Pageants, Fish and Frank Answers

Dear W,
You really are a honey. No whining and no self pity when you didn't win in the pageant - just the facts that you "had a wonderful time" and "met a lot of new friends". I join your parents and grandparents in being proud of you. I could take a page out of your book! Let me tell you of my frustration. In you long letter (and I love your long letters) you mentioned the date and the place of your pageant. I got in touch with a florist I know and told him what I had in mind to send you: a lei of tiny white fragrant flowers (ilima) with a red bow (where the lei is joined) to be delivered to the Hilton in Merrimack. "California"? he asked. "No". I said. "New Hampshire". "New Hampshire"! he bellowed. "That's in New England!" I agreed that he was right. "Six thousand miles from here" he moaned. Well, to make a long story short, he said the lei would never survive such a trip - especially in the dead of winter. I suggested hardier flowers, but he convinced me it just couldn't be done. So I had to give in. At least, I thought, I can send her a telegram. So I phoned the telegraph office. No, the gal told me, no more telegrams to (or from) the mainland. However, she said helpfully, if I'd read it to her, she'd phone you and read it to you. I pointed out I could do that myself! But I knew you'd be into a hundred things so I had to compromise and send you good vibes winging over those 6000 miles. (If I had been the judge, you would have gotten my vote!) Do you have an extra newspaper with the write-up?

About penpals, if your whole class would like foreign ones, I can send you many more columns of names.

Now. About the tropical fish you asked about. When you come right out and ask, I feel I can be honest. And I hope you will be, too, when I ask. I have never understood why people want to own fish. I like to go to an aquarium once in awhile, and over here the fish come in many colors and shapes and are interesting - to a degree. But they're a lot of work (I'm told). You can't pet them, or take them out, or talk to them. I've had friends who had them and seemed very happy. So I shall wait to see what you have to say!

Speaking of frank answers. I have one for you: The necklace (with bracelet) I sent you. Was it exactly what you had in mind? It came from the shop your grandmotehr said she had gotten hers. Tell me.

Murphy graduated, but not with honors, I'm afraid. But (as with you) we pointed out it was a fine experience and that he had met new friends. He agreed and (as with you again) he's cheerful and happy and a joy to live with.

Thank you so much for those lovely letters yous end with the articles and cute pictures. I think anyone could guess that you and I care a lot for animals. (I like the ones you draw). You sure had a long cold winter. Are you getting a few signs of spring and flowers and warm weather? Say hi to your family for me.

Much love and Aloha,
E.R.G.

Of Coral Necklaces and Pumpkin Pie

Dear W,
That was a fun letter you wrote me. I got some real laughs with the jokes and cartoons you included.

I am still working on "Diamond Head". I want to be sure everything I tell you is correct, so I check everything - and that takes time.

But with Christmas coming so soon, I'd better concentrate on that first. I've already written to your grandmother to help us with the coral necklace. First - the color. It's just as easy for me to get the exact color you want. I know there are white, pink and orchid. Maybe there are others. Check with your grandmother. Second - length. Choker or medium length? I suggested to your grandmother that if you two do such things, you could exchange your necklaces depending on the colors you are wearing.

It was dear of you to ask what I'd like for Christmas. It may be hard, at your age, to believe there's nothing I want or need. But I can tell you this: every time I get a note from you it's like Christmas for me. I love to get pictures of you and news of your sports, hobbies, and activities.

I'm so glad you mentioned getting the postcards from Australia. I had forgotten I had asked my friend there to send you a couple. Were you surprised to get the cards? She's a lovely gal who used to live in part of our huge mansion on Diamond Head. I am enclosing an aerogramme which is what I use to write my friends in any foreign land. It's the cheapest way to send mail there - but you may not enclose anything. Otherwise, it would go by ship and take forever. Here's one for you with the right postage on it. You can always get more at the Post Office. Ask for "aerogrammes".

Two things: 1) You forgot to tell me what date in December is your birthday. 2) Shall I renew your subscription to World or do you read the one in school and I'll send you something else?

Is your weather starting to get cooler? Are your leaves still beautiful in all their glorious colors? My sister in Massachusetts enclosed a few in her last letter to me. They reminded me of pumpkin pie - another autumn favorite!

Love,
E.R.G.

Elephants, Animals & Penpals

Dear W,
When Christmas morning finally arrived, yours was the first present I opened. Such a nice little elephant to join my collection on my bookcase. Thank you very much. I wish you could see them all! In glass, fabric, wood, china, soapstone, etc.

