Category: Just Asking

Just asking…

What does it take for a malihini (newcomer to Hawaii) to finally become kamaaina (long-time island resident)? It’s a status that comes with time, for sure.

However, part of the distinction has to do with how long you’ve lived here. Perhaps 20 years might be a qualifier, but what you know or have experienced matter, too. In short: embracing local culture and ways — what you think, how you talk — is part of the equation.

Some examples:

— You’re kamaaina if you remember when Kalakaua Avenue was a two-way street.

— You listened to J. Akuhead Pupule on the radio during your morning commute, not Michael W. Perry & the Posse.– You shopped at Liberty House, not Macy’s.

— You  worked at Hawaiian Pine or Libby’s, companies that raised and canned island pineapples.

— You drove down the winding Old Pali Road, to get from Honolulu to Kailua/Kaneohe.

— You speak pidgin, but can switch to standard English, too.

Get the drift? So now provide some thoughts on your kamaaina-ness…

Just asking…

Have you served on a jury?

It’s a civil responsibility, or so they say, starting with that envelope that beckons you to a court visit, to see if you qualify. Some love serving, surely not for the dough, free parking included.

Maybe it’s curiosity, if you get a complicated case.

Some fear the notice, because it’s possibly inconvenient, since you have a job, care for kids at home, provide caregiving for an ill relative, for any other conceivable notion—you’re prejudicial, you’re nursing an injury, you’re pregnant and due in three months, you’re deaf or blind and have difficulty to commute, you’re wheelchair-bound and have mobility issues. Whatever. The judge decides if your reason is valid enough to skip the service, but you are obligated to respond to the summons and appear in court to seek excusal. You’re expected to serve, or at least answer the call…unless you’re age 80 or older.

Among those who qualify to be excused include politicians, police and first-responders, mothers who are breast-feeding, those serving in the military. What recollection do you have about your jury-call or jury-served experience?

Have you been addicted to, or at least in the know, about cherry cola?

I used to periodically drink Coca-Cola’s cherry Coke, till it disappeared years ago.

It’s now back, in a new cola war with Pepsi-Cola.

So I bought a bottle each of Coke’s cherry soda and Pepsi’s wild cherry soda.

Disclosure: I’ve favored Coke over Pepsi over the decades. My fave now is Coke Zero (and Pepsi has its version, too).

In an unofficial and unscientific taste test, I can reveal that I liked the Pepsi over the Coke cherry-flavored soda. Was it because of the “wild” adjective? Hmmm. The flavor was “wilder,” so maybe.

Let me know if you agree, or disagree, or even care…