I Accidentally Went To The Part Of Town Everyone Told Me To Avoid

When I first moved to Hawaii I was broke and didn’t know anyone. Once I had a little money I decided to explore the island a little. I didn’t know where I was going but I got on a bus and wanted to see where it took me.

I went to Ala Moana which is the name of a beach and a giant shopping mall.

After a day of exploring and enjoying the beach, I decided to head home. I was discombobulated from all the walking I did and I was still unfamiliar with the bus system. I sat there waiting for the number 3 bus. When it came I didn’t hesitate and hopped right on.

The bus started to roll and I looked out the window, taking in all the passing sights. Suddenly I noticed everything looked different, I didn’t remember any of this on the way here.

I checked my phone and to my shock and dismay, we were going in the wrong direction. I was on the right bus but on the wrong side of the street. I panicked and didn’t know what to do. Should I stay on and wait for it to go all the way around? Does it go all the way around?

I finally decided to get off the bus and get on the right one, so I got off at the next stop.

As I waited I realized I didn’t have enough cash for the ride back so I had to find an ATM. I checked my phone and my situation got even worse.

When I pulled up the map it showed I was in Kalihi. I had never been there before but the locals I’ve met have all told me to avoid that area. Being a haole, it wasn’t smart for me to be in that part of town, by myself, at night. And that is exactly where I was.

Haole is a Hawaiian word for foreigner, although it applies to everyone not from Hawaii it is usually used to mean white person. There is a general dislike of white people in Hawaii, but some parts really hate white people. And that’s where I was.

The seriousness of the situation set in, I had to figure something out. The first step was getting some money. I had to walk to the nearest ATM, but I also needed a change because the bus doesn’t give change. I walked for almost a mile to find a place where I could use the ATM and buy a drink to get some change.

As I walked back to the bus stop I eyed everyone along the way. Everyone told me the people around here hate people like me and will jump me and rob me just for being there. The bus wasn’t coming for another thirty minutes so I sat there. As I sat I tried my best to keep my head down looking at my phone while also looking around for someone trying to rob me.

I was in such a heightened state that everyone seems mean and evil even the young girl and the old lady. The bus came on time and I made sure it was the right one this time. I felt better that I was on the bus and getting out of there. As I thought about the experience something dawned on me.

These mean people who wanted me dead we just regular people, just waiting for the bus. I allowed other people’s words and my fears to control me. I just accepted the fact that everyone in that area was an evil criminal. T

hat wasn’t true, how many other times is it not true? How often do I pass judgment or criticize people for something I created in my own head?

This experience was good, I learned to not judge an entire group of people for the actions of a few.

Not only am I not afraid of Kalihi anymore, I live there, and so far my apartment has only been burglarized once.

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