Well! Finally! Your package left our Post Office on 24 January. I'm really terribly sorry it's so late. I want to mention a few items: some of the things won't be wrapped, for they aren't "presents", but were given to me and I want to pass them on to you. I'm sure your family will groan when they see the number of clippings, articles, and newspaper pictures. So look them over (fun to do on a rainy or snowy afternoon), and toss them out. I just couldn't bear to. The trouble is that you and I just love animals and suffer along with the ones who are mistreated. I'm sure your grandmother would enjoy seeing the material that concerns Hawaii.

Speaking of animals, I have taken a dislike to Garfield. Maybe I'm a dog person. In this order are my favorites 1) Snoopy, 2) Howard Huge, 3) Odie (the pup with Garfield). A while ago, our two newspapers every day for a whole month published pictures of dogs and cats supplied by the Humane Society and begging people to adopt them. I thought the month would never end. I suffered terribly; they just haunted me. I wanted to take every single one! I'd love to own a huge ranch so I could adopt every unwanted and hurt animal I could find.

I got a great idea for you - if your father and mother agree. Every Sunday in our paper there is a column of mostly teenagers from all over the world who want "pen pals". I am enclosing a few which I marked as suggestions. Because you are so mature you could answer some who are a few years older than requested. And if you are taking a foreign language in school, you might correspond with another teenager in that country. The letters you write are so interesting and you are into so many activities. I'm sure you'd have an exciting correspondence with someone nearer your age. (But don't give ME up!) And here are a few aerogrammes that can go to any foreign country. But don't forget you can't enclose anything - a clipping, an article, a picture. Later you can send those in a regular letter, and take to the Post Office to find out how much it will cost.

Tell me about your Christmas and your birthday. One more thing. I did write to the National Geographic back in early December when I sent a cheque and asked that you be sent a birthday card on 19 January to tell you of the renewal of The World. Was this done? And on time?

Well, dear, a belated but loving wish for a wonderful 1984 for you - filled with adventures, and exciting things in school, and of course, continued good marks in all those subjects.

You have been a joy in my life.

Love, E.R.G.

P.S.
Just think. When you visit Hawaii some day, you will probably be the best prepared in your knowledge of all the Islands than any other tourist who ever came.

Of Psychometrists and Candy Bar Contests

Dear W,
I'm so sorry I didn't get to meet your grandmother in person; but we talked a few times at length. She sure sounds like a jolly person - vital, eager, curious, enthusiastic - much as I imagine you are. She had a wonderful tour company! She had seen or was going to see anything I was going to suggest. And, indeed, some even I had forgotten. I was amazed. She never sounded tired, but I don't think she got much sleep. She's a gal after my own heart: go-go-go, sleep and relax when you get home. See everything you can. She even got to Maui, so she might enjoy seeing your folder of that Island. I'd love to be a fly on the wall, and hear her tell you of different places and things. Be sure and say hi to her for me.

Thank you for being so sympathetic about my stamp collection. Of course, it was mostly my fault for not realizing this tropical atmosphere can wreak havoc where you least expect it. Soon I shall write to you about Diamond Head where I lived in the lovely old broken-down mansion. No, I didn't mean a Wendy's stand was put up there when the house was torn down (that would never have been allowed). It was the owner of Wendy's - a multi-millionaire, I imagine. He would have to be to put up the gorgeous house made to his specifications.

No, I wasn't a teacher at the University of Hawaii. My official title was psychometrist (sigh-com-ee-trist) which means I measured psychological variables such as intelligence, aptitudes, and emotional disturbances. In plain words, I tested normal and abnormal children in public schools on all the Islands (except Niihau). As I never would test after 12:00 o'clock noon (when they might be tired and not do their best), it meant I had long afternoons and evenings for sightseeing. I was allowd to stay in the best hotels (fine food and exceptional Hawaiian shows of dancing, singing, fire throwing, etc), and had to rent a car - so I could go-go-go, too.

I lived in Washington, D.C. for about a year, and saw all the things you mentioned. I was so sorry the new little panda died. How are you coming on the candy bar contest?

Love,
E.R.G.

P.S.

The Hawaiians sure do celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, P residents Day, Valentines, Labor Day, New Years, Memorial Day. They celebrate anything, everything, nothing! They celebrate because it's Tuesday or Friday or Sunday; they celebrate because the sun shines - or it doesn't sh9ine. They love to celebrate.

