Readers have asked me to address the curious Hilo practice of reverse-in parking. Or as I like to call it, butt-first.
But first, let me say that I never noticed this manner of parking in Seattle. If a large truck — and why is it usually a large truck — tried such a maneuver in the Emerald City, a Volkswagen Beetle would swivel right in and cockaroach the coveted space before the trucker had a chance to shift into reverse. Pandemonium might ensue, except the nimble Bug driver would be off and running before Mr. Big Wheels could climb down from his lofty perch.
When I moved back home, I noticed this odd parking pattern and chalked it up to another of our Hilo quirks. (Advice to newcomers: If you object to quirkiness, you’d best move on.) Yes, it’s annoying to spot an open space only to find someone already lining up to reverse in, but since we’re full of aloha, we just smile and wave, giving them leeway to park butt first. (Another note to newcomers: Do not, I repeat, do NOT try the VW move. This isn’t Seattle and you could get your ‘okole rearranged.)
As I consider the amount of upper-torso-head turning I have to do when reversing out of a parking space, it seems the same effort and energy is required to reverse in. So what’s the deal and when did this start?
In the Dark Ages when I was a teenager in Hilo, I had to learn fancy arm and foot work before Dad let me take his Dodge out for a spin. We steered with both hands but sometimes stuck our left arm out the window to signal a turn. The right hand was occasionally freed up to shift a thin stick into forward and backward gears. At the same time, our two feet were busy working three floor pedals — gas, clutch and brakes.
Lolo folks today like to drive and text but back then, with body parts constantly in motion, we could barely drive and talk. Eventually, standard transmission was replaced by automatic and now, those lacking eye-hand-feet coordination still manage to fully stop then go at the top of Ponahawai in order to pass the drivers’ test.
So I conclude that reverse-in parking began when driving became too easy and some who have no business behind the wheel are cruising all over town and parking any kine way.
And now we ask the question — why? Why does anyone want to indulge in the clumsy and awkward butt-first action instead of the graceful and elegant face-forward? In what I think of as point-n-park, you see an open space, point your car at it, ease in, stop, pull up the handbrake, turn off the ignition and voila… parked!
Therefore, my conclusion is that reverse-in parking must have something to do with a quick get-away. We could list all those circumstances that require a speedy departure but in my experience, it’s especially useful for those trying to be first out of the church parking lot after services. (You know who you are, family members!)
And yet, just when I assume this is a Hilo oddity, I drive around the island and notice butt-in parking in Kona, Ka‘u, Kohala, Puna, Waimea, Volcano. When I first retired and moved back, I’m pretty sure it was only in Hilo where this zany phenomenon occurred.
So here is my final conclusion: Hiloans are trend setters. We enjoy doing something goofy and next thing you know, the rest of the island is following our example.
Which trend shall we set next?
Rochelle delaCruz was born in Hilo, graduated from Hilo High School, then left to go to college. After teaching for 30 years in Seattle, Wash., she retired and returned home to Hawaii. She welcomes your comments at rainysideview@gmail.com. Her column is published monthly.
