Reflecting on the charming and humorous aspects of life in Hawaii, several stories from 2025 highlight the unique cultural experiences of residents and visitors alike. These anecdotes reveal not only the distinctive local customs but also the universal connections that arise through shared laughter.
Memorable Encounters and Cultural Quirks
Gene Kaneshiro, whose family founded the Columbia Inn, recounted a memorable encounter during a visit to Tokyo’s Sensoji Shrine. Spotting two young men enjoying taiyaki, he casually greeted them with, “Howzit? Ono, that one?” To his amusement, they exchanged surprised glances, responding, “Oh wow, we dat obvious?” The trio shared a laugh, with Kaneshiro noting, “Two guys in T-shirts, Bermuda shorts and rubba slippas, walking la’dat, gotta be from Hawaii!” After discovering the pair were Hawaiian Airlines stewards, they parted with a signature shaka and a friendly, “laters.”
Russell Komoto shared a humorous anecdote from his family’s move to Kauai in 1975. One evening at McDonald’s in Lihue, he overheard a group of teenagers communicating in pidgin. His wife expressed concern that their daughter might pick up the dialect. Fast forward ten years, and the family found themselves once again at McDonald’s, now in an air-conditioned setting. When their daughter was called out by a classmate in pidgin, both parents exchanged amused glances, realizing, “I think we’ve been here toooo long.”
Deborah Emerson recalled her early days in Hawaii, fresh off the boat, and how she navigated the local dialect while working for the Legislative Reference Bureau. Her boss’s description of a senator as “he’s da kine” left her puzzled, highlighting the local vernacular’s uniqueness. Later, while working at the Attorney General’s office, she struggled to understand her secretary’s response of “No mo” when asking about a missing file, leading to a light-hearted revelation about the local way of communicating.
Light-hearted Tales from the Islands
Tosh Kaneshiro, also known for his family’s contributions to Hawaii’s dining scene, shared an amusing story from World War II. While walking through Chinatown, he saw a tutu waiting in line for liquor. He discreetly informed her of the true nature of the line, causing her to blush and leave in haste.
Scotty Bowman reminisced about a family trip in 1940 when they traveled from Hawaii to Detroit. After purchasing a new car, they drove to San Francisco to ship it back to Honolulu. While dining at a diner, someone asked how long it took to drive from Honolulu, prompting Bowman’s father to jokingly elaborate on their “six-day journey” across a nonexistent bridge, leaving the diner patrons bewildered.
Bryant Ching shared an experience from his move to Corvallis, Oregon, in 1963. His fluent pidgin resulted in locals mistaking him for someone from India, attempting to engage him in Hindi. Upon returning to Honolulu, his friends did not recognize his altered manner of speaking, highlighting how experiences can shape communication styles.
Willson Moore narrated a humorous incident in a Hawaiian Airlines lounge where a local man approached the desk asking, “Can give me wan stuff for put inside?” Without missing a beat, the staff handed him an envelope, showcasing the unique and often playful language of the islands.
Bob Sigall, the author of “The Companies We Keep” series, invites readers to share their own funny stories from 2025, emphasizing the joy and humor that permeate life in Hawaii.
Through these anecdotes, residents and visitors alike celebrate the lighthearted spirit that combines everyday experiences with the rich cultural tapestry of Hawaii, reminding everyone that humor is a universal language.
