Introducing HTMC Clubhouse Resident Colleen Soares
In March 2023 HTMC welcomed our new clubhouse resident, Colleen Soares. Colleen drafted this story to introduce herself. Welcome Colleen!
Beginnings
I was lucky to grow up 20 miles from the Redwoods in northern California in the mountains, full of snow and heat. My parents escaped the concrete jungle of the Bay area where they lived all their lives, and when the war ended they packed up and headed north to the Eel River, Mendocino county, so Dad could work outdoors and fish and raise a family in the country.
Career
My academic work background was teaching university writing and ESL at HPU and in the UH CC system for many years. But first I held a number of jobs, got a bachelors at Portland State University, sailed to the Big Island and fell in love with it, moved to Annapolis to work and went sailing. After a few other deliveries, I helped deliver a boat to Tahiti, and then hitched the “milk run” to Am.Samoa where I stopped to work briefly. I ended up teaching high school for two years! Am.Samoa is a joyful, musical, lively and difficult colonial culture.
I enjoyed the music very much. Returning to Hawaii after deciding I’d rather teach university level, I finally got my PhD at UHM. During that time, I became an instant Mom to two delightful and kolohe 2-year olds. They were my little sister’s twin boys. She had been killed in a car crash on the Big Island. I had always wanted kids, but did not figure to go it alone, and had given up the idea in lieu of having more freedom. But you know the old adage about making plans. I was a Mom after all, in a difficult and wonderful situation. Luckily, I had a full-time job, was settled and had a whole lot of energy.
Boys and Mom – Kalalau
Hiking
The boys became my hiking partners and we went to the Big Island often to fish with a good friend, Uncle Lance. We went snowboarding down a Mauna Kea hill in site of the telescopes. When they were six, we walked up Green Road outside Waimea, Big Island, along the dyke and up to the edge of Waipio Valley, and looked down 2000’ at the waterfall below. We met a couple of men working on the dyke who said, “go ahead.” Things were different back in the day! We hiked to Hanakapiai, Kauai and a few Tantalus trails and we did extensive beach camping by car. There’s more: years working with Sierra Club, organizing hikes and training new leaders. Lots of volunteer work, with James Campbell, Pacific Rim Conservation bird translocation program, Manoa Cliff Program, He’eia Kea Fishpond, and Sierra Club Service trips to Ka’ena Point for 10 years.
Service Trip – Kaena Point
Sierra Club Hike – Kaena Point
Audobon Society – Kapalama
Sailing
I began sailing in Portland in the 1970s, when I bought a small sailboat with my guy to learn to sail. There were no sailing lessons in Portland at that time. We learned on the boisterous Columbia river, sometimes with lighting storms flashing. We had many adventures in that boat, and survived one especially memorable crossing to Victoria, BC during a gale. We had headed out confidently with small-craft warnings posted since we still believed that we were not a small craft. We were 21 feet!
I joined the Coast Guard Reserves in Portland and trained monthly on the Columbia for a few years while working as a Crisis Counselor in Portland. When that contract ended, I went to Wash. D.C. to work for the US Coast Guard. During that time, I studied navigation and boat handling and got my 50-100 ton Captains license. Since, I’ve sailed thousands of miles, beginning with three Pacific crossings from Hawaii to the West coast . In 1979 (before GPS), I was co-navigator from Port Angeles, Wash. to Hilo, Hawaii on my first big boat – 30 feet. Using RDF, sextant and log meter and sailed into Hilo. I still have my sextant.
Molokini
Clubhouse
Being here I’ve hiked with many HTMC folks, and I hope to meet more of you. There is responsibility in being the Clubhouse resident and I will try to do my best. I began here the first of March and then the big wind and rain storm started March 3. Goodness! after that, I spent hours hauling palm fronds, raking the yard and finding places to put all the leaves. It wasn’t until the next week, when the ground was soaked, that one of the tall Panax hedge-trees along the back wall fell over during the night. Roy cut much of it and set it back up. Roy has been great: answering questions, showing me where to find tools, etc. and helping with the many locks everywhere. I will have questions. It is nice to be here. Except for the Doves; they are not a favorite.
Many of you have put time and money making this historic Clubhouse sweet and usable. Sitting outside at night looking at stars is a favorite. And I am grateful for the yard and the three Pritchardia Loulu palms planted along the front. I’m researching Loulu and would like to talk with the person who planted them. Also, in a La’au Lapa’au class I’m learning about Hawaiian medicinal plants, and planting some in the makai garden space.
For more information about the HTMC Clubhouse and becoming a Resident Caretaker please visit the Clubhouse page on the website. The HTMC clubhouse committee is accepting applications at any time. To be considered for the term beginning March 2024, please apply by January 15, 2024!