05-20-2007, 04:46 AM
Jeff, the "small town" aspect is what I meant. The "small town" in regards to Hawaii is the entire East Hawaii, a somewhat larger area than most small towns. In addition, there are more relatives in East Hawaii than most small towns on the mainland because of the vast majority of non-transits. Small towns on the mainland have people leaving, going off to college, etc. Here, most stay around as they have done for years. "Cousins" here in East Hawaii are, in fact, cousins. That's unlike the "Auntie" expression, where it pertains to an older woman. That's much like an expression, "Dad," that was used years ago in the South to express respect for an elderly man.