What a discouraging sentence you wrote: " I don't think I'l even visit Florida or Hawaii..." Of course you will! You will go to and seen any place in the world you want to. Have a little patience. Get all the education you can. Study a foreign language if your school offers it - especially French. Or Russian - or Spanish or Italian. And read. I can't stress too much how important this is.

You asked about volcanos on Oahu. Next time I'll tell you about our beautiful Diamond Head - complete with pictures.

Do you have a friend who is also interested in Hawaii with whom you can share all your new information?

Your penmanship is a joy! Where did you learn it? Are you able to read mine easily (more or less) ?

I've given you all the Hawaiian words I know. If you have specific words in mind, I can findout what they are if ther is a translation of them.

Love,
E.R.G.

Diamond Head & Merry Christmas

Dear W,
You asked about volcanos on our Island (Oahu). I shall write more fully later, but at least here's a picture of our one and only - Diamond Head - but dead for thousands of years. It's our big landmark, and can be seen by ships, planes, people. It is "east" in directions as in "go mokua (toward the north mountains) for two blocks and Diamond Head (east) for three." (Diamond Head has been a big part of my life since I've been in Hawaii - but more later).

It's easy to say Merry Christmas in Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka (mee-lee kah-lee-key-mah'-kah). Try it a few times. It's fun.

I sure wish one to you and your family from warm Hawaii - 88 degrees today. And a grand 1983. Maybe we conservationists will win a few more battles. We'll sure try.

Love,
E.R.G.

Saga of the Garrigus Stamp Debacle - Part 2

Dear W,
I left a letter for you in my mailbox, and, as the mailman took it, he left your card. Thank you so much. It was very dear of you. I noticed the stamp on it was of Scott Joplin, the master (and, I guess inventor) of "ragtime". One of my favorite forms of music which I just love. A month or so ago, there was a movie of his life and music on at 3:05 a.m. which I stayed up to watch. It sure was worth it. and then your lovely newsy note arrived. Your letters are just great!

Guess what I'm going to do! I shall finish up my "Stamp Collection Saga" - and not tease you anymore.

Though I didn't lose interest in my stamps, I wasn't as actively involved with them as I had been. I kept on buying sheets of each new commemorative - groaning as the price went up, actually from three cents to twenty - as they are now.

When I came over here to Hawaii, I knew I'd be too interested in seeing all the sights and starting my new job at the University of Hawaii to pore over them. So, I wrapped those I already had very carefully, and kept them in the good old steamer trunk. Because I had to go to the neighboring Islands so often, I found a charming little elderly man who owned a stamp store (really a tiny hole in the wall) to get my commemoratives for me. In the course of time, he and I became good friends and often talked of my collection. (He literally drooled over some old stamps he knew I had). I promised if I ever were to sell it, I'd give him first choice. He often asked if I were sure I had all the stamps well protected, and I always answered "yes" very casually.

At this time, we were living on the top of Diamond Head in a lovely broken-down old "mansion" which we rented very cheap because of its condition (someday I'll tell you about this dead volcano). Well, one day the owner sold our home to the "Wendy" hamburg people. (Do you have Wendy's? It's like McDonald's and Burger King). They were intrigued with the location and had millions of dollars to tear down our house (and two others) and erect a wonderful new town house. So we had to move - from nine large rooms to five smaller ones so I decided to get rid of my stamp collection. I phoned my stamp man to tell him and make an appointment in a week or so. He was so excited. He begged me not to wait - to bring the whole trunk over right then. So I agreed.

He met me in the parking lot and carried it into his store. He locked the door so we wouldn't be disturbed. He said the whole thing was probably worth $10,000. (I figured $8,000, but hoped he was right!) We raised the lid of the trunk and smiled at each other in anticipation. The first thing he wanted to see was my original book of my great grandparents' very old stamps. I took the cover off it. And we both stared at it in perfect horror. Bookworms, silver fish, droppings of roaches and other bugs! How they got there, I'll never know. But I'll never underestimate what tropical weather can accomplish. For instance, the large sheets held together with paper clips - they had rusted through all the pages. I won't dwell on how loathsome everything looked. Even the stamps put so carefully in the glassine envelopes were stuck to each other. He and I were too heartsick to say anything. We hurriedly looked through everything else to see if anything could be saved. Nothing could be. We silently packed everything back in the trunk, and he put it in my car. There had been tears in his eyes as he looked at the remains of the stamps he had looked forward so long to see. Of course, I too was disappointed. I rescued quite a few - even if they had to be glued onto letters. I think the ones on this envelope are about the last I have that were any good. I am inclined to be a fatalist. Que sera sera! (What shall be, shall be). Now you have the full story of my stamp disaster. Learn from it! Find out from someone experienced on how to care the best way for your stamps. (And be sure to ask your grandparents for their old stamps).

