Aug 23 2005
Driving with Aloha
The commute home was amazingly pleasant this afternoon — and it’s not because traffic was breeze. In fact, it took me 50 minutes behind the wheel before I pulled into my stall at home.
Approaching the on-ramp, I can see how bad traffic is by how far it has backed up. Today was a heavy day, no doubt. The back-to-school jam, although not yet in full swing, was already making an impact.
I listened to the last 20 minutes of Pastor Bob Coy’s sermon, then popped in a compilation CD that I mastered with my favorite praise songs. Playing music in my car louder than I should with the windows rolled up and the air conditioner on “3″ helps me to create my own little bubble, unbothered by the fact that I’m crawling along the H-1 at 7 mph.
Blinkers flashed and I paused to let them go like I do when I’m in a good mood. Today, everyone I waved into my lane actually waved back their “thank-you’s” and I even got a shaka or two. (Traffic shakas make my day; enthusiastic ones with arms extended outside the window, waving like Frank Fasi hot on the campaign trail.) This, I thought, was highly uncommon. I was 7 for 7 today. 7 cut-ins and 7 thank-you’s. Yes, I actually counted.
If everyone could drive with a little aloha, our daily commutes would be a lot less stressful. If drivers would pause a moment to make a little space when a blinker flashes from the next lane, people may be less prone to cutting each other off. If people would express their thanks with a simple gesture, maybe more others would be apt to let them in when they see a turn signal on. If everyone wasn’t in such a mad rush, maybe road rage wouldn’t be necessary.
This almost makes up for that taxi driver clipping my tail end on Friday, but that’s a whole ‘nother story entirely.
When you get behind the wheel tomorrow, flash someone a shaka sign when they let you into their lane. It just might make their day.
A 30-something Christian girl, blissfully wedded to her perfect match (the yang to her yin) of 14 years. Living life in Hawaii, less than 5 miles from her hometown, a slave to her mortgage payment, but seeking balance in her pursuit of family, faith, recreation, and rest.
What a refreshing post; it’s good to know that someone on this island understands what a little appreciation can do. My commute is from Pearl City to Manoa, and I’m not sure about the difference in your commute compared to mine, but in my experience, getting 7 shakas (much less a 100% turnout) would feel like a miracle. When I first started commuting to town, I would gladly open the way for anyone who signaled. Soon enough, it became a thankless chore. Instead of feeling encouraged about my “good” deed, I felt like a pushover. So these days, I’m not too far behind the car in front of me. I’m not totally disillusioned; I’d like to believe that collectivism can exist on the road. I’d rather sacrifice a few minutes in my commute getting a shaka, instead of practically tailgating the car in front of me thinking no one appreciates anything.
BTW, I just randomly came across your site. It’s funny because I was actually going to rant in my own blog about my commute today (particularly about the HOV lane) but I think it might be best to contain that negative energy. Take care on the road!