I knew Helen was ali’i and that her ancestors ruled this part of Maui before and during the reign of Kamehameha. Apparently this woman was a hereditary matriarch of some kind. She was dressed with a casual elegance that meant both money and taste. I admit to being so taken that I failed to register her title when we were introduced because her name was very VERY long and I’m pretty sure her title or titles were part of it. In any case she was clearly respected by everyone there and they deferred to her while continuing to joke around and enjoy themselves.
Tutu and Helen introduced us. She smiled and said something in Hawai’ian. Then she scrutinized me up, down and around like like someone at a horse auction. Without a warning she casually reached down to my thigh, pinched it, smiled and turned to Helen and Tutu. “He’ll do,” she announced.
That caused an eruption of laughter and applause and I was about to ask her who she was when a more formally dressed man explained that she’d just flown over from O’ahu and had to get back to the Maui airport for her return flight.
Before she left she stopped briefly to gently brushed the back of the fingers of her right hand across my cheek and said, “Well done.”
What the hell is going on? At this point I had no idea that everyone thought I was marrying into the family. But I was starting to wonder about what appeared to be tests when the next test emerged.
A group of older teens were talking among themselves while looking at me when one broke off from the group, walked over to me with a bowl of small red chili peppers and asked if I’d like to try one. I asked if it was hot and all he said was “one small pepper. Tiny.” and returned to the group.
Just being friendly? When I bit into it and noticed that the group was watching me closely. Then it hit. I know I turned red and started to sweat. I also know I’d been set-up and that it was another test. As I looked around for some water I was handed a beer … and more beers. If this was a new test I wasn’t about to fall for it. But at least I’d provided some entertainment.
My Hānai Mother © Robert R. Feigel 2022
Pieces from a Puzzling Life 