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Thanks For The Giving

By Terri Whitman © 11-21-07

Malia Palowunu wrapped the thin blanket more snuggly around her self. Living in Hawaii did not always mean warm sunny weather even in winter. October had proven to be a wetter than normal month and her small sparsely furnished home she shared with her younger brother, Kuke, barely kept them dry. She could forget turning on the heater because they no longer had any gas. Unable to pay the bills, all of her utilities were off, including the water.

Getting up, she went into the small but tidy rundown kitchen. Pouring some water into a bowl, she washed her body as best she could and brushed her teeth. Dressing quickly, she stomped her bare feet lightly in the effort to warm them. Once dressed, she brushed out her long shinny black hair taking extra care to untangle any knots in it. She was very proud of her hair. Her mother had never cut it since she was born and it now at seventeen, it hung almost to mid-thigh. Once it was free of tangles, she braided it carefully tying it off with her last rubber band.

She had made a decision last night to cut her long hair and sell it. Now she just needed to find out how and whom she needed to contact in order to do it. It was not an easy decision, but she knew she needed some money and this give her some.

“Kuke won’t like it,” she said to herself. Her brother loved his sister’s long hair because it reminded him of their mother.

One of her first household chores was to gather up the rainwater, which leaked through the roof the night before. Last night’s storm had dumped a lot of rain with most of the containers filled to the brim, some to sloshing over making the floor wet.

In the kitchen, she poured the remaining water from the big container into another smaller one. Then she walked through her home, pouring the water from the smaller ones into the larger being sure to put each container back in their spots to catch the next amount of water from the next storm. She then took the old towel and tried to mop up the wet areas. With this done, she went to get her brother up.

“Kuke…time to get up.”

Her brother stirred at little. Sighing and yawning, the twelve-year-old boy turned over and smiled at his seventeen-year-old sister. “What’s for breakfast?”

“Nothing yet, I thought we’d go down to Auntie Loke’s and see if she would let me work for some food.”

Auntie Loke was a heavyset Hawaiian woman whose own children were grown and living now on other islands. Her small kitchen/grocery store was located in a low-income neighborhood. A caring and giving woman, she made a point of looking out for those who were less fortunate. She never hesitated to give someone a loaf of bread or some other forms of food to those asking for help.

“Maybe she can give me a job too,” said Kuke pouring some of the rainwater into a bowl to wash his face and brush his teeth.

“Well, make sure you wash yourself more, not just your face. Auntie Loke said you stank the last time we were there.” Kuke stuck out his tongue at her but did it anyway. “I don’t like washing in COLD water. When are we going to get some warm water?”

Malia gave him a small smile; she knew what he was saying. It wasn’t very comfortable to bath in cold water and in a cold drafty room. It froze her each morning but she knew she had to do it to keep clean.

“At least we don’t have to go outside to get water from the neighbor’s hose. Last night’s rain gave us over two big pots of water,” said Malia looking over at her brother who was putting on his torn worn out tennis shoes.

“Malia now my left shoe has a hole in it. Can’t we get some new ones?”

“No Kuke and for the last time, we’ve got to make do with what we’ve got. At least we have the house Mama left us.” She, herself, didn’t have any shoes anymore. Somehow, she had managed to lose her only pair while they were out looking for scrapes of food and such. While forcing to do without, she would make sure her brother got a pair when she got some money.

On the walk to Auntie Loke’s they rummaged through whatever garbage containers they pass. Their scroungings was not very fruitful having found three slightly spoiled apples and an over ripe banana.

The old wood-sided whitewashed building had a battered old red Ford truck parked alongside. In the back of the truck were boxes of store goods. Upon reaching the back of the store, Malia called out, “Auntie Loke, you there?”

The door opened wide as Auntie Loke came out. Dressed in a bright blue, yellow and green flowered muumuu, the heavyset woman’s smile shown as brightly as her outfit. “Malia…Kuke…come in, come in. Where are your shoes, child?” she asked seeing the girl’s bare feet.

“I’ve lost them,” said Malia sticking one of her feet behind her other leg, the bluish tinge to her toes indicated they were cold.

“Child, you can’t go around without any shoes. I don’t care if dis is Hawaii; you’ve got to take better care of yourself. Here, come in. Let me see if I can get you somethin’ for them,” Auntie Loke said as she shepard the kids to the warmer area of her establishment.

“I’ve got holes in mine,” Kuke said not wanting to be left out of the attention.

“So I see. What’s this I see you’ve got?” the Hawaiian storekeeper said having spotting the fruit in the boy’s slightly bulging pant pocket.

“Just some fruit we found. We didn’t find nuthin else.” He pulled out the fruit to show her.

The woman took them from him. “Awee, where did you find them? In the trash? They aren’t fit to eat. Throw them away. I’ll get you some good fruit fittin’ for a growin’ boy to eat. Malia, why you let him get these? I thought you were taken better care of yourselves.” She tossed the fruit into the trashcan and grabbed a bag of apples and a bunch of bananas. “Here, you take these. These are better.”

