Sometime late in the languid afternoon dreamscape, both fans turning, one thrush calling, a peach-colored finch chirp-chirping, the sky suddenly clears of all but white vapor pillows, cool and far-off. A passenger jet on approach to Inouye International dozes its way to silent touchdown. The rocky behind-the-house scatter gurgles muted babble (a Lowe’s fiberglass fountain)…

It is voggy today which explains the lethargy. The air is thick, smelling of ash, fire and wind. Tonight the fireworks will go off in Hilo Bay. It is already working in my blood so hold me tight and kiss me when the explosions happen. Of all the elements love seems the most important. Basic…

Okay, writers, it’s time to ponder July pieces for the Year of the Rooster contest. As it was last month, you can write a haiku or a piece that is exactly 100 words or a piece that is exactly 2000 words. Your choice. Here are the triggers for July: July 4th Fireworks Fire Water The…

Congratulations to Jim Harstad, Darrell, Rbibeau, Doreen B. and Zanelle. You are the June winners of the Bamboo Ridge online writing contest. Each of you has won ten Bamboo Bucks that you can spend in the online store. Just mention that you’re a June winner when you check out. Congratulations to all of you, and…

I trudged by their tent a few times every day at the campground on one of the most beautiful, secluded beaches in Hawaii. Of course I noticed them. I like to think I see everything with empathy and compassion. Sometimes I get the stories wrong and sometimes the reality of what I see is so…

“Any news?” “The usual,” Whitey replies, looking up from his Sunday Post-Intelligencer. “And the unusual?” “Now and then. Keeps me coming back.” Fresh flattop haircut. White sidewalls. “Uh, were you and Mom going anywhere?” “Today?” “Uh-huh.” “The car?” “Yup.” “How long?” He holds his safety-shielded shipyard reading glasses in his right hand. “Couple hours.” “Three…

First time I saw your muddah was at YMCA dance. Ho, she look like Miss Hawaii. Except when da song start, she hide behind her girlfriends. Finally when I went dance wit her, was j’like PE class. She no like hold close. She make like she went smell someting stink and was me! But when…

My father With a stiff white collar and classy tie, he disappeared into the night only to return with a lipstick stain for my mother to wash with bitter tears.

…orders one of us to retrieve a bottle of Primo beer from the ‘fridge. The routine has made small hands practiced with manipulating a bottle opener. He sits cross-legged on the hardwood floor, two feet from the television of our two-bedroom rental, the Hawaii Hochi paper spread to receive the discarded shells and skins of…

I placed my groceries on the counter. The tanned fellow behind me smiled and I stepped forward in the tight line a bit with wary silence. “You like carrots I see.” he was so cheery and so thin. I had noticed how he put the package of french bread back on the shelf. He only…