Dodge 2022

The tiled floor of the old bank was layered with dust.

Hulilī 2022

8 hours passed.

Aihualama 2022

The lush exuberance of lauaʻe lay across the forest floor like a finely woven makaloa.

'O wai ? 2022

 A five-acre property sat overlooking the waters of Honomū on the big island.

Aupuni 10 2022

Mom was a wealth of knowledge and very worldly, which to me, as her son, seemed out of character because I had never seen that side of her.

Aupuni 9 2022

"We're going to talk about noho," Mom began while peeling away the shells of her boiled peanuts which she placed in a separate hand-sized bowl.

Aupuni 8 2022

 Aunty Elena, mom's cousin, laughed uproariously and soon turned red.

Aupuni 7 2022

 "What's wrong with you tonight?"

Aupuni 6 2022

Tonight's lesson was about making my own salt, which I had no clue that one could actually make their own salt.

Aupuni 5 2022

Tonight, mom is talking to me about spirits.

Aupuni 4 2022

Yandra's support meant a lot to me.

On those nights when she couldn't be with me at mom's place, she finished up late at work and then brought dinner for the three of us, after which she would head home. Some nights, the lessons were short; others, the time would pass quickly before we realized that six hours had gone by. Yet, all that time, Yandra was there, supporting in whichever way she could without complaining. Mom always made a point to remind me how thankful I should be to Yandra. If she was asleep when I got home, I'd ensure she got coffee first thing in the morning. If she was still awake, she got a foot or shoulder massage. On her days off, she'd stay at mom's with me, just hanging out until whenever we were done. Mom didn't mind if Yandra hung out in the kitchen or living room while we worked, even though she was within hearing distance. Between the lessons, when mom or I or both of us needed a break, she would say something like, "You should marry that girl," or "If you screw up and lose Yandra, you'll never find anyone like her again. Girls like her are hard to find, you know why? Good parents, that's why."

While Mom taught me about spirits, she suddenly stopped in the middle of the lesson and looked over at where Yandra was sitting in the living room. "Yandra, you have that Zoom or Skype thing on your laptop?"

"Yes, I do, mama," she replied. "You need to talk to someone?"

"Yes," Mom replied. "I'd like to talk to your parents if it's alright? I'd like to meet them in person so that we will already be well acquainted when I finally meet them face to face."

"It's one in the morning here, so it should be about seven in Miami," Yandra said. "Those two are early risers, so they should be awake."

"What do your folks think about my son here?" My mom asked.

"Oh, they spoil him to death," Yandra laughed. "Every time he comes over, they treat him like a king; you just wouldn't believe it, mama; it's like I'm not even in the room!"

"My son doesn't take advantage of that, does he?" My mom looked at me the whole time; she said she was ready to pinch me with her fingernails if Yandra said yes.

"You would have to see it for yourself; it's like a mutual admiration society," she laughed." So they shower him with affection and food, and he's politely refusing. Yet, he'll sneak over on the weekends, mow the lawn for them, or rake the yard. It's soo funny to watch. But, wait, you'll see once they get online!"

"You weren't taking advantage, were you, Timoti?" Her one eye brown raised in my direction; mom meant business.

"No, mom, of course not," I assured her. "What's this about all of a sudden?"

"I just realized that I haven't met Yandra's mākua, and now seemed like a better time than any," she said.

"Is that it for the lesson today then?" I asked.

"Even after you leave here, the lessons never stop," she gave me this serious look. "We'll take a break; for now, I want to meet your future in-laws. I'm assuming your folks are in favor of the both of you getting married?" Mom spoke to Yandra as she walked over the where she was seated in the living room.

"It's all they ever talk about," she sighed. "You would think Timoti was their son, and I was the girlfriend from some other Cuban family,"

