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Changing Hawaii
OWNING an automobile is like having a relationship. One day, you suddenly see it -- that shiny, four-wheeled dream you simply must have. In the beginning, you're a blissfully happy twosome. For the most part, you get along fine -- except when it acts up or breaks down. Covetous thoughts
at car showThen the years go by and eyes start to wander. While strolling through parking lots or idling at stop lights, you brazenly ogle a brighter, glitzier chassis or wistfully stare at the sports utility vehicle in the next lane.
Go ahead, admit it. You've got a bad case of Lexus envy.
So, if you're like me, you steered toward the Hawaii Convention Center this weekend to attend the First Hawaiian International Auto Show and leer at all the latest models of foreign and domestic cars.
Because looking can't hurt, right? Wrong. Once inside the cavernous showroom, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a brand-new vehicle, especially when sitting in one.
Ah, that heady aroma of leather and intoxicating new-car smell. And look, no visible juice stains on the seats or mud tracks on the floor mats, like in old faithful. A truly beautiful sight.
The atmosphere was upbeat, even festive. Smiling families brought babies in strollers, while older kids waved around colorful balloon swords. There were couples on dates, married folks, parties of pals.
Some attendees brought cameras to have pictures of themselves taken in their favorite chariots, usually sporty convertibles or sexy coupes.
Especially popular was the "Exotic Cars" corner, which featured a Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster that can zoom from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and whose top speed is 208 mph.
Price tag: $287,500. "I'd rather buy a house," one shopper muttered as she headed toward a Saturn three-door coupe that goes for under 15 grand.
A red Toyota Celica Spyder with spoiler sat atop a giant spinning turntable, as a beautiful blond spokesmodel extolled its virtues and mesmerized a mostly male crowd.
Mercedes tried to tone down its toniness by putting a surfboard on its SUV and a bike on its C-class five-passenger sedan, both with sticker prices of $35,000.
Even Vanpool Hawaii was there to push its glamorous new carpooling vehicles -- ebony-colored Dodge Durangos and Grand Caravans -- which look nothing like the program's 100 nondescript white vans now in service.
There was Acura, Buick, Cadillac. Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar. Volkswagen and Volvo. Va-va-va-voom. So many choices, so little money.
AND then, I saw it, gleaming under a strategically aimed spotlight: my next new car. It's a station wagon painted a metallic "Pacific Blue" and, whaddaya know, exactly in my price range. Plus it boasts an eight-way adjustable seat, electronic climate control and -- be still my heart -- not one, not two, but four cupholders. Mister Salesman, where do I sign?
Then I remember the trusty red number waiting patiently on a dusty side street. One that's served me well for so many years, with a lot of good miles still left on it. And I come to my senses.
Reluctantly, I tear myself from this place of bewitchment and drive off in one of my dearest friends, which just happens to be an inanimate object. Or is it?
Everybody deserves a treat. McKinley Car Wash, here we come.
Diane Yukihiro Chang's column runs Monday and Friday.
She can be reached by phone at 525-8607, via e-mail at
dchang@starbulletin.com, or by fax at 523-7863.