69

'Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono.'

The life of the land is perpetuated by righteousness.

My favorite beach is 69s.

69 mile marker, that is.

It never used to be paved.

You used to be able to bring your dog.

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

About four years ago.

It became more crowded.

But not like the day I freaked out.

After a few hours of baking in the sun.

L and I return to the car.

On the way out the main entrance is clogged.

70 lost looking asian tourists are also leaving.

I see more tourist then beach.

Panic.

A tour bus.

Since when do tour buses come to my favorite beach?

L says, " it was like this last summer."

Shower has at least 40 people waiting.

Weave through people like a crowded city sidewalk.

This is not a city.

This is the big island.

This is my home.

I finally get to my car.

I try to reverse but the herd pays no attention to my car.

They have no sense that they block the road.

I have to honk to get them to get out of the tiny road.

I feel as though my body is melting into the leather seats.

Bothered. Throughly bothered for a few days.

What is happening to this island?

*Change is hard. 69s has always been the chill beach where people are cool and it's never as crowded as Hapuna (which is less than a half mile away and is frequently rated as best beach in north america). I feel weird about the hateful feelings I felt for these tourists. They didn't ask to go there. They have just as much right to enjoy it as I do. Yet I feel so territorial. This beach is a part of me. A part of the Alex as a little girl, and the Alex now. Like, this beach is not supposed to be crowded and now it is and you have ruined it and get out. I was surprised how strongly this whole thing affected me. What's next? An elevator down to Waipio? A gift shop in my backyard? The development going on the big island scares me to death. Now we have a target... and all these other chain stores. I guess what frightens me most is that if the land that has taught me so much and made me who I am can be so vulnerable and weak to the outside changes, then so can I. The slow life, small population, respect for the land, and lack of consumerism have entirely created the way I think and feel. I don't want to lose that uniqueness in the place I call home, or more importantly in myself.

An ode to 69s... I stole some of these pictures from Sarah Lee. Shit she takes AMAZING photos. The only way to do 69s any justice.