Ally Lollar

Miss Schmidt
Fictional Narrative
September 8, 2017
Hopeless to Hopeful

A young girl with long, dark hair that shines in the sunlight and tan skin sprinted out of her

Oahu home, rushing to get to school. As she runs, her long, curled hair flows behind her. The girl

sees her school, Waipahu Middle School, in the distance, and she hears the morning bell ringing

louder than a naval ships whistle. Shoot, Im late again! Mr. Kawai is going to be furious! she

thought.

As the girl runs into the classroom and sits down, Mr. Kawai firmly says, Keilana Pali, is

there a valid explanation for your tardiness? I have told you time and time again that your

attendance is very important!

Mr. Kawai, I can explain. Keilana says, Time just ran away from me this morning! I was

sitting by the shore, and I forgot about getting ready for school! Im very sorry.

Well, Ill let it slide this time. Class, today we will be discussing the World War that is

taking place. Mr. Kawai says.

Silence fell upon the classroom. Not one of the children in that room wanted to speak of the

horrendous war going on. Too many people had been killed, and many of the kids didnt think

that it affected them. But, boy, would they be wrong.

July 26, Mr. Kawai paused, Does anyone know what happened on July 26 of this year?

Anyone at all?

For a moment, no one raised their hand. It was like their lightbulbs had gone out. Finally, a

girl by the name of Kamele raised her hand to answer his question.

Yes, Miss Cravalho? he says.

 Didnt the United States put an embargo in place to stop the Japanese from using their

natural resources? Kamele says.

Exactly! Mr. Kawai exclaims, Many people believed that it would bring war to the U.S.,

but I dont think Japan would go all the way to the States. That would be ridiculous, right? Well,

I want all of you to go home tonight and think about the effects of this war. Write me a paper

about what you think might happen or is happening. It will be due tomorrow, Friday, December

5, 1941. Class dismissed!

As the day went on, Keilana could not stop thinking about the war and what might happen

next. Honestly, she was scared. Even though Hawaii was not a part of the United States, would

the Japanese dare to attack? It was the closest island with some traces of U.S. forces to Japan.

Keilana knew at that moment what she would write about.

School ended, and Keilana raced home. She could not wait to tell her mother about the

assignment and get started. When she came in the house, Mrs. Pali, her mother, asked how her

day was.

Mom, I have been ready to come home all day! This assignment we got in history class has

had me thinking all day about World War II, and I know what I want to write about! Now Im

going to do my homework, Mom. Bye! Keilana said before rushing out of the kitchen with

excitement.

Keilana settled down on her teal and coral comforter to do her homework. She wrote that she

thought that the Japanese might attempt to attack Hawaii because they were upset about the

embargo. She wrote about the U.S. soldiers that would swoop in to save the day, and the war

would end at that very moment. As Keilana wrote this essay, she wondered what was in store for

Hawaii this year.

 Later that evening, Keilanas dad, Commander Pali, came home from working at the Pearl

Harbor naval base located in sunny Oahu. Every day, her father goes to the base filled with ships,

some as big as a factory building, and operates as captain of his small ship. Each morning, he left

before she rose, and each evening, he returned before supper was served.

Keilanas father was a tall man, 65, and he had the same tan skin and dark hair as Keilana.

His deep set, dark eyes revealed compassion, little fear, and determination no matter the time of

day. He was loyal to their family, and they could not function without him.

At supper that night, the Pali family discussed the World War in great detail because they

were so involved in the situation. Their family conversation came to a close, and Keilana went to

get ready for bed. With millions of thoughts racing through her mind, she dozed off.

Friday had finally arrived, and the students of Waipahu Middle School longed to begin the

school day. Even Keilana Pali and her best friend, Kamele, were present and on time.

I am so excited to share my thoughts on the war, as the topic has really intrigued me in the

past day! I have thought of so many things that could happen, so I hope Mr. Kawai allows us to

read our papers for the class! Keilana exclaimed.

I didnt really put much thought into the subject. I dont see why the war could possibly

apply to our lives! Before we know it, the Japanese will again become allies with the U.S., and

everything will be fine and dandy! Kamele retorted.

The bell signalling the beginning of first rang louder than it ever had before, and class

began. The class discussed all of their far fetched ideas of what would happen next in World

War II. It was like reading a Choose-your-own-destiny book from many different perspectives.

Each student thought of something new and original. Some students were more on the realistic
side, and some were on a more fictional side of things. For example, Keilanas was very realistic,

and Kameles was very much a fantasy.

Each individual in this class had an intelligent view on what events the war has caused, so I

will not give you homework this whole weekend. Enjoy your days off! Class dismissed! Mr.

Kawai remarked.

The whole day was a blur for Keilana, who was ready for the weekend to begin, so she could

spend time with her friends and family. She walked home with Kamele, and they talked for a

long time before either actually went home. As they walked through the roads lined with palm

trees and flowers, the world seemed deathly quiet. They parted their ways; Keilana walked into

her kitchen where her mother stood at their small, granite island.

