Hawaii

I think Dad has something for territories that became states during his life time. First, he talked all evening about Alaska and the last of the Romanovs (see July 9). Then, this weekend he talked all day about Hawaii. What was different about this series is that Dad rocked back and forth in his chair--like a person with Autism would.

"Hawaii was important during World War II. A lot of our soldiers were stationed there. That's what they did." "They were stationed there as a base to fight the Japanese. That was true of them."

"Because all the soldiers were there, the people of Hawaii learned to speak English. That was true of them." "Now they teach English in the schools. The Hawaiians even speak English in their homes. That is true of them."

"Since everyone there now speaks English, I don't know why they don't let Hawaii become a state." "Alaska became a state. That is true of them." "So they ought to let Hawaii become a state."

"If they let Hawaii become a state, I would like to visit it. I hear Hawaii is beautiful. That is true of it." (Note, Dad has been to Hawaii.)