June 22, 2014
I stayed back late last night at the Customer Service booth just to check on things. I got to meet all kinds of people as they exited from the theater where they had watched the Polynesian Cultural Center’s world-renowned show, HĀ: Breath of Life.
As usual, the smiles on everyone’s faces as they exited the theatre made me feel happy, too. I stood there among the crowd saying goodnight as they made their way out to the parking lot to board buses and head back to Waikiki.
A woman pushing her elderly mother in a wheelchair from the Center came up to me asking for directions back to town. I was in the middle of my explanation when her mother, seated in the wheelchair, poked my stomach with the cane she had in her hands. I stopped mid-sentence, looked down at this frail, old woman, who was somewhat slouched forward in the wheelchair, her hair thinned and gray.
Normally, I don’t advise people to poke the stomach of a bear with anything, for fear of angering the bear who could/would knock you into a coma. However, this grandma had a huge grin on her face and she was so cute! It calmed the bear in me.
She looked up and me and said, “Never mind the directions back to Waikiki. I want to tell you something.” She motioned me to come closer with her finger, and I leaned in and had to get down on one knee to be at eye-level with her.
She said in almost a whisper, “I’m 92 years old and this is my first time to Hawaii. It won’t be my last! I had such a great day here today.
Everyone is so friendly, so professional, so genuinely kind. I really had a great time.” Then she raised her cane up above her head in both hands and shook it, this time, laughing loudly, and said, “I’ll be back! Before I die, I’m coming back here for sure!”
Other customers who were in the courtyard turned and looked toward this little old lady, who was laughing to herself, as she stood up from the wheelchair, and still laughing, started walking out towards the parking lot.
Her daughter started quickly after her, but turned back to me and said,
“She REALLY did have a great day today …Please thank everyone for making this a really wonderful experience for my Mom!” She turned back and hurried after her mom.
The experience happened in less than a minute and I didn’t even get to ask her name or where she was from. But in that minute, this peppy, little nameless grandma taught me some important life lessons: Enjoy life!
Choose to be happy! Express gratitude! And, Life is too short, so if you have to, don’t be afraid to poke a big bear in the stomach with your cane if you have something important to say.
Jimmy Mapu is the beloved Governor of the Polynesian Cultural Center, a title earned through decades of dedicated service and genuine care for people. He currently serves as Director of Guest Services, where he provides steady leadership and mentorship to the Center’s tour guides and frontline employees who bring Polynesian culture to life each day.
Known for his warmth, humor, and gift for storytelling, Jimmy’s reflections speak not only to guests but especially to the employees he leads—capturing the heart, history, and values that define the Polynesian Cultural Center.
