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Aue!

On Sunday afternoons, the two local all-Hawaiian, all-the-time radio stations on the island broadcast an entire show in the Hawaiian language. It's very cool, despite the fact that I have no idea what they're talking about. Oh I pick up the occasion place name or common word. But mostly, it's all Greek to me. Still, it's a lovely sounding language. This past Sunday, the Hawaiian word for the day on one station was actually three words: aue ka nani. It means, "How beautiful!" Aue is a wonderful, universal Polynesian expression that works really well in plenty of situations. You might say, "Aue ka nani!" at the ocean or a blooming flower, or you might say, "Aue! Da kine line at da buffet ees long, brah!" It's a great word.
After the vog, we had several lovely days with a little sun and refreshing tradewinds. Aue ka nani! Today, the trades died down, bringing back the humidity. Hopefully, we'll escape the vog this time. I watched the sweat roll down my arms and legs and felt it flooding my eyes at the gym today. I figure the bottles of water I downed were about equal to the amount that oozed out my poors. Aue!
We purchased 10 more coffee trees this week and will, as has become usual, plant a couple at a time, weather permitting, until their all in the ground and thriving.
I received yet another rejection letter the other day. I guess I'd rather receive a rejection than hear nothing. I'm thinking it's time to start applying for a broader range of jobs.
Folks are elated about the election here in Blue Hawaii. Most folks, anyway. There is a small conservative contingent here. Still, Democrats rule the islands, except for the governor. That wasn't always the case. Before WWII, Republicans were in charge. They owned all the major plantations and businesses. They were, in fact, the businessmen responsible for the overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy. They ruled until after the war, when immigrant veterans, some led by Hawaii residents of Japanese descent who just happened to be American war heroes, formed labor unions, got all the local people to vote and got themselves elected to offices throughout the state. The tide turned then and the state has been dominated by Democrats ever since. My neighbors had a Malama Solomon for Lieutenant Governor sign posted on their lawn. Solomon ran on the ticket with the Democratic challenger for governor. When I saw the neighbor today, I gave my condolences. "Sorry about your candidate," I said. "It's no big deal," she replied. "She's a relative and we thought it would be good for her to run to give Lingle and Aiona at least a little challenge. But it's OK, because Aiona (the Lieutenant Governor who was elected alongside Lingle) is my son in-law's cousin." So it's really all in the family here, Republican or Democrat. Uncle Daniel Akaka was elected in a landslide, as expected. On a national level, I can't wait to see if this new Congress can actually get something done.
We may head to the west side this weekend to soak up some beach sun and shop. I'll shoot some pictures, so tune in next week. A hui hou. Aloha!

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