Where were you, Keilana? I was worried sick! Mrs. Pali exclaimed.

I was walking home with Kamele, Mom. Keilana stated. Theres no need to be jumpy.

Sorry, Keilana, but Ive had a lot on my mind lately with your fathers job. her mother

said.

Is there an issue at the naval base that he didnt tell me about? I thought that everything was

as fine as a fiddle. Keilana pondered.

Keilana, dont worry yourself with the situation. All I will tell you is that there has been

rumored Japanese attacks that people are saying may hit Pearl Harbor. Honestly, I dont think

that is a possibility at the moment. Well be okay. her mother said.

Okay, Mom. I didnt want anything serious to have happened when I was at school.

Keilana responded.

That night and the next day, Saturday went by faster than ever. Everyone was out Christmas

shopping, Keilana had dance lessons, and Mr. Pali was working at the naval base. Once Sunday
rolled around, the day just felt different than other days. Keilana and Mrs. Pali headed to their

Sunday morning church service, while Commander Pali headed to the naval base at Pearl

Harbor.

The church service that day was very solemn, and everyone in the sanctuary was just tired

and cranky, to be quite honest. While the worship choir was out singing Amazing Grace, there

was an explosion as loud as a firecracker. Mortified, all the people in the church looked out the

stained glass windows. They could faintly make out the naval base at Pearl Harbor, and there

were black puffs of smoke filling the air. No one really knew what was happening.

The pastor ended his sermon right there and yelled, Go home and be safe! Stay with your

families!

Keilana and her mother were running home crying a waterfall of tears. For once, they were

truly afraid that their island of Oahu wasnt safe. As they looked back, Keilana could see

Japanese fighter planes flying in from every direction and U.S. battleships sinking left and right.

She prayed that her father was safe from the explosions and chaos.

Once the mother and daughter stepped through the front door of their Oahu home, the two of

them tried to contact the naval base to check in on their loved one. They called them on their

home phone many times, but the line always seemed to be extremely busy. There was no telling

if Commander Pali was alive or not. They could not give up, so they walked to the living room

and their radio.

They then sat down on their brown leather couch that was worn with years of use and love,

and Mrs. Pali immediately turned on the radio. The station was broadcasting live at the naval

base. They said exactly what Keilana had expected. Many had died in the attacks and explosions,

Japanese fighter planes just kept coming, and battleships were sinking one after another. They
then called out the names of the current survivors by last name, and they said that everyone else

had most likely died or been seriously injured.

The news reporter began, Peter Aulani, Kawi Aulii, Walter Austin, Wilson Austin,

Merrick Bali, Andr Barry,

They heard more and more names get called, and when the news station finally wrapped it

up, Anakali Pali was not one of the survivors announced. That was it. He must have died.

Keilana and Mrs. Pali just sat there and cried until their tear ducts were dry.

The next few days, their bright house seemed much duller, and they kept hoping that one

day he would appear on their doorstep, smiling and overjoyed. The fact was that he was never

going to show up on their doorstep, or anywhere else on Earth, though it was heartbreaking to

accept.

Keilanas sorrow was a black hole, sucking up any and every sign of joy. She struggled

through depression and anxiety over the weeks after the tragedy. Considering that Christmas was

coming, it was not the most wonderful time of the year for the Pali family.

Keilanas best friend, Kamele, would come by to drop off school work and try to cheer

Keilana up before the holidays. Though Kamele did not know the feelings Keilana was

experiencing because she didnt lose any loved ones in the attacks, she always knew what to say

to her best friend. Before the two girls knew it, school had let out for winter break, and Kamele

continued to help Keilana cope with her sadness.

The Cravalho family invited the Pali family to spend Christmas with them, since it was their

first holiday season without the whole family. The two families mourned together and visited the

site of the naval base that was beginning to be rebuilt, just like the Palis happiness.
 When they returned to the Cravalho familys small home, it was the first time that Keilana

noticed the beautiful, colored lights strung throughout the front of the household. She also

noticed the decorated trees and Nativity scene placed inside the home. Things slowly were

beginning to get better, despite her lasting sorrow and despair. Through Kameles help, she was

healing from the wound that was her fathers death.

Thank you. Keilana whispered to Kamele.

For what? responded Kamele.

Thank you, Keilana said, for allowing me to begin healing.

Youre very welcome. I couldnt bear to see any other way than normal. Kamele said.

Through this awful crisis in Keilana and Mrs. Palis life, their friends had been there for

them the whole way. They were able to start restoring a part of their lives that was thought to be

gone forever. As Keilana grew up, she relied on others and allowed others to rely on her during

difficult times in life.

When it comes to tragedy, hope may not always be the first word that comes to mind. For

Keilana, it would be that first word for any situation because Kamele had given her an extra

sense of hope.