Malia looked down at her feet, ashamed that this woman who she thought so much of had scolded her for what she had done. “Kuke was hungry. We hadn’t eaten in a whole day and this was all we could find.” Tears ran down her cheeks. She felt she had failed her brother.

Narrowing her eyes, Auntie Loke’s expression soften when she realized how her words had hurt the young girl. “I’s sorry Malia. I know your trying hard. It’s your no good father’s fault. If he hadn’t run off with that kanaka ‘ae’a instead of staying with your beloved mama, you wouldn’t be lookin’ in the trash for food. I still think someone should be told about you two.”

“NO! Auntie Loke, NO! Please…they will separate us. They will take Kuke away from me and then I’d have nothin’. Please NO! We can get by. I just need to find a job.”

“Yeah, but Kuke needs to be in school He needs his education,” gently reminded the woman ruffling up the youth’s curly black hair. “You need a haircut, Kuke too.”

“Malia can cut it and she’s been teachin’ me every day. I don’t need no schoolin’,” smiled Kuke.

Biting back her reply, the Hawaiian woman smiled at the boy. ‘Yes, you’re learning, but you need more schooling,’ she mentally said to herself.

“Auntie Loke, I was hopin’ you’d have some little chore I could do so I can get some money. We’re doing good and all but I thought I’d try to make a special Thanksgiving dinner for the two of us and that takes money.” She was fiercely protective of their freedom and she didn’t want to take any handouts this year if she could manage the finances herself. Somehow, she just had to find a job.

Smiling, Auntie Loke brought them over to the back storage room. Haphazardly tossed boxes filled one of the corners. “What if I give you fifteen dollars for flatten’ dos boxes and stackin’ them in a pile? I also need someone to restack some of the bags here in a better pile. You think you can do that Kuke while your sistah does the other? I’ll give you five dollars.”

*****

The outer doors to the Five-0 offices opened suddenly, but no one jumped being use to such occurrences.

“Ah…come on Steve. It’s just for one night,” commented Danny Williams. Each year around Thanksgiving, Kono and he headed up a meal program for the homeless, but McGarrett had bowed out each time saying that someone had to manage the office.

“Not this year Danno. Someone needs to be available in case of trouble. You three go on ahead and I’ll see you all first thing in the morning.”

Danny stood there with his arms crossed tapping his toe. “That’s the same thing you’ve said last year. You said you’d help out this year,” reminded the curly haired detective.

“Yeah Boss. Last year you said you’d be on the serving line. Father Noritz is counting on your help. Remember, he was able to get three more turkeys and Jenny’s even volunteered to cook two of them,” said Kono Kalakaua, licking his lips at the thought of all that food.

“Besides, Boss, you said I was the one on-call. Mia doesn’t mind and said that if I had to go out she’d fix me some of her special turkey sandwiches,” said Chin Ho.

Shooting his oriental detective a frustrated look, McGarrett raised his hands and shook his head in surrendered defeat. “Okay, okay…point taken. What time do I need to be there, Danno?”

*****

Kuke had all sorts of suggestions on how to spend the twenty dollars. He had visions of a mountain the size of Diamond Head in candy and gum. “Why can’t we buy some?” he whined after Malia refused to concede to his wishes. “I earned part of it you know.”

“We need to buy ourselves food, Kuke. We can’t keep going to Auntie Loke’s and begging off of her. And besides, you wanted a new pair of shoes and I can’t get you those if we buy any candy,” said Malia hoping the reminder of the wanted item would stay him from asking for something they could not afford.

Faced with his earlier want, the young boy stuck out his lower lip in disappointment. He knew his sister was right, but still…he wanted to eat some candy.

“Well, can we at least get one piece of candy?” he asked hoping to sway his sister a little.

Smiling, Malia looked at him and nodded her head in agreement. A dollar or two would not set them back that much but it would depend on how much Kuke’s new shoes would cost. “Yes, IF we have enough afterwards. I just wish we had a way of cooking a turkey like Mommy did.”

“Couldn’t you ask them to turn on the gas even for a day?” asked Kuke.

“No, they want the whole bill paid up first and we just don’t have that much money. So I was thinking if we got a small packet of that precooked turkey or a can of SPAM we could put that on the bread Auntie Loke has given us.”

“Can we have some rice? Mama use to fix the SPAM with rice, remember?”

*****

The little family of three got along as best they could. With no full time job, their mother did what odd jobs she could find, mostly being paid cash with no record of her employment at those places. By pinching back as much as she could, selling her wedding rings, her other jewelry, her long healthy black hair and using the majority of the money from her father’s will she bought their little home. The house had problems, but it was home and the previous Thanksgiving their mother had cooked a large turkey and all the trimmings. Inspite of the cost, she did a similar feast for the three of them at Christmas.

Little did anyone know, three months into the New Year a hyped-out, drug-crazed killer violently murdered her. Before he left her shattered body, he removed all forms of ID on her in the attempt to throw suspicion off himself, and then he disposed of her body where it lay for weeks before someone found her. No one knew who she was. No one knew she had a family. Due to the violence of the crime, HPD tried to find who the killer was, but after three months of no luck, they finally turned it over to Five-0, the State Police unit.

