Haole Wood Read Online Free PDF Page B

asked.
    “What makes you think I’m not a local, a Kama’aina ?”
    “Because I would have met you by now,” he said, taking my hand. “I’m Mike Hokama.”
    “Jaswinder Park,” I said, squeezing back. I loved playing handsies. “And actually you’re right. My dad grew up here, but hasn’t lived here in years. I’m just a haole.”
    He laughed. “And a gorgeous one at that. I’m a sucker for haoles,” he said, picking up a strand of my hair and tickling my shoulder with it.
    “I bet you are,” I said, rolling my eyes.
    “So come on, where are you from and how do you know all these Hawaiian words?”
    “California and grandma.”
    “Let me guess. You have a little old Hawaiian grandmother?” He raised his eyebrows. “I’m not sure I believe that.”
    I pushed my hair behind my ears. “Believe it. Halmoni was born here. She’s lived here all her life. She married my Korean grandfather, who also was born here.” Most people couldn’t get past my coloring to discover any similarities with my ancestors. “She lives not too far from here.”
    Mike snapped his fingers. “I know your grandmother. She lives inland a little ways, in a cottage style house set in front of a bunch of kukui nut trees. Mrs. Park?”
    I nodded. Uh oh. How did he know my grandmother?
    “She’s great. Everyone knows Halmoni. In fact I tried to buy her property a couple of years ago.”
    “What do you do?”
    “I’m in development.”
    “On Maui?”
    “Yes, my home.”
    “Oh.” I thought I had seen the bartender give him the stink eye. It was the tourism paradox. Natives hated to see their island chopped up for rich tourists, even though it was tourist money that paid most of their salaries. I bet he wasn’t very popular here.
    “They’re not making anymore land, and it’s all we have so why not make the most of it?” he said. “Whether they like it or not, I’m doing it for the natives who live here, and for our future. If we can manage the growth we can preserve our island’s beauty.”
    “And make money,” I said.
    “And make money,” he agreed. “Shouldn’t the money stay here, instead of in the pockets of foreign or stateside investors? Why not us? I’m working on a major deal, bigger than Maui has ever seen, and the profits will stay on this island.”
    “How do the islanders feel about it?”
    “Oh,” he waved his hand as if brushing away flies. “They want to keep their heads buried in the sand. If they can surf, afford some liquor and pot, they don’t really look toward tomorrow. They just want to bellyache about the old ways and the new tourists and not change a damn thing.”
    “I guess I can understand why,” I said. “I haven’t been here for years and I’m amazed at all the new construction going up right off Highway 30 heading toward Lahaina. It kind of made me sad to see all those houses marching up the hills.”
    “It’s called progress, Jaswinder.”
    “I know, but Maui is such a magical place. I’d hate to see it lose its charm.”
    “We have the best beaches on the planet. Our hotels operate at over eighty-percent occupancy at any given time. People want to come here. Who are we to keep them out? Don’t even get me started on all the purists who want to keep the road to Hana as difficult to drive as possible. We can maintain our soul while making guests feel welcome at the same time. What’s wrong with that?”
    “I can see your side. But who is in charge to make sure all this growth is what’s best for Maui? Who can control the greed, once it starts? Back in San Diego our government sold out to mega-developers years ago and now we are all dealing with crazy traffic, piss poor infrastructure, and our economy is a mess. I would hate to see that happen here.”
    “I agree. That’s not what I want for my land, my birthplace, the place I hope to raise my sons.” He smiled at me.
    He was so good looking I could feel myself blush. “I know. This island is unbelievable. I