Author's Note: This story takes place in Hawaii that is rich in different cultures. So that the various people could get along, "Hawaiian Pidgin English" has become the "common-speech" among the State's locals (don't call them natives). "Pidgin" is English blended with the native Hawaiian language and seasoned with a liberal dose of the languages of the other nationalities who later settled in the Islands. It is an abbreviated language that leaves out many English language conventions and often some of the words. The meaning, however, can be understood if the words are just said aloud - try it, you might get the gist of what was said.
No realistic tale about Hawaii's people would be contextually appropriate without a healthy dose of Pidgin. For those proofreading critics out there, I ask that you be open to a different way of speaking. Kick back to enjoy this local-style telling.
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Her name was Maddy, a twenty-four-year-old strawberry-blond with creamy-white complexion and sparkling blue-eyes. Standing at five-six, she was nice looking in a girl-next-door way. Yet, what drew you to this small-town girl from rural Massachusetts was her irresistable cheerful personality that put a smile on the faces of those she encountered. Simply put, Maddy's beauty came from within and never failed to make those around her happy and attracted to her.
Maddy had jumped at the opportunity to apply for a Pacific marine biology post-graduate internship offered by the leading Hawaii university and was thrilled beyond words when she was accepted. For her, this was a life-time's` chance to explore not only warm water biology but also the ethnic diversity of the Islands that was so starkly different from her homogenized upbringing. The lure of a different world thrilled Maddy to no end and deep down inside, she knew that this internship would be a life-changer.
This became readily apparent when during her internship orientation Maddy found herself a minority among the program's interns. She quickly realized that she was the only pale-skin/fair-haired one and that the other interns were dark-haired and with skin tones ranging from subtle yellow-ivory to rich chocolate brown. The latter was embodied in Kamuela who made Maddy gulp for some unknown reason the moment she laid eyes on his handsome face and those warm brown eyes of his. She couldn't believe her dumb luck whien she was to be partnered with him for the first semester.
"Howzit (Hello), haole (Caucasian, white) girl? I'm Kamuela -- that pronounced, 'Ka-moo-el-la' -- which is the Hawaiian version of Samuel. Just call me Kamu. So, Maddy, where you from?"
A surprised Maddy stuttered, "Massachusetts," as she adjusted her listening to grasp the spoken Pidgin English, its syntax changes, and unique idioms that she had read so much about.
"Oh," quipped Kamu "One of 'dem (them) missionaries who came to help us Hawaiian people and ended up helping themselves to our lands." Then seeing Maddy's look of amazement and uncertainty, Kamu quickly said, "Nah, nah, sista (sister). I was only pulling your leg. Aloha to the Islands. So, how come you here?"
"Hawaii has always been on my bucket list," slipped easily from Maddy's lips as she grasped what was asked of her. "Don't ask why -- it just has been...and, no, it's not Waikiki or any of the other travel attractions. This place with its different peoples and cultures is so...different...so intriguing...from my rather boring and bland hometown that has only one black person and a handful of Puerto Ricans. And before you say anything, Kumu, I'm not just a fly-by-night tourist posing as a student. I'm here to take advantage of a unique opportunity, in and outside of the ocean. I want to immerse myself in what Hawaii is and find whatever it is that I'm looking for."
"Yeow! Well, whop my jaws (I stand corrected)! So, you want to 'go local' (adopting Hawaii as your own)...good for you, girl. I'll make a kama'aina (a resident who's accept Hawaii as home) out of you yet. I tell you what, how about after we get through this boring orientation, we go get some grinds (food) at my auntie's Hawaiian food place up on Kapahulu Avenue. I want to see your face when you taste poi (mashed steamed taro) and poke (seasoned raw fish cubes). If you want to learn a culture, start with its food. What do you say?"
"Okay, Kumu. However, since you're willing to introduce me to Hawaiian culture and food, I'll pay. What do you say to that?"
"Oooh, haole girl. How did you know that the way to a kanaka's (Hawaiian's} heart is through his opu (stomach)...especially if it's free kaukau (food)? Shoots (okay)! You go, girl!"
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Three hours later, Maddy found herself seated at a small table with Kamu in a crowded bustling restaurant. She had discovered that despite his laidback local demeanor, Kamu was quite intellectual and very capable of turning the "Pidgin" on and off as one would turn on a faucet. He had graduated top honors from an all-Hawaiian private school where he also excelled in sports and especially football. While he didn't want to admit it, Kamu had achieved honors in his collegiate studies at prestigious universities on the mainland (the continental United States) before returning to Hawaii for his post-graduate internship and to his large extended family.
"Jeez, Kamu, we're not that different. Contrary to popular opinion...ha, ha...I'm not the dizzy haole girl that I seem. I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to studying but ain't too bad at running track...the four-forty and relay hurdles especially. Hey, in a small farming community of seven-thousand, there's not a whole lot to do. I graduated with my undergraduate and graduate degrees from the State's university with a dual major in biology and oceanography before applying for the post-graduate program that we're in."
"Ho, Kamu! Long time no see (it's been a while), nephew. And since when you into 'shark-bait'?" said a heavy-set brown-skinned woman who was clearly the bossy-type and who promptly kissed Kamu on the cheek. "What? The local girls not your thing (not your preference) after your mainland studies?"
"Nah, Auntie! Good to see you but no make shame (stop embarrassing me). This here is Maddy -- we're partners in our marine biology internship program. Maddy, this is my Auntie Leilani, my mom's older sister."
"Nice to meet you, ma'am," squeaked Maddy as she was unsure as to how to properly address Kamu's aunt.
"Girl, just call me Leilani. Nice to meet you too. It's about time Kamu brought a girl who has some manners and can put up with Kamu here. I hope you take good care of this kolohe (rascal) nephew of mine. So, now that introductions all pau (are finished), what you guys like (what do you want)?"
"Well, auntie, this is Maddy's first taste of Hawaiian food. So, how about poi... poke...some chicken long rice (bits of chicken in a rice noodle stew), laulau (steamed pork and salted fish wrapped in taro leaves), lomi-lomi salmon (small salted salmon cubes mix with diced tomatoes and onions) and a little bit haupia (coconut pudding)?"