Love,
Elizabeth Garrigus

Saga of the Garrigus Stamp Debacle - PART I

Dear W,
Here starts the "Saga of the Garrigus Stamp Debacle".

I was about your age when I decided to collect stamps. I can't remember what instigated this. Lord knows there were no "pretty" stamps then - none of the soon-to-be multitudinous gloriously colored ones with pictures of floweres, animals, people, buildings, causes, philosophical sayings, states and their mottoes etc, etc. They were just plain ordinary stamps - and cheap!

Both my sets of grandparents had been New Englanders with ancestors back to the Puritans. On my Mother's side, my sister and I were the only grandchildren; on my Father's side, with many grandchildren, she and I were not only the youngest but the only girls. I guess no other grandchild up to then had ever been interested in stamps so when I appealed to the four grandparents for any old stamps they might have, they were amiable, agreeable, and cooperative. They had attics filled - indeed, overflowing with their "treasures" they couldn't possibly throw out (Junk, I called it, until I knew much later what it was worth).

So, they went through their boxes, drawers, trunks where they found letters from their grandparents and, I guess, great grandparents. They just overwhelmed me with the number they found.

I started sto get the stamps off the envelopes and into my stamp book. Fortunately, I did meticulous work. (I think those who do handwork tend to be very particular). I was always careful to keep a list of those stamps I didn't have so when the conversation was steered to birthday or Christmas presents (usually by me!) I just happened to have the numbers needed to get them at stamp stores. (I canremember once my Mother gently and plaintively complaining that she had to pay a dollar for a two-cent stamp that I had needed. Today it is probably worth at least $2500 - if you could even get one). My many Uncles with their house full of boys, were most generous to a young girl and her stamp collection.

Soon the Post Office started to print beautiful commmemoratives in their sparkling and many colored and , usually, larger stamps. I usually bought a whole sheet: 100 if the stamps were small, 50 if they were they big ones.

I decided about this time to spread out from keeping just one new stamp for my book to four "plate block" ones. I expect you know these. They are the four stamps in the corner of a sheet with sxome numbers in the margin. (I never did know what the numbers stood for!) A little later, to add to these four, the next four beside them had the words "mail early in the day". So I saved them too. Now the Post Office was starting to recognize that stamp collecting was big business, and wanted to sell as many as possible. Next, another four had the words "Use your zip code" in the margin. So I added those to my colledtion. New commemoratives came out two or three times a month. I never cared about collecting foreign stamps. I loved looing at them with the pictures of their royalty and their own special flowers, animals, etc, but I figured I was lucky to keep up with those in the United States.

First I kept my stamps in boxes; then in cartons; and finally I acquired a small size steamer trunk. So far, I've just been talking about ordinary postage stamps. I was also getting "air mail", "postage due", all kinds of "tax" and "documentary" stamps. I know there were others, but, for the life of me, I can't remember their names.

My steamer trunk was getting really full. Then the Post Office decided it wanted more money. Instead of four stamps with thenumbers, it ran thenumbers down the whole side of the sheet of stamps - and now you had to save twenty or so. And, which was more important, they didn't fit into the little envelopes I had been buying. so I put them between pieces of wax paper - locked together by paper clips every four of five inches. (A big mistake as you will learn later).

For some reason I never belonged to a stamp club. I'm essentially a loner. I like to do things alone. If I had joined a club, I probably would have learned a lolt of things from other members that would have prevented my final downfall...

Needlepoint, Piranha, and Tussaud

Dear W,
I was so happy to get your letter. Thank you for the description and sample of latch hook. It sure puzzles me that I never heard of it, much less did it. It's interesting, but not my type of hand work. I hope someday you will get to needlepoint and bargello (or florentine stitch). Sweaters, socks, scarves (knitted or crocheted) wear out or get outgrown; but needlepoint hangings or coverings of chairs, sofas, etc lasts forever practically and increases in value each year. Not only is it very beautiful, but one can be so creative with her own designs.

I am sorry you had chicken pox, but, at least, you remained faithful to your love of wildlife: (chickens!)

