On May 2, 2007, Kinky called to invite Tony and me over, so that we could meet his long time friend—Will Hoover. It was around nine o’clock in the morning, Tony was working, so I drove over to the Lodge to meet Hoover.
For years, I have heard many stories about Hoover, and I was anxious to finally get to meet him. I already knew that Hoover was an extremely talented song writer, singer, writer, musician and he writes regularly, for a popular newspaper in Hawaii—where he lives. And, Hoover was one of the main characters in Kinky’s book, “Steppin’ On A Rainbow.” In other words, Hoover is really famous!
After driving over to Kinky’s, I met Hoover, when I first walked inside the door—sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee, while Kinky was in his office, talking on the phone. I poured myself some Kona coffee, sat down at the table, and we started talking. By the time Kinky had gotten off the phone—Hoover and I were already good friends.
Kinky, Hoover and I had a great visit, and it was a lot of fun, because Hoover kept making us laugh! When it was time for me to get back over to the rescue ranch, Hoover walked me to Trigger, and then he asked me to please wait a minute, because he wanted to give me a copy of his CD, “Hoover—The Lost Outlaw Album!”
When he returned from the cabin, he gave me the CD, and then he asked me if I liked history. I told him yes, and then he opened up the trunk of his rental car, and reached inside a bag. And then—he handed me a tiny stick from a pouch, and he seemed real proud about giving it to me!
“Well, thank you, Hoover,” I said, wondering if I should pick up a stick from the ground, and give it to him. I was thinking this must be some kind of Hawaiian tradition. Then he told me the fascinating story about my little stick.
Years ago, after our government had finally decided where to retire the U.S.S. Missouri—they chose Hawaii, because that is where the peace treaty to end World War II was signed. A couple of weeks before the U.S.S. Missouri was to be opened up to the public, Hoover had been assigned to write a story about the history of this famous ship. Hoover told me that when he went aboard the ship, there were workers everywhere, repairing and painting it, so it would be ready for the public. He was given a grand tour, and granted full access to anywhere on the ship!
He made several visits to the U.S.S. Missouri, and on one trip, he noticed men ripping up the original teak deck, because it was damaged and needed to be replaced. “Cousin Nancy,” Hoover said. “There were boards and planks of the deck scattered all over the place. I thought, this is history and I want a piece of it! So I asked if it would be okay for me to take a few of the deck planks home, and they said fine. They didn’t care. So, I grabbed several pieces of the old teak deck. And, you are holding a piece of history in your hand. That deck that I took home, was the deck where the peace treaty was signed!”
I got goosebumps after hearing Hoover’s story, and I was absolutely thrilled to have that little piece of teak wood! Wow!
Later, that morning, I went back over to the Lodge to give Hoover, a copy of my book, and to tell him that I loved his CD, and that my favorite song on it was, “Jesus Don’t Drive No Fastback Ford.”
The following morning, I went back over to the Lodge to talk some business with Kinky, and to ask Hoover to sign his CD that he had given to me. Before I reached the gate, Hoover caught up with me, and told me that he started reading my book and he was really enjoying it, and then he told me that he was also a Libra and we talked about that for a while. Then I asked him to please sign my CD.
Today, when Tony and I met some friends at La Fours Restaurant, for lunch I remembered to take my camera with me, because near the front door of the restaurant, hangs a large framed photo of the signing of the peace treaty on the U.S.S. Missouri—with Truman’s signature at the bottom of the old picture!
P.S. Hoover, thank you for the stories, the laughs, that great CD, and that little piece of big history. Thank you! Come see us!
3 comments:
Wow Nancy I love that story.
The pen and table used for the signing of surrender on the Missouri is on display at the museum at Annapolis Navel Acadeny. We went to the museum with a distant cousin, career Navy and he knew the curator. They let us hold the pen and take our picture with it. That was quite a thrill!!
Mary S.
Nancy, as always you have told a wonderful story. What a great keepsake you have! Awesomecool.
Hope you have a great Sunday! Kris & I are hanging out the backyard in the sun ; ))
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