Yandra had mom sit in front of her laptop while she got a hold of her folks on Zoom. Once Yandra's folks popped on, she introduced them to Mom, and the lovefest began. The three of them talked for a long time. Yandra and I were busy in the kitchen, making breakfast for the three of us. Camilo and Adoncia Marin were beautiful humans who moved through life with passion and love. How could you not love them? They claimed their love for me was because they could see how much I took care of Yandra and loved her. She smiled and laughed more than she used to because up until then, her days were dark, and her heart seemed to be unmendable after being broken to pieces. Her previous boyfriend, Alejandro, was abusive to her in many ways, but there was nothing her parents could do because she wouldn't let them. One evening, I happened by the house. I parked on the street, and as I walked up the driveway, I saw Yandra's parents struggling with who could only be the infamous Alejandro. Camilo and Adoncia were between Yandra and Alejandro, trying to get him to leave; otherwise, they would have to call the police. He was cavalier and dared them to do it and spat in their face. Something in me snapped right at that moment. I would never do that to my mom or grandparents; that was just unheard of. I kept my pace, calmly walked up to them, yanked Alejandro away from Yandra's parents, scooped him up over my head, and slammed him to the ground. I did it a second time to make my point. Alejandro struggled to catch his breath; his eyes were wide and glassy, and he was in a lot of pain, but he wasn't crippled. Yandra and her parents were stunned; they had no idea what to say or do. I gave Alejandro time to get his bearings and let him get to his feet. Before he could say anything or make any threats, I kicked him in the head and knocked him on his ass for good measure. He finally got up and hobbled off without a word. 

"I'm sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Marin, you were trying to save Yandra from her abusive boyfriend, and then I showed up and acted with more violence," I said. "I'm not violent, but when I saw him spit on you, I couldn't take it. I've never raised my voice to my mother or answered her back; that's just not how I was raised. This really isn't who I am, babes," I looked at Yandra, hoping she would understand. "I am sorry, I won't bother you guys again."

I remember turning to leave, walking down the driveway to the street. I remember the three of them coming after me, surrounding me with a big hug, and crying. We haven't been able to get rid of one another ever since. It warmed my heart to see that they loved mom as much as they loved me, like they'd always known one another. I was unaware that mom had had a talk with Yandra after she'd just moved here to Hawai'i permanently. She told Yandra that after her annual check-up with her physician, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer. With chemotherapy, they could help extend her life; without it, she would have three years to live at best. After seeing what chemotherapy did to her friends who did have cancer, she opted for the three years. That's when she realized that she needed to pass on the knowledge of her grandparents to her children. The why of it wasn't important; what mattered was that they absorbed the lessons she imparted. Mom wasn't expecting half the room to walk out when she announced her reason for our meeting. She also never expected that I would be the one to want even an inkling of learning anything Hawaiian. Yet, here I was with no clue as to the actual reason for her teaching me. In hindsight, it was better that I never knew; that way, there wouldn't be any distractions. Yandra was more valuable than I knew.

Aupuni 3 2022

Yandra, although not a member of the family, made herself worthwhile to mom in every way she could without being too much in her hair.

Aupuni 2 2022

The dawn of the early morning let its rays of still-rising light bathe the living room and the kitchen. I always liked it this way. This was a quiet hour before everyone began to stir in their beds, my brothers and sisters with their kidneys filled, knowing they had to come out of the excellent dream they were caught up in so they could relieve themselves and get on with their day. My mom sat in the far left corner of the living room on her rattan rocking chair, wearing her old bowling team shirt and quilt blanket on her lap. Physically, she was staring off somewhere, but mentally, her thoughts were filled with what she had to say to us once we were all awake and sitting at the table for breakfast. I walked over and sat at her feet on the freezing concrete floor. 

"Penny, for your thoughts," I said.

"Good morning," she smiled. "Your wahine must be fast asleep; won't she miss you if she finds you're gone?"

"She's fine," I assured her. "How are you?"

"I'm ok," she affected. "Can you please do me a favor, wash up and start breakfast? I'll go wake everyone up in the meantime."

While mom made her rounds, I went into the bathroom and did the routine: I washed my face, brushed my teeth, washed my hands, used the bathroom, and rewashed my hands. I woke Yandra up with warm kisses and pressed our bodies against one another. We made love quickly and promised to make it last when we were ready for bed at the end of the day. When I got to the kitchen, Mom had already fried the bacon and mixed the eggs simultaneously. I stepped in and took over for her, to which she smacked my shoulder with her koa wooden spoon and scolded me. "Go wash your face, can smell your girlfriend all over you!"

Embarrassed, I did what she commanded, and when I returned, she finally let me take over. By the time Terry and Thomas were awake, they were hungry and sitting at the table with growling tummies. My two sisters, Jana and Jen, were frying the French toast and the sausages. Yandra filled the Guava and Orange juice pitchers and had the last plates and cutlery set out. "Hello, strange person that we don't know who was not introduced to us," Terry got up, shook Yandra's hand, and hugged her. "I'm the oldest and most responsible brother," he said. "I'm Terrence, and this brooding Edwardian mess is the second oldest brother, Thomas!"

Tommy stood up long enough to say hello and hugged and kissed Yandra. "On french toast over there is the oldest sister, Janalyn, and on sausages is the youngest girl, Jenharad. It's a long story."

