The Islands by Di Morrissey Page A

didn’t – but all commemorated a tree planting here in the last twenty years.
    â€˜There must be hundreds of trees planted in here,’ said Catherine. ‘By everyone from movie stars to mavericks by the look of it.’
    â€˜A lot of big Hollywood movies were filmed at this hotel in the fifties,’ said Bradley. ‘In fact lots of films were shot on this island. Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Esther Williams, they all stayed here.
    â€˜They all seem to have contributed something to Hawaii or had a connection to the island,’ said Catherine. ‘Who’s Duke Kahanamoku?’
    â€˜Duke was an American hero, as much for who he was as for his prowess in popularising the sport of Hawaii’s kings. He was a great Hawaiian gentleman. You should know about him, he’s the father of modern surfing. I thought all Australians surfed,’ said Bradley.
    â€˜I wouldn’t know. I’m a bush girl,’ said Catherine. ‘How come you know about him? Were you a surfer?’
    â€˜Not at all. But living in California, surfing has become huge in the last few years. The Beach Boys, surfing music, that kind of thing.’
    They held hands as they walked from the grove back towards the hotel dining room. As they reached the terrace Eleanor appeared with one of the young torch bearers.
    â€˜Good evening to you both. Did you enjoy our evening ceremony?’
    â€˜Wonderful. A great idea,’ said Bradley.
    â€˜Do you do it every night?’ asked Catherine.
    â€˜Haven’t missed since we started,’ replied Eleanor. ‘Even when there was a hurricane! Isn’t that right, Kane?’
    The torch bearer beside her nodded vigorously. ‘I was trying to run through water past my knees. But da torches no go out.’
    Eleanor Lang looked at Catherine and said seriously, ‘I like to think of it as the spirit of our island, lighting the way no matter what happens around us. I hope while you’re in the Islands you learn something of our Hawaiian culture.’
    Catherine studied the American woman who spoke with a cultured accent and whose bright blue eyes seemed to take in everything around her at a glance. That probably accounted for the attention to detail at the hotel that Catherine had already observed. The Palm Grove proprietor had an air of authority and a firmness in her manner which commanded respect.
    â€˜Yes, I’d like to do that. I feel very ignorant about my new home,’ said Catherine. She suddenly realised that this would be something she’d really like to pursue. Hawaii intrigued her.
    Eleanor studied her for a moment. ‘Make the most of your time here. I can introduce you to some of our staff, you’ll learn a lot from them.’
    Bradley gave a small laugh. ‘Darling, it is our honeymoon, don’t forget.’
    Eleanor glanced at him with a polite smile. ‘Of course it is. Catherine, when you return to Oahu, spend time with Kiann’e. She’s a very special person. Now, I do hope you’ll be joining us for dinner this evening. Our chef has prepared his famous kalua pig on the spit and coconut cream pie.’
    â€˜Looking forward to it,’ said Bradley.
    â€˜And tomorrow evening, I hope you’ll come to my cocktail party after the torch-lighting ceremony.’
    â€˜Thank you, we’d be delighted,’ said Catherine.
    â€˜Why did you accept her drinks invitation?’ said Bradley in a low voice as they walked away. ‘We might want to do something else. Or just be together.’
    â€˜Come on, Bradley. You’re always telling me how important it is to socialise and meet new people.’
    â€˜Well, you’re probably right about Mrs Lang, she’s a legend, isn’t she? But we’ll never see any of these other people again. And you’re not really interested in hearing some gardener’s story of his family or whatever, are you?’
    â€˜You make it sound like