by Joe Balaz
Kamuela Kim’s
great-grandparents
wuz immigrant workers
in da sugarcane fields
but dat wuz da extent
of her humility.
She wuz da owner
of wun ritzy Honolulu restaurant
and her Cadillac
wuz painted bright ruby red.
The Tropical Summit
offered fine dining to patrons
and da profits
helped to keep Kamuela
dressed in da latest fashions.
She wuz affluent
in mind and body
wit her huge ego
and expensive jewelry.
Her nose wuz high in da air
and you could see her sitting dere
in da elegant dining room
of her fancy establishment.
She wuz just as regal
as da centerpiece
on da back wall
flanked by pastel paintings.
Up deah on wun pedestal
wuz wun beautiful porcelain doll
in wun exquisite Parisian gown
inside wun showcase.
Kamuela smiled
at da chic decor and ambiance
and took wun sip
from her glass of white wine.
She wuz light years away
from hanbok clothing
and very much at ease
wit Chantilly lace and pearls.
Joe Balaz writes in Hawaiian Pidgin (Hawai’i Creole English) and American-English. He edited Ho`omanoa: An Anthology of Contemporary Hawaiian Literature.
Hawaii Pacific Review 