Now you and I go right along together with our love of all animals, of all those that fly, of all in the water (do we have to include piranhas - those six-to-eight-inch voracious South American fish that travel in packs of hundreds - and with their sharp teeth can reduce a cow to the memory of a moo in less than an hour? All right. I can hear you say yes. So we shall.) But we definitely part company without any compromise on bugs, insects, rodents, and snakes - of all kinds. I loathe them all with a passion; any one of them can reduce me to a quivering pulp. But look on the bright side: we agree enthusiastically on three species out of four!

I really feel I know Hillsboro from your colorful description. I guess School Street is your Broadway - as in New York.

What a grand vacation you had! Even one buffalo was great to see. (It's more than I have). You must have gotten a good look at the koala bears at the Washington Zoo? I ache to see them. And I was interested in the Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum! Have you any idea if it's connected with Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in London? I went there many times in the months I spent in England. Gruesome mostly (all the known criminals in the acts of committing their crimes), but enthralling. (Of course, they had famous good people also). "Tussaud" is an uncommon name, but I never heard of one in our country.

Now the next thing I want to know are of you and your family. Parents? Sisters? Brothers? Mrs. Clarkson spoke of a grandmother. All old New Englanders or migrants from Oklahoma? Where would you prefer to live? I take it you aren't a city gal at heart as I am?

I love your picture. Thank you. I was sure wrong again about you. I imagined a fair blonde with short curly hair! I regret I have none to send you. It's one of my few idiosyncrasies - never to let a picture of me be taken. So long as I don't have to look at me, I can imagine I resemble the late and lovely Princess Grace or the ditto Ingrid Bergman.

I keep two envelopes on my desk for you: one has pictures of animals you'll just love; the other has Hawaiian bits so you can get the "flavor" of this Island with its many cultures and ethnic groups - and the dozens of festivals and celebrations that go on every day in one form or another. I think this envelope will fascinate you. You'll soon know more about Hawaii than you do about New Hampshire or even Oklahoma!

You can go all around our Island of Oahu in about 125 miles. Everything you see on water's edge is a beach. You're never far from one - even "inland". The Pacific Ocean over here is a lovely blue. Gentle, soft, fragrant. Much more later. And I'll get to my stamp collection disaster soon.

You are probably tired out reading this.

Love,
E.R.G.

Lava and Year of the Pig

Dear W,
I am sorry to tell you I was able to get only one copy of The Advertiser your haiku was in. I explained to the man at the paper that I wanted six copies (I know you said three, but I wanted you to give or send them to relatives and friends. I'm so proud of your beautiful little word poem) for a young girl from New Hampshire. He looked blank so I told him it was a New Englad state 6000 miles from Hawaii. He was very nice, and made three phone calls to see if he could get even one more. But no luck. Usually they have dozens - hundreds - left; but on that particular day, the volcano had erupted and the photographers had been able to get some stunning pictures people were either saving them or sending them to friends and relatives. If you turn over the page where your haiku is and look up in the left hand corner, you'll see that lava (2000 degrees) advancing down that road - where nothing could stop it. Some five or six homes were destroyed because they were in its path. You have much better pictures in color from magazines, but, even so, these are very impressive.

If you remember, some months agon I told that over here this is the Year of the Pig. Some of the others are the Year of the Dog, Cat, Horse, Rat - twelve altogether I believe. I thought you mikght like a "pig" souvenir. If it is too large, a cobbler or tailer can make it smaller I'm sure.

Thank you for the lovely Easter card. It arrived on my birthday - the fourth. So I had a whole long weekend of celebration. And I especially loved the little book bonus by James Herriot. I've read his four wonderful books - five, really, for one was of pictures of his beautiful but stark homeland. I sure wouldn't want to live there. How did your science fair project turn out? Did you really have snow today? It's almost May!

Love,
E.R.G.

Crazy Weather and Kamehameha Day

Dear W,
Our last letters passed each other. In fact, we were probably writing them at the smae time. For we both remarked on the late snow you were having which I was watching on television. And we talked about birthdays, too. Now you know mine is April fourth (Aries); but all I know of yours is that you're a Capricorn. I hope for your sake you weren't born on Christmas - or the day before or the day after, but I hope it was sometime in December so you were a little tax exemption for your family! Be sure you tell me the date. I'll send you a real Hawaiian birthday card. Nice.

Your snow must be over by now, though the weatehr over the whole nation has been insane all spring. My heart just aches for all those people who have lost their homes, furnishings, cars - and especially their memorabilia (pictures, records, old letters, papers, etc) that can never be replaced. They've workd so hard all their lives for those things.

