October 30, 2003

• Last night, I watched a special on our local CBS channel, KGMB. It is called "Chicken Skin," based upon the book Chicken Skin Tales, collected & narated by Glen Grant. One of the stories they told was one I've heard from a personal friend of the 2 young men involved, about picking up an old Hawaiian woman on Oahu. Their friend told it to me a little better than the narator did in the show.

  
  

  For my own addition to their 'chicken skin' stories, I'll pass on here one involving close friends of my parent's, set sometime in the late 50s or early 60s:

  
  

  A husband & wife were driving back from Volcano-side toward Hilo. When they reached Kurtistown, they saw a young, blonde woman at the side of the road, with her thumb extended in request of a ride. The husband stopped, allowing the young woman, dressed in a red muu-muu, to enter the car. He asked where she wanted to be let off.

  
  

  "I'll let you know," she replied.

  
  

  So the husband drove on, chatting with his wife, forgetting the woman in the back seat, who sat quietly, smiling. After a time, they remembered the woman & turned to ask again where she wanted to be let out.

  
  

  "Just go on. I'll let you know," she answered again.

  
  

  So they drove on, again forgetting the woman in the back seat, chatting away. Just as they were aproaching the Hilo Airport, they again remembered the woman. They turned to ask her again if she was ready to be let off, only to find an empty back seat! But the essence of her white ginger perfume still filled the car.

  
  

  They never stopped the car during the ride down the mountain to Hilo after picking up the woman. The speed-limit at the time was 45 mph, on a then two lane road. How did this lovely woman get out of their car, without making a sound... without opening the car door?

  
  

  Many profess to legends of Pele, the Volcano Goddess, appearing as an old Hawaiian woman, hitching a ride or sitting on the side of the road. A few will also attest to her appearing as a young blonde woman. My parents' friends never believed in the legends of Pele before. After their encounter, they began to understand & accept them. I certainly do, understanding that there is more to this universe than anyone will ever fully understand. After all... remember my last birthday's events?

  
  

  Next blog... my oldest brother's chicken skin encounter.   

  • 1:45 pm
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