Jason Martelli, a 24 year old US Army Veteran, enjoying an early morning run along the beach catches his blade-runner in a breaking wave, tumbles head over heels in the surf and comes up laughing at his misfortune!
Two Hawaiian teenagers watching the blade-runner 'wipe out' in the breaking wave, dash into the surf helping Jason up on the beach.
"Thanks for your help!" Jason laughs while wiping the beach sand off his face.
"Come with us!" The 16 year old Hawaiian teenager calls out taking Jason's hand and leading him up the beach to an outdoor shower in the shade of an ancient hibiscus tree. "Wash off the sand and seawater while I get you a dry towel from my Uncle."
"My name is Oea Puckett. What's your name?"
"Jason Martelli!" He says with a grin.
"Aloha! / Welcome to our Hawaiian 'Almost Paradise' Beach Bar and Restaurant!" Oea's 45 year old Hawaiian Uncle Manu calls out to Jason taking off his blade-runner, putting on a tennis shoe and walking up the beach. "You must be thirsty after you're wiped out."
"Meet my niece Hinareva Puckett!" Uncle Manu said to Jason suddenly face to face with a magnificent barefoot Wahine holding gardenia lei she places around his neck with a soft kiss on each cheek.
"Aloha! / Welcome! Jason Martelli!" She said, handing him the breakfast menu. "Tell us about yourself."
"Not much to tell." He said. "I'm from Boston Mass. When I graduated from High School I joined the US Army."
"After attending a 12 month Electronics and Electricians Course I was assigned to an Aviation Battalion in Afghanistan."
"I liked the Army and was promoted to Sergeant."
"Six months ago I was ordered to take my van, join a convoy, and drive to a remote outpost to repair their generators. Halfway up a valley the Taliban ambushed us with heavy machine gun fire and rockets!"
"The Taliban detonated a bomb under my van." Jason continued his eyes and face filling with pain. "My van exploded, and the engine fell on my leg, amputating it below the knee! I was flown to a stateside hospital where I spent the last 6 months learning to use my new titanium leg"
"My Hawaiian Physical Therapist's stories about her family and her Island of Maui were fascinating! Last week I took my Medical Discharge, bought economy airfare to Maui, and arrived at Kahului Airport last night."
"I couldn't resist jogging along your beach until I crashed in front of your Beach Bar and Restaurant!" Jason said, yawning as he finished his breakfast.
"You look tired from jet lag and wipe out!" Hinareva said softly. "Why don't you take a nap under the hibiscus tree for a couple hours!"
"That young man has the right stuff!" Manu paused to watch his Niece take a beach mat and lead Jason under the shade of an ancient hibiscus tree.
Jason stretched out on the beach mat and to the rhythm of the waves breaking on the beach, fell into a deep sleep and dreamed of Hinareva sitting next to him.
"You slept almost 3 hours." Hinareva smiled watching him slowly open his eyes. "When I checked you were smiling in your sleep! What were you dreaming about?"
"I was dreaming of a beautiful Hawaiian Wahine tickling my nose with a gardenia flower like the one in your hand!
"A Tale of the South Pacific filled with adventure and romance!
