Tropically Depressed

I just read that Felicia, once classified as a hurricane, has recently been downgraded to a tropical depression. Maybe it's Felicia that's been getting the locals a little testy, or maybe it's just that the Aloha State's slowly losing its aloha.

Just the other day, I was out surfing at Waikiki. Any surfer who goes out to Waikiki knows the risk in surfing amongst beginner surfers. But if you've been out there recently, it turns out the biggest reason not to go is local and a little more experienced surfers who hog waves, cut you off, and do just about anything to catch and stay on a wave. A friend and I got cut off by this hapa-looking guy on a longboard who saw us going for the same wave and could have easily gone the other way. Another kid on a shortboard (I know... a shortboard! In Waikiki!) ran his skeg into my foot, and I have a feeling he's to blame for my busted fin.

I was well aware of the risk of surfing at Waikiki, but I anticipated dodging wobbly tourists. The good part about most beginner surfers is that they are at least very cautious and fearful of hitting others. The guys who tropically depressed me were not beginners, and I can't understand why they felt the need to "dominate" people at the Canoes line-up.

Then yesterday, as I was getting on the freeway from the Piikoi on-ramp, it really boiled my blood to see so many people cutting in at the last minute to get onto the freeway. Why do people act so rudely and dangerously when in their cars? I admit I've done some stupid things in my car, and I haven't been the perfect, courteous driver at all times. I even know people who do this on a regular basis, despite my constant urgings to stop. But I don't consistently cut in front of people waiting in lines. The funny thing is... I'm sure a lot of the people who cut in front of other cars wouldn't cut in front of people standing in a line at the grocery store or bank. Why is it that they feel it's okay to behave differently in their vehicles?

I could find a plethora of reasons for people all around the world to behave immaturely, selfishly, and inconsiderately. But that's not the point. The point is, we live in one of the most coveted areas of the world. We enjoy family and friends nearby, sun and surf, ocean water the color it's supposed to be, ono food, and despite a few bad apples in the bunch, people who really love and care for our state and do what they can to make it better. We should behave better because we live in Hawaii, and we should expect more of ourselves -- to be kinder, more courteous, more loving, more giving, and more proactive. I myself will consciously try to be more sharing, forgiving, and gracious, especially in my car. Until then, I can only hope that my tropically depressing encounters will fade as Felicia makes its way past the islands.