A Night of Dancing Under the Kauai Sky
It was quite a sight — about 500 people dancing under the stars at the Poipu Pavilion in Kauai. The band played rock and roll from the 1960s through the 2000s. Many of the women wore bathing suits or colorful dresses, and the men showed up in shorts and t-shirts. The humidity made long hair turn wavy, and most of the men didn’t bother shaving in the heat. With temperatures in the mid-70s, some people brought chairs and dinner. A brief rain shower passed through, as it often does in Kauai, but no one minded.
A Community That Felt Like Family
It felt like a retirement surfing community simply enjoying life. No one acted old, even though many were in their 70s and 80s. A young woman next to me spun around with long hair that brushed my face as she twirled, and you couldn’t help noticing her energy and presence. Dancing was limited for some of the older crowd, but most people seemed to know each other. Newcomers were warmly welcomed, whether from the mainland or locals. If you could dance, you weren’t old. A few young children twirled beneath the moon — just a bright quarter slice in a sky with almost no light pollution. Palm trees were silhouetted, and constellations were easily visible. Nothing else in the world mattered. Imagine a community built on love and peace. That’s what this felt like. New arrivals wore leis and colorful Tommy Bahama shirts.
A Celebration Open to All
It was the band’s 45th year, and they were selling ten-dollar hats with their name on them. We had just finished dinner under the open sky at a restaurant with no windows — everything wide open to the night. Not everyone can live like this, of course, but any community could hold monthly dances and offer a place to gather and eat. Whether rich or poor, everyone was welcome, just like tonight. You could simply let your hair down. When was the last time you did the twist — if ever, past age forty? People tried, and it was fun to watch. No one cared. Dancers sang along with the band and completely enjoyed themselves.
Music, Waves, and Timeless Joy
Most people had gone swimming earlier that day, and the party just flowed right into the evening. Flip-flops were everywhere; some danced barefoot on grass and sand. I did both. Near the band, the music was loud, but down by the shoreline you could hear the waves and conversations. Young people were making out, and here I was — a 76-year-old man with his lovely wife — smiling and feeling anything but old. You work your whole life for moments like these. If you can’t move to paradise, you can still create it at home: invite friends, share food, play music, and be your true self. That’s all that really matters.
One Love in Action
One Love, as we say, is simply letting the best in you shine. If you’re interested in creating an event like this, let me know. We would be happy to help arrange one for any SOL member — because we’re all one.
