A Night with Hahalua Yana

I watched her glide around, mesmerized by her fluid grace and lazy curiosity. Shy, playful and utterly charming, she ignored me. I understood, there were so many others to distract her that evening.

But let me begin at the beginning. I had landed in quaint little Kona airport from Oahu just that morning. Driving through the dramatic landscape of the island of Hawaii or Big Island as it’s called, was the first treat of the day.

Stark, volcanic stretches blend seamlessly into luscious forests which seem to melt off into sparkling beaches. My day too, seemed right out of a storybook. I walked around a coffee plantation and tasted the world-renowned Kona coffee, which ensured I would know for the rest of my life, exactly what I was missing out on. I got lost while looking for a bus and landed up in the historic Manago Hotel, which gives one the impression of having stepped back into 1917, when it was established.

I thought that was the last surprise of the day. 

I made my way down to Keauhou Bay Pier. A few minutes later, there she was.

Off the pier, there was a postcard Hawaiian sunset in the works, but I couldn’t pay attention. She was captivating my imagination in a way I had never really experienced before. I was drifting around, unconsciously, but never losing sight of her. If she disappeared, I would whirl around in panic, trying to find her again. All I had was one short hour, to take in as much of her as I could. I knew I would carry the memory with me for the rest of my life, so it had to be perfect.

Then suddenly I saw her glide towards me. My heartbeat quickened and I felt that delicious feeling in the pit of my stomach, in equal parts total paralyzing fear and almost unbearable anticipation.

She came closer and looked at me curiously. She was so close, I was almost touching her. Almost, but not quite. I could have just reached out and touched that smooth skin. But, I didn’t want to startle her or do anything to annoy her. I just wanted her to stay like that, close to me.

And then without a warning she moved away. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding and went back to watching her again. Maybe if I waited patiently and didn’t make a fool of myself, she would give me another chance.

I could hear revelry and laughter, but it seemed far away, part of a different world. I watched her playfully approach people, mesmerize them and then move on in a heartbeat, like enchantresses of legend. They called her Yana, a hahalua, a manta ray who gave me a fleeting glimpse of the wonders that make up her world, under the waves.

Useful Links:

https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/hawaii-big-island/things-to-do https://www.mykonadaventures.com https://www.timeout.com/big-island/things-to-do/best-things-to-do-on-the-big-island