Chapter 27
It was the day of graduation and parents and family had gathered at Boarders’ Field. People were everywhere as cars began arriving for the yearly historic commencement exercises.
Peter had stayed in a hotel with his family the night before as the students had vacated the dorms a few days ago. He sat in the back seat of the rental car with his sister as they turned the corner onto Lahainaluna Road. The road was lined with large handmade banners for graduates that family members had hung for some of them. Some said ‘Congratulations’ and some said ‘Good luck on the mainland!’ or others read ‘Class of 2013!’ There were many along the way saying various similar things. They were strung all along the way on both sides. There was also stands selling lei’s and fresh goodies to eat that some families stopped to buy for their graduate.
They parked the car and Peter retrieved his cap and gown from the trunk. He was dressed in a nice suit and tie. His face appeared to be sullen though. The last month had been the worst he had faced in his life. He managed to finish all his work in order to graduate, but spending all that time without any contact with Kaila had been excruciating. He had only caught glimpses of her from time to time, but she held true to her word in not communicating with him. His heart was broken beyond repair and it showed in his expression.
His mother straightened his tie for him. “We’re proud of you, Pika. Don’t be sad. It’s not a funeral.”
Peter’s dad tried to assure him. “It’s gonna be OK, son. Maybe you’ll get to see her tonight. Just know we are proud of you.”
“Thanks,” Peter answered. “I’ll see you after it’s over. I gotta go find the formation for the guys.” He headed down the main road towards the gathering area for the male graduates.
All the men were dressed in red caps and gowns. And there were many. Peter could not tell, but it seemed like over a hundred young men gathered all dressed in the same colors. It was quite a scene in itself and they had not joined the ladies yet. Handshakes and high-fives went all around as they began to line up in their assigned places. Peter stood near the middle of the line with his last name being in the L’s. When they called out his letter in the alphabet, he thought of the giant ‘L’ upon the mountain that they would soon see all aflame. A selected few of his dorm friends that were graduating and other seniors from the class had made the annual trek earlier in the day up the mountain to the site of the ‘L’ and David Malo’s gravesite. They lined the letter with lime and gasoline as was tradition. Inside the vertical part of the letter were bars that signified league championships for the school and on the horizontal part of the ‘L’ was the number thirteen for the class year.
Organizers made the signal that the graduates were about to begin their march towards Boarders’ Field. They slowly walked single file up the road towards the stone staircase that led to the field. As they approached the stairs, they met with the ladies all dressed in white caps and gowns. Each man matched up with one lady as they walked two-by-two up the stairs and into the open field. Shouts of joy and whoops and hollers rang out as the men joined together with the ladies. Onlookers on the road that watched the parade of graduates cheered and shouted congratulations to them. Behind the parade the sun had already begun setting.
Peter strained to see if he could find Kaila in the crowd of white and red caps and gowns, but she was too far ahead of him to try and make her out. Soon, the entire class had gathered in their respective seats and the ceremony began.
One by one, the graduate’s names were called as they crossed the stage to receive their diploma. People cheered and clapped as each name was called. Peter knew Kaila would be one of the first to be called and when he finally saw her, his heart pounded out of his chest and his stomach churned with butterflies. She looked so beautiful in her white cap and gown. And he was so proud of her too. He had learned that her term paper had earned such accolades that Mr. Tran had recommended her for a partial scholarship at Hawaii Maui College. He leaped from his seat when they called her name and clapped and whistled for her as she crossed the stage.
Soon, his turn came to do the same and when they called his name he could hear a smattering of clapping and his dad and sister’s distinctive voices yelling out, “Way to go, Peter!” He smiled for what seemed like the first time in ages as he walked across the stage.
After all the graduates received their diplomas, they returned to the stage and lined the steps of the amphitheater to sing to the gathering. By this time the sun had set and darkness descended upon the ceremony. Peter saw Kaila clearly now on the bottom step as they prepared to sing the traditional songs they had learned all school year. He smiled proudly at her and kept his eyes on her, hoping she might see him. As they sang the finale of the school alma mater, high upon the mountain the letter ‘L’ slowly began to glow in firelight. The rousing tune reached its crescendo as the ‘L’ became brighter and brighter on the hillside. Soon it was fully ablaze in an amazing display, with the bars lit and the class number thirteen equally ablaze in fiery glory. People turned to see the amazing site as the graduates concluded the incredible song.
