Smith knew that nobody except Captain Cook laid as much of a claim to the Pacific as James Michener.
“In fact,” says Smith, “one of the first things I did on arrival in Hawaii was to check in with him and apply for my license. This Ocean belongs to him, scribblewise. If anybody else wants to write about it, he must make application to Mr. Michener and state his qualifications, and then deliver one wheelbarrow of coconuts to the Michener apartment on Lewers Road in Waikiki and after that, perhaps, he will get his license.
“When Mr. Michener handed over my papers, he said, ‘Remember now, no laughs.’ And I replied, ‘Don’t worry.’”
 
Editor’s Note:
HE DIDN’T KEEP HIS PROMISE!