While my partner in excessive food consumption naps after a fantastic brunch hosted by his incredibly generous grandfather, I've been perusing a six-year-old and well-thumbed guidebook to Maui. It has seen considerable use on our previous two trips, but this time we've been busy with wedding-related events (it was a lovely wedding) and with concerted efforts to chill out after all the stress around the move, so we haven't been too adventurous. (That comes this week ... ) However, it does have a run-down of "Hawaiian pidgin" that I've found very enriching. For example:
Cornbeef eye = giving someone a dirty look
Grinds = food
Hold ass = a close call while driving your new car
Bus nose = a reaction to a bad smell
Chicken skin kine = something that gives you goosebumps
Da kine = a noun or verb used in place of whatever the speaker wishes (apparently)
Sharkbait = pale, untanned people
I have to confess that the last one hits a bit close to home. We did see a white-tipped reef shark on our snorkeling trip and I am pleased to report that he in fact paid me no attention at all. So there. We also saw many green sea turtles, and I think they are my favorite part of snorkeling.
This afternoon we hit the beach. Coming soon: We scale a volcano, navigate a coastal highway, hang with the paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys) in ranch country, and encounter Paris Hilton.
This place rocks!
(vocabulary courtesy of "Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook" by Andrew Doughty and Harriett Friedman ... heaven forbid I should neglect the citation!)