The wondrous sight could be seen for miles. People down on the coast in Lahaina stopped what they were doing to watch the ‘L’ come to life with fire on the side of the mountain. Cars even pulled over to watch it and locals and tourists alike were astonished. People asked what was going on and what it meant. Soon everyone knew the latest class of seniors had just graduated Lahainaluna High School.
The crowd erupted in applause and cheering. The principal came to the podium and announced loudly, “Ladies and gentleman, the Class of 2013!” The applause became almost deafening as the graduates lifted their caps and tossed them into the air.
As everyone laughed and cheered Peter looked down to see Kaila smiling at him broadly from across the way, as if to say, Congratulations. We did it!
After it was all over, the graduates met out on the field with their families and friends. Peter’s mom put a lei around his neck and kissed his cheek.
“Congratulations, Peter! You sounded wonderful. It put a lump in my throat.”
“Thanks, Mom.” He hugged his parents and his sister amidst of big throng of people. He felt someone tap him on the shoulder. To his surprise he saw Kaila as he turned around. His heart burst with love for her. He could barely contain his emotions as he saw her and the thought that she had sought him out in the crowd.
“Hi, Peter. Congratulations!” she said to him.
He wanted to hug her right then and there but he resisted. “Same to you,” he said in return.
She was standing next to a woman he had never seen before. “Peter, this is my mom. I wanted you to meet her.”
“Oh, I see!” Peter exclaimed. He shook her hand and said, “Nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Alapai.”
“Nice to meet you too,” she said.
“Um, this is my mom and dad. And my sister Ana. Mom, Dad, this is Kaila and her mom.”
They all exchanged pleasantries and congratulated each other. All the while Kaila and Peter looked at one another silently. He wanted to tell her that he loved her so terribly. But she knew what he was saying without him having to say a word.
“We better go, Peter,” Kaila said. And she led her mother back into the crowd.
“Goodbye, Kaila,” Peter said sadly. His dad hugged his shoulder and tried to comfort him.
“That was very nice of her,” he said. Peter tried his best not to cry as he sadly watched her disappear into the crowd.
Soon his roommate Vince and other dorm friends appeared out of nowhere wearing their caps and gowns. He slapped high fives with them all. “We did it, man!” Vince yelled out.
Just then, two administrators approached a beautiful woman wearing a lavish Hawaiian dress. She was incredibly beautiful and almost everyone noticed her. “Ms. Stern, so nice to see you again.”
Vince and the boys looked on curiously. It was hard to take their eyes off the stunn
ing middle-aged woman.
“Hello Ms. Maiselle,” said the other teacher. “And congratulations to you, Fin! Your mom must be so proud.”
Vince’s eyes widened in disbelief as he watched Fin stand next to his mother. Maiselle? It has to be her, thought Vince. She put his arm around him and said, “Yes, I’m very proud of little Fin here. And he sang so wonderfully. Mahalo.” Vince looked at his buddies and mouthed the words in total shock. That’s Fin’s mom!
Maiselle noticed the boys standing there with their mouths agape. “Oh, these must be some of your friends. Congratulations, boys. You should ask them to come by for refreshments afterwards, Fin.” Vince’s eyes stayed glued on her. “I’m sure they know where our house is.” She turned to walk away with Fin with an amused grin on her face.
“Um, thank you,” Vince stammered. He looked over at Oki and Kai. “Holy cow!”
Fin stopped and turned around before he left with his mother. He leaned over and punched Vince in the shoulder jokingly. “Nimrod!”
Vince could not help but smile as he watched Fin walk away with his mother, quite easily the most stunningly beautiful woman on Maui. At least to Vince she was.
Oki and Kai and even Peter laughed out loud. “Oh man,” Oki said. “He got you good!”
Vince started laughing. “I told you she wasn’t fat.”