Hash Run #11: Saturday Hash in Kahalu'u

Apparently, different hash groups handle things very differently. The Tuesday group I usually run with is pretty mellow, there is some crass behavior and the ever-present beer, but it's generally fairly tame. For the first time, I ran with the Saturday hash this weekend. It was a whole 'nuther ballgame. They take hashing VERY seriously. Starting with the run, which from what I understand is always off road and a longer distance, to the circle after the run.

The run was up to a waterfall in the mountains. We started at Kahalu'u park on Waihe'e Street, and went up the road which dead ends at a trail head. The trail had a Turkey/Eagle split, and since I didn't know what to expect, I figured I'd play it safe and go the Turkey route. Thank goodness I did because the Turkey was hard enough. It was pretty much just straight climbing all the way up to the waterfall with a beer check along the way. My hip flexors are aching today, and I blame all the uphill.

Since I was wearing a swimsuit, I followed some of the others and stood under the waterfall for a while. That water was cold! It made me gasp a little, but it sure felt good. Besides, how wonderful is it to get to stand under a waterfall in March? After the beer and getting soaked, we all headed back down. I love the downhill.

It wasn't until after the run that I saw how truly different the two hashes were. I had heard of the circle, but never really seen it in earnest. The GM (no idea what that stands for, I can hazard a guess, but I'm likely wrong) has a paper with the names of new people (virgins), those who need to be named, and returners (those who have been away a while). He goes through the list, calling those from each category into the circle and in short, make them drink a beer. The process seemed very regimented and everyone knew the drill, complete with songs and cat calls.

There were three people that needed to be named, and I was surprised at all that went into it. They let everyone ask the no-namers questions, and asked if anyone knew anything about them, then sent the no-namers away while the rest of group deliberated. This took about 20 minutes with lots of shouting and excitement. Eventually the huddle dispersed, the no-namers were called over and all the rejected names were read off. At the end of this list, the GM goes "Were any of these names good enough" and everyone yells "Hell, No." This is followed by "Henceforth you will be known by the Hash House Harriers as...."

Throughout the day, there were many songs sung and a beer keg was brought in (we all pay $5 when we register for the run). They even had a grill going. It was quite a party. The group's a little more raucous than what I'm comfortable with, but everyone seems genuinely nice. I'll just have to adapt.