Mele Kalikimaka!

That Means

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Here's a version of Mele Kalikimaka performed by Bing Crosby!

I hope everyone enjoys their time with family and friends on this very special Christmas Day.

Enjoy, and Have a

Very Blessed Christmas!

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!

--Cheryl

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club

Book One—Pineapples in Peril

Available NOW!

Book Two—Menehunes Missing

Available NOW!

Book Three—Ukuleles Undercover

Available NOW!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

'Twas The Night Before Christmas . . .

Ahh, yes! You remember the story, right?

But you’ve probably never heard it quite like this (unless you’re one of my Hawaii readers or you read this post on my blog in past Christmases—but don’t spoil the surprise!)

Pidgin English is a unique form of English spoken in the islands. When I lived there I loved hearing my friends slip into pidgin. Most people speak it only when with friends, simply enjoying the relationships and having a good time.

One of my characters, Kainoa Onakea, uses pidgin every once in a while. Don’t worry, if you’re reading and not familiar with pidgin, another character’s comments will let you know what he means. I hope his use of it here and there adds a realistic touch to life in Hawaii.

Click on this link for a great rendition of The Night Before Christmas in pidgin.

And, if you’d like the words in writing, here’s another link. They may or may not match exactly, but you’ll get the idea.

Written Words--'Twas The Night Before Christmas

Enjoy, and Mahalo for your support this year!

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!

--Cheryl

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club

Book One—Pineapples in Peril

Available NOW!

Book Two—Menehunes Missing

Available NOW!

Book Three—Ukuleles Undercover

Available NOW!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

A Very Merry Pidgin and Hula Christmas!

I love listening to Pidgin English, especially when is involves the Christmas story. Here is a wonderful video I found. It has a conch shell horn, the Bible story read in pidgin, and a hula danced to Away in the Manger.

Enjoy as you contemplate this season and

the birth of Our Savior and Lord, Jesus.

Merry Christmas, and please keep visiting. My next post will be a delightful Christmas classic done in pidgin!

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!

--Cheryl

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club

Book One—Pineapples in Peril

Available NOW!

Book Two—Menehunes Missing

Available NOW!

Book Three—Ukuleles Undercover

Available NOW!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

Silent Night--The Hawaii Connection

It's December!! And if you’re like me, you’re going to watch a lot of Christmas movies during the month.

The movie, Silent Night, is based on a true story that happened in a cabin in the Ardennes Forest on Christmas Eve during World War II. I really enjoyed the movie, and was surprised to hear about all the factual information actually used in the movie. Hollywood, of course, had to increase the drama and conflict, but overall it reflected the essence of what happened.

Then my son informed me about the real-life little boy in the movie, Fritz Vincken, and how he came to America as an adult to locate the American soldiers and did find one of them who had been a part of his special Christmas Eve in 1944. He stayed in America and eventually settled—guess where??? Yes—Hawaii!

So, how cool is that??

Fritz became a baker and lived in Honolulu until shortly before he died on December 8, 2002 in Oregon. Another connection for me! I grew up in Oregon, and only recently moved across the Columbia River into SW Washington.

Do you know any amazing movies based in Hawaii or about Hawaiians? Or, maybe a true story with a Hawaiian connection? I especially love a great story that is also TRUE!!!

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!

--Cheryl

Snowfall At My House!!

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club

Book One—Pineapples in Peril

Available NOW!

Book Two—Menehunes Missing

Available NOW!

Book Three—Ukuleles Undercover

Available NOW!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

Hau'oli La Ho'omakika'i! . . . And . . . Lemon Cake Pie??

That's Happy Thanksgiving in Hawaiian.

If you'd like to know how to pronounce it, try this:

how-oh-lay la ho-o-ma-key-kah-ee

Hope everyone has (or had) a wonderful day with family and friends, eating, sharing, and making wonderful memories.

What are you thankful for? I am most thankful for God's hand in my life and the lives of my family. We have been truly blessed this year!

This year I'm getting a lot of help with the Thanksgiving dinner--all I have to worry about is the turkey and stuffing and my favorite--Lemon Cake Pie! Anybody out there ever had it?? Most people I know have never heard of it. It's yummy!

May God bless every one of my readers today and every day.

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!

--Cheryl

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club

Book One—Pineapples in Peril

Available NOW!

Book Two—Menehunes Missing

Available NOW!

Book Three—Ukuleles Undercover

Available NOW!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

The BIG Prep!!

Next week is Thanksgiving and I'm already anticipating the big day and all the preparations.

Do you have family or friends over to your house or are you going to someone else's home? I've been having family for a number of years now and always look forward to the celebration--but NOT cleaning the house! Ugh.

This year my oldest son and his girlfriend are bringing the mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls. My daughter is bringing sweet potatoes. So, that leaves me with the turkey, stuffing (my grandma's apple sausage stuffing) and the pie.

But I still have to clean. Ahhhhh . . . the joys (and the work) of having big family celebrations. But I wouldn't have it any other way. How about you??

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!

--Cheryl

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club

Book One—Pineapples in Peril

Available NOW!

Book Two—Menehunes Missing

Available NOW!

Book Three—Ukuleles Undercover

Available NOW!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com

My Name in Lights?? Nope--

But I do have some really fun Flip-Flop Lights!

I love the little polka-dots and the bright, translucent colors. These adorable lights were a birthday present from my brother. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to use them in my office (where they were hanging for this photo or outside on my deck next summer.

Do you have a favorite thing? Do your family and friends give you gifts related to your favorite things? Please leave a comment about your favorite thing(s).

Aloha, and Mahalo for visiting!

--Cheryl

The Hawaiian Island Detective Club

Book One—Pineapples in Peril

Available NOW!

Book Two—Menehunes Missing

Available NOW!

Book Three—Ukuleles Undercover

Available NOW!

www.cheryllinnmartin.com

cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com