Gecko Talk

A lot of people here seem to want the head's up if the surf's up! It's almost one of our ways of saying hello to each other. How high or how low the waves are in any given day seems to be a staple ingredient in people's conversations. I guess it comes with the turf of living on the island. We are forever connected and affected by the activities of the ocean.

I pressed the surf report button on my speed dial yesterday and it reports, " surf along north-facing shores is on the decline, and is expected to drop 8 to 12 feet today". Dropping at 8-12 feet? Yeah. At this time of the year (November to February), waves of monstrous heights up to 40 feet tall break at the famous Pipeline.

But surfing is not what I want to talk about here. Not today, at least. I thought I'd want to share with you how we live our daily lives on these beautiful islands. I'm not really sure where to start, but maybe what we do for fun is a good place to start.

Let me ask you this. When you hear the word 'Hawaii', what readily comes to mind? Perhaps, swaying palm trees, warm tropical climate year round, white sandy beaches, spectacular sunsets, the gracefulness of hula, surf, flower leis, rainbows, and more beaches. All of these are part and parcel of what makes this place a paradise to many.

But Hawaii is a lot more than that.

Have you ever wondered how we locals really live here? Beautifully, I would say. Hawaii is a melting pot of so many cultures. How we choose to express our lives is as colorful and multi-layered like the rainbows in our sky. And after centuries of co-inhabiting, we now share a lot of common traditions that are very unique to this island.

Okay, let's talk about food. For some of you who may have read some of my previous posts you may have guessed that was coming. I share this trait of love for food with everyone on the islands. Food, from the preparation to the consumption is one source of great fun out here. Us locals love food. Lots and lots of it.

Aunty got a promotion. Bring in the lau lau, and some lomi salmon. 

Don't forget the malasadas. And the haupia cake! What? You got fired again? No worries 'brah. We bring some teriyaki chicken, some Filipino adobo, Chinese dim sum and some Korean kimchee. My cousin Ikaika is bringing his ukulele, and we sing some songs, yeah? I'll talk to my uncle to help you find another job. But for now, let's get together and have some food! 

We find all kinds of reasons to get together and share some food. Many times we don't even bother to find any reasons.

And Hawaii tables reflect the diversity of the islands' populace. Even the 'lowly' lunch plate is a metaphor for the multiplicity of cultures present on the islands. Every lunch plate offers a variety of ethnic choices, all married together, and each plate heaped to overflowing. And always, accompanied by "two scoops rice and mac salad". Anything less is simply not the real thing. 


Lau lau or kalua pig. Cabbage chicken. Teriyaki beef. Pork cutlet. Chicken katsu. Adobo. Chow mein. When hungry, order a mixed plate, and you can get some of each. Nothing fancy but very filling. I try many times to finish most of it. I never succeeded. As of yet.

If a humble lunch plate is like that, can you imagine our Thanksgiving table? from our much celebrated affection for Spam, to Hawaiian poi, Filipino adobo, Chinese dim sum, Portuguese sweet bread, Japanese tempura and sushi selections, to Spanish empanadas and tamales, Korean barbeque and the Samoan palusami, the experience of being in one may be jarring to the uninitiated, or the new arrivals. But with my experience, so far no one is complaining.
Just remember one thing. When you find yourself one day in Hawaii, and someone in the street says this to you, "You like beef?", know that this question has nothing to do with what's for dinner. If I were you, just turn around and head for the other direction if you can.
For in this island, we also have our special way of talking. Even with the way we address food. We sometimes refer to them as "ono grinds" (delicious food). But all these will be for my next installation of Gecko Talk. I need to wrap this up here. I hear the gecko on my ceiling clicking its tongue as if to say, "time for a break". Whatever you do today, have fun . Aloha.


* lomi salmon - bits of salmon with diced tomatoes, onions, soy sauce
lau lau - meat cooked in taro leaves
malasadas - sweet bread similar to dough nuts but with no holes
haupia cake - cake with layers of a coconut cream filling
adobo - filipino dish, withmeat cooked in garlic, vinegar,pepper
poi - hawaiian staple, made out of pounded taro
mac salad - macaroni salad
ono - delicious

ahi poke - tuna cut into small pieces, marinated in soy sauce, green onions, garlic, onions, some seaweeds. Similar to the japanese sashimi. Real ono.