Aunty Pearl

I remember her smile the most from the first time I met her. It’s that kind of smile that makes you want her to be happy all time just so you can see the smile. Perhaps Church does that to Aunty Pearl, because when she’s praising is when you see that smile the most!

She’s the Aunty everyone has to stop special to say hello to as they are passing through via the Hana Highway. She’s the Aunty that legitimizes the teenage road trip. To go home and report, “We wen stop by and visit Aunty Pearl…” almost guarantees permission for a future road trip in the eyes of watchful parents who also love her.

There is a strong possibility that her husband, “Uncle Jr.” aided in her popularity. When he was alive, friends would visit, and visit and more friends would replace the ones that just left. Popular guy, “Unlce Jr.”. And always with Aunty Pearl amusingly waiting to hear him say, “Hon, mix the poi, I going throw net, we going fry ahole’s (fish historically saved for royalty) for everybody!”

Can’t say Sunday was less busy because of church, but that smile began on Wednesday in anticipation of bringing light on the Lord.

Years later, Uncle Jr’s friends still stop by to visit Aunty Pearl. And her days, always full, are replaced with the happy chaos of mo‘opuna (grandchildren). She still mixes the poi but keeps most of her family and fans smiling with her famous, one-of-a-kind coconut candy.

Aunty Aloha through and through, Aunty Pearl.

Aunty Aloha #1

So I’m tired, I’m really tired. I prayed for the forecast to be as it said it would be, stormy. No. I awoke and it was questionable. Oh My.…The pressure of bringing smiles to shave ice lovers (I thought). I needed to put gas in the car, because some of us don’t always fill the tank, here in “$4.89 a gallon” paradise. I awoke too early for my person to understand, 5:30am.

I went to Wailuku Hillside 76. I neglected to roll up my favorite soft khaki cargo pants and stomped inside, through small puddles, to pay cash. Cuffs wet, because I was wearing rubba slippers.

So I say, “May I have $20 on Pump #1?”.  The most bright-eyed, peppy aunty you will ever see at 5:40 am asks, “You get your kama‘aina card?”

It was drizzling, I said no with a poor-ting look. “Go get your card” – she says, motioning towards the parking lot.

I listened like she was my mother, I went and got my card. She was gonna save me money. Too cute.

“Hoooughhh” I exhale loudly as she rings me up, still dragging. “Who going eat shave ice on one day like this anyway?” I care freely say.

“Eh!’……You don’t know! The sun could come out?! They are going to want shave ice!!” Aunty says.

I smile. Thank you. I needed that.

So my morning is long and arduous. I arrive at 9:45am. Really? Who eats shave ice before 10am? I think.

The set-up minuscule, the line quickly forms. The heat was rising. Middle schoolers were HaPpY to get their sugar fix and a cool specialty. I knew I should have had real fruit juice flavors when the most adorable preschoolers came to get shave ice from me. Too cute, and a fundraiser to boot! I got to see the twins of a surf grommet I grew up with, brought back memories, made them very happy.

At the end of the day, after driving one of those Maui ‘perfect eight’ days…I needed more gas.

The same Aunty was at Hillside 76. I was happy to report. “You were right!” I exclaimed.  “I sold 100 shave ice in two hours!”

“See! What I told you?! Awwww….too good!”

Other workers chime in with enthusiastic noises.

I smiled an unmatched smile, she might as well have been relative. She was. Aunty “Hazel” at Hillside 76…you are an Aunty Aloha.