Back in the 70's wen Oahu wuzent as crowded, I had an unko Tony and his family that had a place down North Shoa side of Oahu. It wuz not far from Kami's store Mauka of Kam Highway. That time we used to go visit him during the summa months. He had foa daughters and wun son. My aunty was from the mainland but could cook ono kine local food. My unko knew a lot of things from building homes, mechanic cars, going holoholo (hana pa), and planting unreal fruits.
We would also go get papaya fruit from where Kuiilima is (Now it is called Turtle Bay) befoa the hotel opened up. Prior to moving to da north shoa, my unko used to raise koi in Kalihi. He had all kine of different cala wuns from all gold, to white, to filipino kine (cala koa). So wen he wen move he took da koi to his work at Kuiilima (he was the luna on building dat hotel) Ova dea they had da kine spring in the ground an dats wea the ! fish ended up.
While he wuz working building stuff along the north shoa we would have to help my cuzins do their choa's. We would do them as fast as we could so that we can go swimming. We would go across da street to Rocky point, Ehukai, or hitch hike to Waimea Bay. We preferred to go to Waimea so dat we can go jump off the rock wit the locals. We used to stay dea for hours. Da tourist used to stop at the top overlooking da bay and would take pitchas of da bay.
Then on weekends my unko would take us holoholo on his boat from Mokuleia to Kahuku point. We used to hanapa good grinds. Who can say dat you can eat lobster foa dinner and da leftovers (lobster omelette) foa breakfast. Just for fun we would also go to the sandbar by Heeia Kea. Those were the fun days.
My cuzins also owned horses and a motorcycle. It was great foa a city slicker from Kalihi to learn how to ride motorcycle and horses. One time my cuzin Tony wuz packing me on his motorcycle. We didn't have any license and wuz cruising on Ke Nui road between Pipeline and Rocky Point wen the local cop saw us and gave chase. What saved our 'Okole was that their were speed bumps on dat road and the cop couldn't get us- man I was sweating. Another time a cop pulled over my cuzin Tony in Haleiwa (this time he had a driver license) and started to ridicule him because his name was Antone K. Keawe jr and he was looking at a Hoale boy (local profiling).
On weekend evenings we would go to Koga theater in Waialua to watch movies. Of course, had to stop at Jerry's across from Haleiwa Beach Park for "befoa goin home snack" (Saimin or Banana Splits). Another ono food wuz a thing called "Din Din" and it was served from a lunch wagon across from Laniakea. It was an oversized delicious burrito.
I finally grad from high school and three yeas later I came to Oregon. Main reason LUV and second reason engineering school at Oregon State University. The first part didn't work out but the second part did. I continuously return to O'ahu at least every two yeas. I would visit my uncle until he passed on about six years ago. He had been a big influence in my life especially my chosen career. Till today his huge house stands on the bluff (The Keawe's sign). We sure miss those hanabudda days.
About Author
Douglas-Bryant L. Souza was brought up in Kalihi, Oahu. "Dougie Boy" is a '78 grad of Kamehameha.
I live in Tualatin, Oregon and married to Mary with two children: Darion and Kaleomehana.
