THE PUNAHOU SCHOOL PROM

Laura took my arm and I escorted her through a foyer of potted palms and paintings of whale hunts off Lahaina. There was also a painting of Captain Cook's arrival on the Big Island—outrigger canoes in Kealakekua Bay surrounded the HMS Discovery. A band sang "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" in the ballroom and the lead singer resembled Tina Turner. "Lava Gods" was printed on their base drum. Couples were already dancing. Color wheels were aimed up at a rotating disco ball that reflected back dots of colored light. The aroma of plumeria, carnation, and pikake filled the room.