"We met already while going to and from the bathroom," Jana said. 

"We like her," Jen agreed. "She just jumped in and started helping, didn't even have to be asked."

"Of course," Terry continued ignoring his sisters as he always did. "You already have carnal knowledge of our youngest brother Timotee or Tim as we disproportionately call him because he tends to forget common courtesies like introducing his girlfriend to his family."

"Oh, stop being such a prude, Terry," Mom scolded him. "You were the very one who couldn't stop playing with yourself all through your teen years." Oh shit! My mom outed our oldest brother as the chronic masturbator in the family! We nearly pissed our pants laughing while Terry looked at all of us with disdain.

"Hah, hah, very funny, but don't forget who had to cover for most of you when you came home drunk, Jana, and you snuck a boy into your room, Jen! That was me who took the beating for the both of you!" He reminded the two girls.

"No one's forgotten that, Terry," Jana groaned. "Because you bring it up every chance you get whenever we're together!"

"Everyone, please, if it's not too much trouble, let's take our places for breakfast," Mom stretched her hands out as she always did. This indicated that we had to pray once we were seated. With her head bowed, and her eyes closed, Mom took a deep breath, and when she exhaled, she said, "Terrence."

In protest, my brother said, "Mom,"

"This is not a request Terrence," still, with her head bowed and eyes closed, Mom wielded power.

"Kū and Hina are our family's ancestors," my brother began. "Please give us your love and compassion and protect us as we partake of this meal and offer you the essence of it; Aloha,"

With that, everyone set forth to eat their breakfast, especially Yandra. Mom liked that she wasn't shy about eating. "You marry this girl," Mom nudged me. Once breakfast was over and everything was washed and put away, we gathered in the living room and waited for Mom to join us. She took her place in her rattan rocking chair and got to it immediately. "I want to pass on and teach you, children, everything I learned from my mama and grandmother. I'd like to start as soon as Monday."

"My school schedule is full, Mom," Thomas spoke honestly. "I'm carrying a full load this semester."

We've got work, the kids, and our ungrateful husbands," Jana spoke for herself and Jen.

"I'm Mormon," Terry said. "You know I can't; I mean, it was enough that I had to do the prayer earlier,"

After that, my older siblings came up with excuses for why they had to leave suddenly. Work, family, car repairs. Anything to get themselves out of there and away from any spiritual obligations they felt mom was trying to put on them. That left me, Mom, and Yandra. 

"I've got time, Ma," I told her. "I can start Monday."

...to be continued 

Aupuni 2022

The time of my life was spent in Orlando, Florida, with a great job and even more incredible nightlife.

Haʻi aʻo 2022

Pōhina was worried that his acceptance letter to the school he applied to would never arrive.

Rama2 2022

Frustrated, put out, and a bit insulted, the priest left.

Rama 2022

We all waited with bated breath in the small, cramped back room of the old house in Papakōlea.

Turns 2022

I, for one, pride myself on always following the advice of my parents and my elders.

Hoʻonā 2022

It is simple, really.

Huluhaele 2022

Featherwork is a tedious task and requires focus and saint-like patience.

Nalowale 2022

When my brother disappeared in Moanalua valley fifty some odd years ago, there was no fanfare on social media, no plastering of his face all over the place.

'Uhane 2022

I can't tell you why I suddenly started exercising because I don't know myself.

Ki'i 2022

 After my tūtū wahine passed away, the arduous task of clearing her bedroom fell solely upon me, for it was stated in her will that I was the only one allowed to do so.

Mum 2022

Throughout my life, I could not shake the feeling that my mother didn't like me.

Friend 2022

 Fried noodles today are not like the way they were made in 1975 when you were 13 years old.

Strange 2022

There's a favorite song of mine that resurfaces randomly every now and again.

Hulu 2022

Fingers pressed against the meticulously placed feathers evening them out, so they all faced the same direction.

Pana 2022

Awakened by the pulse and rhythm of the cadence of breathing, they stretched forth their hands and feet and tightened their muscles as much as they could bear without cramping.

Marks 2022

 Today the ancestors made themselves known in droves, but I could only speak to three of them. 

Their presence was overwhelming as they all tried to get in through the front door. They will take advantage of any opportunity to communicate their wants and needs.

Lana 2022

The light coming up over the horizon is a dull, muted color until the dark purples and slight oranges begin to manifest.

Hānau 2022

For years, I worried about the tradition of burying the afterbirth of my children in a proper location that would be our land in perpetuity.