A Good Morning

Jamie Lee flanked by admirers.

One of the part-time caregivers was pau work as we were leaving for church services downtown, 20 minutes away. She asked for a ride to her church, a mile from ours. Of course.

Edna, 77, had emigrated to Honolulu from the Philippines to join two of her children. Later the head nurse told me that Edna should not have approached me for a ride. I assured the nurse that I was happy to do it; transportation is a real problem for older workers, many of whom don't drive.

My good deed was rewarded immediately (yes, I know it doesn't work like that) when this year's Narcissus Queen, Jamie Lee, and Narcissus Princess, Sabrina Young, happened to be in the Parish Hall for a photo shoot.

Sabrina Young and fan

The Narcissus Festival and beauty pageant were a big deal when I was growing up and are still important to Hawaii's Chinese community:

The Narcissus Festival was initially tied to the Lunar New Year celebrations due to the narcissus flower being an auspicious symbol of rebirth and good fortune...The festival’s purpose is to preserve and showcase Chinese art and culture, while promoting local and international commerce...The festival culminates in an annual goodwill tour wherein the queen and her court travel to various cities in mainland China and act as cultural ambassadors for the state of Hawai’i.

The flowers were impressive, too.