I guess your school year is over by now. Are you headed out west again to the wide open spaces?

Now about your letter an dall the thoughtful things you enclosed. I am so happy with all the picures of you you enclosed. There was certainly a difference in you from 1982. You seem so much more mature this year compared to a little girl last year. Now you are a young woman! I so enjoyed the newspaper articles. You gals are certainly active. I'd love to hear more of your scientific project.

Your letter was so cheerful with all the different color in it.

You didn't mention "Howard Huge"? I think I like him better than "Garfield", but not as much as "Snoopy". I'm writing this on Kamehameha Day. I'm sending you some pictures. I only wish they were in color. The costumes and leis were breath-taking beautiful and colorful. And the floats! Thousands and thousands of blossoms. People worked on them for forty-eight hours before the parade started. Even the horses proudly wore flowers. These are the programs that television should be showing on the mainland from coast to coast. I'll bet most of the people would be enchanted.

Thank you again for your lovely letter with all the pictures. Congratulations for being on the honor roll AND playing the oboe.

Love,
E.R.G.

The Hawaiian Language

Dear W,
Would you like to know a little of the Hawaiian language? There are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet: vowels a-e-i-o-u and consonants h-k-l-m-n-p-w. Though some of the words look horrendous - long and unpronounceable they are really very easy if you remember one thing: the syllables of all words end in a vowel (the only exception is when two vowels sometime form a dipthong and aren't separated but form a single sound. As in Waikiki - pronounced Wy-key-key.) We have a little town called Kaaawa - pronounced Kah-ah-ah-vah. (When W comes near end of word it has a V sound. Most Hawaiians say Hah-vah-ay). One interesting note: in giving directions one never says north, east, south, west. East is Diamond Head (an ancient inactive volcano); west is Ewa: (Eh-vah) a small town; north is Mauka (mau-kah) - inland - towards the (so-called) mountains; Makai (mah-ky) toward the ocean - south.

I have picked some words out of the newspapers and magazines that we all use. The accent is usually on next to last syllable.
Ono (oh'-no) : delicious, tasty
Aloha (Ah-lo'-ha): Hello, goodbye, love, affection, kindness
Mahalo (mah-hah'-low): thank you
keikis (kay'-keys): children
auwe (ow-way): ouch!
pau (pow): done, finished, no more
kaukau (cow'-cow): food
luau (loo'-ow): feast with island foods, often entertainment. Tourists love this.
lei (lay): flower or leaf garland
lanai (lah-nye'): porch or patio
akamai (ah'-kah-my): wise or clever
alii (ah-lee'-ee): Hawaiian royalty or chief
mahimahi (mah'-he-mah'-he): a wonderful fish for eating. Especially with macadamia nut sauce
puka (poo'-kah): hole in shells, shoes, etc.
poi (poy): one of the Hawaiians favorite foods (tastes like library paste to me)
muumuu (moo-oo-moo-oo): floor length island dress - usually loose fitting
tutu (two-two): grandmother, elderly woman
wikiwiki (wee-key-wee-key): fast, quickly, in a hurry
wahini (wah-hee'-nay): woman, lady, wife (important for getting right restroom)
maile (my-lay): green vine type for leis for royalty or very important people
ilima (ee-lee-ma): small flowers for leis
shaka (shah'-kah): perfect, great, right-on
pupus (poo'-poos): hors d'oeuvres
kokua (ko-koo'-ah): help, assistance
kapu (kah'-poo): taboo, forbidden, do not enter
kane (kah'-nay): man - important to enter the right public restroom
paniolo (pah-nee-ow'-low): Hawaiian cowboys
ohana (oh-hah-nah): family or group of close friends
malihini (mah-lee-hee'-nee): newcome to islands, stranger
lolo (low'-low): stupid
hale (hah'-lay): house
da kine (da-kyne): that thing, whatchamacallit
brah (bra): brother, friend
kahuna (kah-who'-nah): Hawaiian priest
imu (ee'-moo): underground oven - especially for whole pigs for luaus. One of most delicious foods I've ever eaten.
Howz it? (hows it): How you doing? What's happening? (a greeting)
heiau (hey-ee-ow): ancient Hawaiian temple
hapa-haole (hah'-pa-how'-lee): half Caucasion
kamaaina (kah-mah-eye'-nah): long time island resident
lomi lomi (low'-me-low'-me): raw salmon delicacy
haole (how'-lee): Caucasion, white person. "Dirty haole" if local person dislikes you - some people (white) object to word haole. I don't mind.

