Opal Estep was always known for being loud … very loud.

"When I was a kid in school, I was always in trouble. People always said I was too loud or I talked too much. I always had to sit at the front of the bus or at the front of the room in school."

"I guess I never changed."

Last week, her troublemaking ways worked to her advantage.

On April 1, Estep said "Aloha" to Ironton and hopped on a plane for Honolulu, Hawaii. While on the plane, someone announced that the plane was flying over Pearl Harbor, which caused Estep to unfasten her seat belt and run up and down the aisles screaming. At first, she was reprimanded by her mother and the flight attendants.

Then, she told them the reason for her trip.

Thirteen years ago, Estep was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and was told she would only have 6 years to live. On top of her illness, she has also dealt with the loss of three brothers. Employees of The Hot Spot spent a year raising money and sent her on her dream vacation.

Estep has had a love affair with the Aloha State since doing a book report on it in the fifth grade.

"I said, 'It's my dream!" Estep said. The flight attendants not only gave her a better view but also hugged her.

While on her vacation, Sheila Foe, an Ironton native who now lives in Honolulu read a story about Estep on The Ironton Tribune's Web site. Foe contacted Estep and took her sightseeing for two days.

Besides the aerial view, Estep also visited Pearl Harbor and the memorial to the U.S.S. Arizona on the water. While riding on a ferry, she met a Pearl Harbor survivor that shared his experiences with her.

When she learned about her trip, Estep exclaimed that she wanted Don Ho to sing "Tiny Bubbles" to her. Her wish was granted. Estep was seated at a special table in front of Ho where she could touch the stage. She had her picture taken with him, which he autographed.

"I got to hang with the Ho!" she said. "I thought he was going to be this tiny old man, but he wasn't."

Friday, Estep arrived at the Hot Spot to give the employees souvenirs from her trip, and to give owner Heather Montroso's 9-year-old daughter Savannah a hula doll. Savannah sold necklaces she made herself to raise money for Estep's trip.

"Can you believe it? Everything fit together," Heather Montroso said. "Everything just kept happening. It was meant to be. It's extraordinary."

"This tells that life is too short," she continued. "If there is something you want to do, you need to do it. Don't procrastinate."

"Words can't describe how happy I am for her. She has made me feel like everyone has a purpose in life. My purpose was to help her. It was such a precious gift to see her so happy."