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Thursday, July 30, 2015

T is for Tutu . . .

Danilo Rizzuti/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 NO! Not this kind of Tutu!!

Tutu is an endearing term for Grandma. There isn’t a “T” in the Hawaiian alphabet, but the term comes from other Polynesian languages such as Tahitian. Kainoa refers to his grandma as Tutu, although we never get to meet her in the story.



The Tong Plantation is where the pineapple damage is occurring. The kids visit the plantation offices and fields several times throughout the book while on their quest to solve the crime and bring the vandals to justice. I loved imagining and creating this amazing plantation. I hope your mind creates the same amazing visuals as you read!

I hope to see you again next Thursday as I continue through the alphabet, giving you little snippets of words from Pineapples in Peril, Menehunes Missing and Ukuleles Undercover (Books 1, 2 and 3 of The Hawaiian Island Detective Club.) It’s the ABCs OF THE HIDC!

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!
--Cheryl

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club
Book One—Pineapples in Peril
FINALIST!
Cascade Writing Competition 2013
Book Two—Menehunes Missing
FINALIST and WINNER!
Cascade Writing Competition 2014
Book Three—Ukuleles Undercover

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

Thursday, July 23, 2015

S is for . . .

Surfing, of course!!!

Africa/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What would Hawaii be without Surfing?? Leilani is a big surfer-girl. Her surfing buddy is Maile’s older brother, Kainoa. Leilani’s been surfing with him since she was eitht-years-old, but now that she’s 13, she looks at 16-year-old Kainoa a little differently. Hmm . . . I remember the angst of teeny-bopper crushes—do you?

Then there’s Sam and all his Snacking. He always has something in his pocket to chomp on. I wonder how long he can go before he digs in his pocket again?

Finally, the big S words for the kids include: Sleuthing, Snooping and Solution. Come along with the members of The Hawaiian Island Detective Club as they Solve the mystery of who’s been vandalizing the pineapple fields.

I hope to see you again next Thursday as I continue through the alphabet, giving you little snippets of words from Pineapples in Peril, Menehunes Missing and Ukuleles Undercover (Books 1, 2 and 3 of The Hawaiian Island Detective Club.) It’s the ABCs OF THE HIDC!

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!
--Cheryl

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club
Book One—Pineapples in Peril
FINALIST!
Cascade Writing Competition 2013
Book Two—Menehunes Missing
FINALIST and WINNER!
Cascade Writing Competition 2014
Book Three—Ukuleles Undercover

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

Thursday, July 16, 2015

R is for Rain . . .


Porbital/freedigitalphotos.net

Yes!! It does Rain in Hawaii—nearly every day. But the rain in Hawaii comes usually as a quick tropical downpour. It’s wet, but warm, and seems to vanish as quickly as it appeared. Depending on which island and which side of the island you’re on, Rain can be light or heavy during the year, and there are definite rainy seasons. My favorite experience was hearing the rain blow through at night while I was in bed. The next day, then entire area was refreshed—and the sun was shining. Ahhh . . . what great memories!

Here’s one other “stormy” word—Rivers. That’s the last name of Carly, the kid’s dreaded enemy. So, how does she end up with Leilani’s treasured surfboard? Oh my—those little twists and turns of life! Experience them with Leilani, Maile, Sam and Kimo when you read Pineapples in Peril. Carly is not only a huge annoyance in book 1, but becomes a suspect in book 3, Ukuleles Undercover.

I hope to see you again next Thursday as I continue through the alphabet, giving you little snippets of words from Pineapples in Peril, Menehunes Missing and Ukuleles Undercover (Books 1, 2 and 3 of The Hawaiian Island Detective Club.) It’s the ABCs OF THE HIDC!

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!
--Cheryl

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club
Book One—Pineapples in Peril
FINALIST!
Cascade Writing Competition 2013
Book Two—Menehunes Missing
FINALIST and WINNER!
Cascade Writing Competition 2014
Book Three—Ukuleles Undercover

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Q is for Questions . . .


Stuart Miles/freedigitalphotos.net

Ever had a younger sibling or a child/grandchild who drives you crazy with a b’zillion Questions? That’s what Kimo constantly does to Leilani.

Kimo wants desperately to be part of The Hawaiian Island Detective Club. He bothers her and tells her why she needs him as part of the team—because he’s a really, really good detective and knows lots of stuff!

Will Leilani ever give Kimo a shot? And what happens when Kimo discovers something about Leilani and threatens to tell their mom? Hmm . . . bet this sounds familiar to those of you with siblings. Me too—I have younger brothers!

I hope to see you again next Thursday as I continue through the alphabet, giving you little snippets of words from Pineapples in Peril, Menehunes Missing and Ukuleles Undercover (Books 1, 2 and 3 of The Hawaiian Island Detective Club.) It’s the ABCs OF THE HIDC!

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!
--Cheryl

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club
Book One—Pineapples in Peril
FINALIST!
Cascade Writing Competition 2013
Book Two—Menehunes Missing
FINALIST and WINNER!
Cascade Writing Competition 2014
Book Three—Ukuleles Undercover

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Are You Planning a Barbeque???


Happy Fourth of July!!

I'm taking a little break from The ABC's of The HIDC as we look forward to celebrating our nation’s independence on July 4 with parades, festivals, picnics, family fun, barbeques, and—of course—fireworks!

The same kind of celebration happens in Hawaii. In 1959 Hawaii became the 50th state in our union and all America celebrates this holiday.

But what about Hawaii’s Independence Day? It’s called La Ku’oko’a and is an observance of November 28, 1843 when a treaty was signed by France and Great Britain, recognizing Hawaii as a sovereign nation. During this time they also came to an agreement with the United States.

King Kamehameha III sent several delegates on this mission. Sir George Simpson traveled to England while Mr. Timoteo Ha’alilio and Mr. William Richards traveled to the United States.

Enjoy your July Fourth celebrations and if you’d like to read more on the history of La Ku’oko’a, please check out this site:


Happy Independence Day!!

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!
--Cheryl

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club
Book One—Pineapples in Peril
FINALIST!
Cascade Writing Competition 2013
Book Two—Menehunes Missing
FINALIST and WINNER!
Cascade Writing Competition 2014
Book Three—Ukuleles Undercover

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com