Now! With all that I have told you, you are ready for this! Give it a go (from local newspaper): When I was a pastor of the Waimea Hawaiian Church on Kauai in 1943, Mama Kahale of Niihau brought her baby to me for baptism. When I asked her the name of her baby, she said: "Kuuleialohaikaainamalihini". I was puzzled by the name which means:"My beloved lei in a foreign land". When I asked her to explain, she said that her firstborn child had been brought to Kauai for medical treatment, had died, and was buried on Kauai.

Would you like to write your next letter to me in Hawaiian?

Love,
E.R.G.

Haiku and Dan Rather

Dear W,
Have I got a surprise for you: your haiku was printed in The Honolulu Advertiser last week. One, froma friend of mine, is just the block of haikus. Another, from me, is the whole page - so you can see how it looks in proportion. If you want more copies, I think I can get some. Would you like the whole paper, the complete page or just the little haiku section? Be sure and show it to your English teacher. She should give you a special mark, for it is a lovely bit you wrote. Maybe she'll even put it on the bulletin board or in your school paper if you have one. I'd be very interested: Did the Advertiser notify you, or send one, or acknowledge it any way? Honestly, I couldn't be happier if I wrote it myself. Do you have a paper in your town? I'll bet it would love to print it, too. Don't be unduly modest. You are probable one of the youngest contributors the paper has ever had: and it's a beautiful little haiku you wrote.

Last time I wrote, I was telling you about our 27 (27!) radio stations and 6 television channels (a new one was added). Now, to make matters more complicated, our programs are usually a week (at least) late. Exept or news programs, or specials which come by satellite which is very expensive. Even in those cases we don't get them when you do because of the time element. Let's take a simple example. Let's say you get the CBS Evening news with Dan Rather at 6:00 o'clock. Over here it is only 12:00 noon (when you have daylight savings time) or 1:00 PM (if you are on standard time). And, of course, no one would be home to see it. So our CBS station records it on film (it's on satellite) and holds it for five or six hours to show here when it's 6:00 PM our time. Usually it works fine, but if something happens in the world unexpectedly in those 5 or 6 hours, our man has to make many additions. By that time, you people in the East are already getting your late (10:00 or 11:00) news. If the program is important (for example: the last movie of "Mash" or "Grammy" Awards or the "Oscars") we do get it on the same day. Otherwise, practically all the programs: "Winds of War", "Life of Grace Kelly", the daytime programs, Johnny Carson, David Letterman, etc are a week late (some later). Many big stars who are on talk shows, say Johnny Carson, and wat to see themselves (and can afford it) fly over here to see themselves the next week.

You must be getting spring vacation pretty soon? Around Easter? It sure comes early this year for you people in New England.

Congratulations on our haiku.

Love,
E.R.G.

Military, Books, and Radio Station "Saucers"

Dear W,
I so enjoyed your long newsy letter. That haiku you wrote was lovely. I was so pleased you wrote it to and for me. Thank you. I shall watch for the one you sent to our paper. Don't be impatient. I understand there are hundreds received daily from all over. I am sending you a few more.

Now - about the Island of Kohoolawe. That is a sore point over here. The military uses it to test bombs and for other practices; and the Hawaiians are furious. They consider it a holy place, and want it back so that groups can go there to pray and meditate and maybe use it as a cemetary. it is a bleak place I've heard with nothing there but wild goats. Every once in awhile, a boat with some six or eight people go over there during the night when they can't be seen and scatter in all directions. When the military discovers the boat, it has to stop all its work until the people are rounded up, captured, and returned to Honolulu. On the whole, there is always friction between the Hawaiians and the military. The former resent the fact that many of the best parts of Oahu (beach property right on the ocean) were taken over by the Federal Government. Not only that, but we have thousands and thousands of military people some of whom get acquainted with us ordinary people. The Hawaiians don't like this. As a result, there are many assaults and muggings. The military was more than welcome, I guess, when Pearl Harbor was attacked.

As far as music goes, I like opera, old waltzes, big name bands of the 30's and 40's. I gues I'm not up on modern music.

Reading is my greatest joy: biographies, autobiographies, travels, modern novels, and mysteries. I do not like science fiction at all. You will get to them all someday. I remember Joy Adamson's books on those gentle lions, and Carolyn Keene, but I don't know Weaver and Kenny.

