t do much the night before except get a bite to eat nearby. I woke up bright and early to go to Huna Koa airfield. Upon arrival, it is exactly what the name means. Just a few miles away from the main airfield on Ford’s island it is well hidden except for a paved airstrip measuring at roughly 3,000 to 5,000 feet long with at least 5-6 hangars nearby. The purpose of Huna Koa is to repair and build small fighter planes from the Corsair to the Warhawk and anything in between. Knowing the dress code, I had on my normal makeup which includes my lips in a Victory Red shade, hair in almost a victory roll (more like my front hair in a combover and the rest in a wavy texture), trouser jumpsuit and hardy boots. I met up with Turner, a retired sergeant on the airfield. He finished his contract but willing to do manual labor for the military at Pearl. Turner is a muscular man, either in his 30s or early 40s, and a little rugged.

After a brief introduction he barked at the men to stand at the front of the hanger in a line, single file, because there’s someone here they’d meet. Is this a normal thing or is it because I’m the only female mechanic coming in, I asked myself. When we got in front of the the men, I can feel their gaze me, not in a frightening way but with curiosity. “Gentlemen, this is Ellisa Dawson of Michigan. She’s coming in to help up as a mechanic. Don’t underestimate her, I heard she’s the best. Remember to treat her like one of your own and no different,” Turner announced. There was silence in the audience except for one man at my 2 o’clock, snickering. The man in question is of muscular figure, curly blonde hair, freckles, and plump cheeks. “Why do we need a woman in the hangar? Shouldn’t they be working as nurses or even belong in the kitchen,” he remarked. With fire in my eyes and a burn in my gut, a walked up to him within arms reach. “Say that my face, fat head,” I challenged him, preparing myself to break his nose. “You heard me Princess. Why not you go back to the kitchen and stay there where you belong,” he sneered. Within a nanosecond, a balled up my fist, punched his nose so hard, he fell to the ground with a bloody nose. Honestly, it felt good; I haven’t busted anyone’s nose in a while. But this is the first time that I have an audience, and I felt a little nervous being kicked off the team here. “way to go bustin his chops and giving him the ol’ knuckle sandwich for lunch,” Turner praised. The other men had a changed look, it went from curiosity to fear, knowing they would get knuckle sandwiches, or busted noses, if they’re not careful.

So the rest of the day, they feared me but didn’t avoid me. They realized how grateful it is to have a woman on their team to get into those small crevices that they couldn’t get into and not be afraid to get dirty. My daddy, Jack, taught me the value of hard work and getting dirty while doing the work. Since the Titanic, dad has been doing well. Sure, since I saved them both, I have unexplainable memories of him that doesn’t make sense, like fishing. But other memories feels right because of the close bond I have with him. At 49, he’s doing well for himself. be backed off of hard labor and made a name for himself in the midwest for his portraiture. Mummy is doing well too; 46 looks good on her and decides to follow her dreams into theatre for both acting and costume designing. Recently, I have picked up photography, in which dad envies. In fact, one of my favorite photographs I’ve done was of my parents on their 25th wedding anniversary during my spring internship nearby in 1937.

Waikiki District, 1700

After a long day in the hangar, I went back to my house, get cleaned up because I’ve heard so much about Waikiki that I had to check it out. Waikiki means “spouting fresh water” in the native language due to nearby springs and waterfalls. While on the plane I’ve read up on Oahu and it’s history, including Waikiki. It was the first capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii in the late 1700s, by the early 19th century, it became a retreat for the Hawaiian royals. By the turn of the century, the area has become a tourist destination. Recently, they’ve done some projects to improve the beach like solving the erosion problem with imported sand and the Ala Wan canal to solve the mosquito problems in the area due to the wetlands.

There are things to do here other than surf, swim and play by the water. There’s a movie theatre, shopping centers, diners with an Art Deco design, bars, dance clubs, you name it! The people are just as various. There are the native islanders who’s ancestors were here long ago, Japanese and other people of Asian descent, tourists from America, men in military uniforms, nurses in their own outfits, giggling about. I’ve always wondered why they giggle, so hideous. The environment is so bubbly and vibrant, it’s hard to not feel joyous, especially the local music playing in nearby bars. Then a block away, I saw a group of men in uniform with a bunch of ladies. There’s one man that caught my eye…

He’s a good looking young man, tall, dark hair and eyes, fitting for an Italian-American living in New York. But his hair has a hint of red and slightly visible freckles around his nose and a boyish face. Then I noticed his smile, his smile is of a shy grin. I recognize that smile. It’s Danny!

“LIONS”, I shouted.

“ISLAND”, Danny greeted before we approached each other.

The nickname stems from where our names are most common. Mine is of Ellis Island, his is of the Bible story of Daniel and the lions.

He greeted me with a hug. When I got a closer look, he’s alot more muscular. He probably noticed the same since he wrapped his hands around my biceps.

“What’s buzzin Wahine,” he asked.

“You didn’t get my letter,” I asked with concern.

He mentioned that the navy has been training him alot more because of a looming threat and won’t tell me because it’s classified.

“Dan, I work with the military and I’m your best friend, your secret is safe with me,” I whispered to him as I get closer so no one could hear.

He told me that Japan is taking territories all across Asia and into the Pacific. To stop this, the US has put on an embargo on oil this last month.

“I have a feeling they’re going to retaliate soon for that,” Danny spoke in a low voice.

It all makes sense. With oil, Japan can conquer half of the world like Germany and Italy are claiming parts of Europe. It didn’t help the fact that Roosevelt put an embargo on scrap iron, steel, and aviation fuel last year. Wasn’t there some sort of peace treaty with them, I thought.

Before we continued catching up, one of the men told Danny to hurry because the “ladies are waiting”. “Ladies? You didn’t tell me you had a girlfriend,” I curiously asked.

“No, they’re trying to get me with some girls tonight,” Danny answered brushing it off. “You like me, don’t you?”

“No”, I hesitantly answered. “Not anymore than I already have”

We’ve known each other since we were kids. I’ve known him for so long that I don’t even remember us meeting! Sure, over the years, I thought he was cute and any girl would have him but remained protective of him. He’s had some girlfriends but none lasted long due to his shy and reserved personality.

I didn’t want to hold him up from his “date”, so we said our farewells and went our separate ways.