"Howzit?!" Howzit is a pidgin word, a greeting meaning: how are you or how is it going and is often used with the hand gesture of a closed fist with pinky and thumb sticking out.
Hawaiian Pidgin, aka Hawai'i Creole English developed at the end of the
nineteenth century, as workers from many different backgrounds were brought into Hawai'i to work in the sugar cane fields. Because of the language barrier and an inability to communicate with one another, a shortened and or variation of two or more languages was created and called, Pidgin English.
Some folks will use pidgin in conversation especially local workers socializing with one another on the job and in their leisure. You and I would not have a clue as to what they were saying and would be amazed that the unrecognizable sequence of words actually meant something!!! Jim and I came across a vendor selling tee shirts with "pidgin" sayings. Go to:
www.pidginoverdrive.com for more information or google "pidgin" online. Jim bought a shirt with words: NUFF AWREDI. Can you figure out what it means? You have probably guessed correctly: enough already, I have had enough or "shut up" if you are really upset or angry. Some words are easier than others to decipher but you can usually get the idea of what they imply! See if you can figure out what these Pidgin English words mean: ejamacated, bum bai, futless, wat fo', jusladat and spesho.
In October we went to the Hawaiian Fishing and Seafood Festival at the pier in Honolulu, a fisherman's dream. Many varieties of Hawai'i fish were displayed on ice, there were cooking demos, vendors selling tee shirts, and everything and anything related to fishing. We watched how "fish prints" are created on tee shirts using a real live fish! That was cool!
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| blue uhu fish |
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| garlic, tomato, basil leaves, capers |
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| getting ready for a taste |
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| mahi mahi pieces |
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| tossed in wondra flour |
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butter in pan, add fish, toss, vermouth around
edge of pan, toss, then evoo around edge
Ben Wong uses vermouth vs wine for cooking
less bitter, not as heavy as wine |
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| TV show similar to Mad Fisherman |
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| Ahi |
A new Disney Resort opened up just north of Waikiki on the west side of the island, in Ko'Olina. We spent time at one of the four man made lagoons all open to the public. Unfortunately the parking is very limited so you have to get there early in the morning to find a parking spot or later in afternoon when the locals are leaving the beach. Jim and I did not get into the hotel but hope to get back there again soon. It is a self contained resort hotel with all the amenities. Perhaps when the boys and Kate arrive we will take them over for a "look-see!" Did I just use "da pidgin?"
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| Honu Lagoon, Disney Resort |
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| Disney Hotel |
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| See the four lagoons at Disney Resort |
Jim and I did the Makiki Loop Trail, a forest reserve, not far from Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. We got a little wet at the beginning of our hike traversing through the lush variety of trees, kukui, eucalyptus, sandlewood, and juniper but at hike's end we were dry and warm coming out of the
forest to sunshine.
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| moss stone wall on Makiki Loop Trail |
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| pink plumeria |
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| rainforest Makiki Loop Trail |
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| young island bananas |
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| view of Honolulu, Makiki Loop Trail |
I visited Queen Emma's Summer Palace on Saturday, located off the Pali Highway. Ingrid is a member of a group called Daughters of Hawai'i, a group of women relatives of the missionaries who got together long ago, to save the palace and preserve this important historical landmark for Hawai'i. The Daughters of Hawai'i were sponsoring a book fair and offered guided tours of the small summer palace...I love hearing the history of Hawai'i!
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| Queen Emma's Summer Palace |
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| grounds of the estate, now a public park |
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| more of Queen Emma's estate |
Check out the double rainbow viewed from Sand Island off Honolulu! The rain from the mauka (mountains) side and the sun from the sea create the most beautiful rainbows here. Sand Island is a great place to pick up sea glass and small shells and I try to get there from time to time because it is quiet with few people aside from a few locals or two.
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| Sand Island beach looking towards mountains |
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| Can you see Jim relaxing in his beach chair? |
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| Steel debris "sculpture" reminds me of a dragon |
Still playing with my beads, watercolor creations and zentangle drawings in between walking the hills, biking to town and reading. Every other week or so I have been meeting Kay for lunch or a movie. All good stuff!!!
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peyote stitch, amazonite oval stone and
turquoise crytal |
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| mini watercolor book with heart charm |
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wire wrapped watercolor book, sterling silver charms
shell found at North Shore O'ahu |
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sterling silver charm and book...gave this one
to my massage friend Barbara |
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| more mini books |
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| shell from Sand Island O'ahu |
Adam arrives on Thursday and will stay for three weeks. Brendan and Kate arrive a week or so later for ten days through Thanksgiving. Jim will be cooking for all of us this year at our "home" in Hawai'i and we invited my elder friend Kay to join us! Kate is especially excited about her visit and we hope to make it memorable one for all!!! Ingrid has offered us her loft home upstairs to accommodate all of us. We have become fast friends, Ingrid, Jim and I and we are grateful for all she has done for us...she has welcomed us like family...it feels like I have known her all of my life...which is cool!
It has been a bit cooler than usual the last week or so with a bit of rain scattered throughout the day here in Kailua, the windward side of island. Honolulu and Waikiki are usually sunnier and warmer so we may find ourselves spending more time on that side of the island in the coming weeks, especially with the boys and Kate. We are gonna chase that sun wherever it may be!
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Ingrid's 11 month old grandson, Kekoa
anyone can learn to surf!!! |
Well my friends and family, take care and stay warm! Until next time!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!
Aloha nui loa,
Robin and Jim
PS read comment on how to post a comment...mahalo!
