The "Cousin Gary" Story

It was an ordinary day. Our first day in Honolulu, Hawaii. We are staying at the Outrigger Hotel for three days before we head to our next island. Carol and I are traveling with Jerry and Sue H., Barb and Harry B. and Pat B. We decided to make a trip to Honolulu because Carol’s cousin Gary G. is a doctor in the city. Gary grew up in Lancaster, PA, living in Manheim Twp. with his mom and dad, Carol’s Aunt Beatrice and Uncle Albert. Kinda funny, but I had Gary in metal shop class when I was teaching that course and Gary was in ninth grade. Needless to say, I never would have guessed I would be meeting him again as a family member and well known island Doctor. After graduation, Gary became a beautician like his mother. That wasn’t his calling so he went to chef’s school to work in the food trades. Again, didn’t like it so he got a job as a conductor with Amtrak. Yep, again wasn’t happy so he went to school to become a Osteopathic Doctor. When it became time to do his residency, he found out there was an opening in Honolulu and the rest is history. He became the General Practitioner to such stars as Jack Lord and Tom Selleck. We met Gary that first night for a short time to say Hi! and make arrangements for more time together. On our second day we traveled to Pearl Harbor National Park. What a moving experience visiting the Arizona Memorial!!! We also boarded the Battleship Missouri and got to see where the Japanese signed the Instrument of Surrender. Later in the day we boarded a bus which took us to the Polynesian Cultural Center for a show and luau. Got to try Poke (marinated fish), Kalua Pork (imu pig), Poi (really tasteless and gross), Taro rolls, Haupia (dessert which I’m not sure about) and Pina Coladas. Third day we spent at Waikiki Beach, but did not partake of the surfing lessons. That evening we met Gary and his girlfriend who took us to his house to show us “Island Living”. Beautiful place with an open air internal fountain. Knowing I had a ‘87 Vette, he shared his collection with me. He had an ‘87 also, but blue. Not half as cool as my red one. He did have an ‘80 red Vette coupe and a ‘68 Camaro with a 409 engine. “How about a ride in the Camaro,” I asked. Didn’t need to ask again. Off we went. I found out they have no speed limits in his neighborhood, or any noise ordinances.
The open pipes roared with the sounds of the "409". We traveled down the mountain and along the North Shore where all the surfing championships are held. Fantastic, I guess! I didn’t get to see too much of it at the speed we were traveling. I like speed, but.... Off to eat now. Gary took us to one of his favorite restaurants, Roy’s Restaurant. In Hawaii there are two things of equal importance - food and the “Aloha Spirit.” We experienced both that night. Roy Yamaguchi opened his restaurant in 1988 after winning the James Beard for Cuisine. Gary ordered our meal that evening for us. We had Thai Spiced Shumai Meatballs for the appetizer, Shrimp and Butternut Squash Ricotti with Asparagus and Edamame for the entree and for dessert, Roy’s Melting Hot Chocolate Souffle. Unbelievable meal! I lost track of how many bottles of wine we consumed. The check came and he saw me looking at him for my share. He said, “my treat for being such a great teacher!” How nice!!! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.