Tutu's Silvery Tub

Book excerpt: Tutu’s Silvery Tub contains some of the author’s earliest memories of growing up in Hawai‘i’s plantation era. It pre-dates the time of the myriad labor saving devices available to the homemaker of today. Tutu’s aluminum washtub served multiple functions in her home. It was a necessary item for doing the daily laundry; gathering fruit, coconuts, and vegetables from the garden; transported the day’s catch home from the sea; and held potting soil for transplanting yard flowers and vegetables. It was also a backyard wading pool; and when empty and upended, served as a Japanese taiko drum. When Tutu passes away, her grandchildren were all in school. He silvery tub was retired to on the bathhouse wall, a fond memory of days when people were inventive and used what was available for life’s daily activities.