My handwork, for some reason, has always been with large pieces: afghans, intricate sweaters (with scenes, animals, flowers, quips - all knit in rather than put on afterwards) dresses, etc; and in needlepoint and bargello covers for chairs. I have never made the small things your Mom does, and they sound so attractive - especially the baby clothes. Fortunately I have always been able to do handwork while I read or watch television.

I'm always trying to think of unusual or different things to tell you about Hawaii. For instance, on this small island of Oahu (608 square miles) we have not only five TV channels but twenty-seven (27!) radio stations: Included are two Japanese (all talking, commercials and music are in that language); one Filipino (as with Japanese); one western-country; two religious, one "educational radio" (like education TV - no commercials); one Hawaiian ( just the music is Hawaiian - everything else in English - favorite of tourists); two "good" music (operas, concerts, sumphonies, etc); two talk stations (one local only, one has calls from all over the nation. Ihear many from New England); one of the Big Band music from the 20's, 30's, 40's (silky smooth). I guess all the rest are of one kind or another of the popular music of today. So, as you can see, there's something for everyone. Because of those large aluminum "saucers", I believe most all of these stations (and the television stations) can be heard and seen on all the Islands.

How's your weather? Do you get a vacation in February? It will soon be April with lilacs, tulips and a warm day here and there.

Love,
E.R.G.

Poets, Niihau, and Creepy Crawlies

Dear W,
Thank you very much for that lovely Christmas card - and especially the note.

There are a few things more I meant to ask you about yourself: Any pets? Like sports? Which ones do you participate in? What about music? Any special person or group? Do you know or like Hawaiian music? Do you have a stereo? I'll just bet reading is one of your all-time favorite things to do?! Poetry? (One of America's greates poets Robert Frost lived in New Hampshire during two periods of his life - in Derry and Franconia. Four times he won the Pulitzer Prize for the best book of poetry of the year. And the most lyric poet America has ever had, my wonderful Emily Dickenson, lived and died unknown not too far from you in Amherst, Massachusetts. Her favorite companions were "The bee, the breeze, and the butterfly of the Dickenson Meadow". Don't forget, this Victorian life she led was in the mid-nineteenth century.

To go back to your last note. Sometimes I don't answer your questions right away. I want to be as near 100% accurate as I can. So I keep checking. About our population. I have broken it down by Islands, and have depended on our 1980 Census. (You might want to jot these figures down on each Island's folder). So in round numbers:
Oahu 762,000
Hawaii 92,000
Niihau 226
Maui 62,000
Lanai 2,000
Kaui 38,000
Molokai 6,000
(Honolulu's 365,000 is included in Oahu's 762,000)

I found out a few things about Niihau (knee-ee-how) that I never knew before, and are, to me, fascinating: Niihau is the smallest of the Hawaiian Islands - 18 miles long, 6 miles wide (47,212 acres). There are 226 people there, of whom, 172 are registered to vote. It is called the "Forbidden Island", for no visitors or guests are allowed. Can you imagine - there are none of these things on Niihau: gas, electricity, telephones, indoor plumbing, post office, doctor, dentist, private school. There is one public school with 43 students enrolled in grades kindergarten through eighth. All the residents speak Hawaiian. When Hurricane Iwa struck the Islands last month, Niihau was hit first = and probably hardest. But none of the Federal or Local officials - including the Governor - was allowed to go there. The word went out: "We don't want any help. We'll take care of our own." So. Frustrated, the officials hired planes and helocoptors to fly over the Island and take pictures which were grim. Most houses were destroyed or badly damaged. (To go back to the population. You can see it all adds up to about 962,000 people. We shall soon achieve one million people - and we don't look forward to it!)

W, I want to change my assertion a little as when I told you that I couldn't bear creepy-crawlies. Later I thought of all the programs I sit enthralled with about these very same insects. In fact, I just watched an hour's program on Spiders! So I think what I should have said is that I accept them all intellectually, but not socially. I appreciate learning all about them, but I don't want them alive in my life. Can you accept this? Do you get these marvelous programs on the Educational Channel: "Nova", "Nature", "Odyssey" etc? (I wish I had had a teacher who took me to a lecture on herpetology. Maybe I wouldn't be so silly and squeamish).

In our Sunday newspaper, there is included a "magazine" called "Parade". In it is "Howard Huge". Do you get this? Three of my favorites are "Garfield", "Snoopy" and "Howard Huge".

Love,
E.R.G.