*****

The memories of the year before sadden Malia. Looking away, the teenager fought back the tears filling her eyes. Gathering strength deep within, she let out a big sigh.

“Kuke, we’ll have to make due this year. I’m going to try to get a job, but until then you have to understand it’s not like it was last year. I don’t know where Mama is, but isn’t here and the money she had hidden in the rice jar is gone, so now it’s just the two of us.”

The boy tried hard to understand, but he just could not. “When is Mama coming back?”

“I don’t know Kuke but I’ve got a feeling she’s not going to.”

*****

There never was an explanation as to why their father left only that he had. Their mother refused to talk about him and whenever either of them broached the subject, she would get a scared look on her face and quickly change the subject.

Now their mother was gone. The two children had no idea where to look for her. Their mother had left very early that morning while they slept without leaving a note as to where she was going or when she expected to be back. This was a common habit of hers as she tried to find some sort of employment - anything that might bring in a dollar or two to help sustain her family.

In the first few months, Malia paid the utilities with the money she found in the rice container. When the money ran out, she called the various companies to explain what was going on but the power companies ignored her by turning everything off. In the beginning, it was not too bad for the weather was warm and the daylight long. However, as winter came upon the two, it started to get difficult, especially taking the cold baths from water obtained from a neighbor’s hose.

*****

“Jenny, is Chin and Duke in yet?” asked McGarrett over the intercom. The planned 4:30 PM meeting was in ten minutes and he wanted to get it started.

“They just arrived,” replied Jenny motioning to the men as they walked into the office.

“Looks like the Boss wants to get a head start on tomorrow’s festivities,” said Chin Ho taking the lead. “What’s up, Boss?”

“I thought I’d go over the Jane Doe case you two are doing prior to the regular meeting. Anything on it yet?” The case new for them and the two detectives were fitting it in along with their other on going cases.

“Not yet, but it’s going to be hard to find out who she was - what with her not having a face and no finger tips. He said he’d get in touch with me as soon as he gets something, but who ever butchered her sure made sure it would be hard to get an ID on her,” Chin Ho informed him.

McGarrett’s jaw muscles twitched at hearing about the mutilation part. In his mind, it was one sick person to do this to another person and he vowed to catch this sadistic killer. “Duke, what about Missing Persons?”

“I’ve checked and no one had reported anyone matching her description,” added Duke Lukela.

Cases like this are hard to get good leads. Mutilations, unless they got lucky this was not going to be solved fast. Most killings usually followed a type of pattern and usually done by someone the victim knew. This case, so far, did not fit that pattern. Fortunately, there were no other similar killings known.

“I know it’s a grime job, but keep me informed on it. The Governor has expressed an interest in this case for some reason. Can we get a reconstruction artist on it?”

The head detective was starting to draw at any type of possibilities of getting an ID on this woman. A new department offered some help with cases like this by reconstructing plausible facial features by using clay. So far, the reconstructions were positive enough to identify three victims who were decayed beyond recognition. It was science in its infancy but it had many possibilities in forensics.

After Danny and Kono arrived, the meeting started. With reports given on current cases, the talk turned to the Thanksgiving meal given at Father Noritz’s church.

“I’ll pick you up, say, around 8 AM Steve, so we can be there by nine. No since both of us taking our cars there,” offered Danny.

“What’s a matter? You think I’ll not show up or something?” teased McGarrett.

“No, I…” But Danny did not finish when he realized he had taken the bait. Wrinkling his nose, he smiled. “Just make sure you’re there at nine then. We’re planning on serving by 11:30 and we’ve got a lot to get ready.”

*****

“Kimo, can you to do me a favor?” asked Auntie Loke waving over a tall Samoan boy.

“What’sup?” Kimo asked. He liked helping the woman. She took good care of him and his family many times when they were short of food and he was always looking for a way to help.

The Hawaiian woman pointed to the two thin kids who were just finishing up with the chores she had given them. “Do you think you can follow two young friends of mine home without them seeing you?” asked Auntie Loke keeping her voice low.

“Sure thing Auntie. They take somethin of yours?” inquired the Samoan.

“No…nothing like that. I just need to know where they live,” she told him without elaborating any further.

Worried about how thin the children were getting, she wanted to learn where they lived and to see how their living conditions were. She had thought of calling the authorities the time before when Kuke smelled so bad. The Hawaiian woman knew that was caused by bad hygiene and she wondered what type of mother would allow her children to get into such a condition.

The two of them watched the kids until they finished. Kimo discreetly left before they walked back to the woman for their promised pay.

“We’re done,” Kuke announced as they approached.

Auntie Loke walked to where they worked to see how well they had done. Smiling, she noticed the neat piles of folded up cardboard boxes and stacks of paper bags. “Very good, you both did well.”

“Can we have the money now? I’d like to go get Kuke some shoes and some food to eat,” Malia asked anxious to get going.

“You don’t need to do that. Here, I think I’ve got a pair he can have, you too. Can’t have you walkin’ around barefoot you know,” said Auntie Loke leading the way over to a table she had along the wall where several piles of shoes were.

“WOW!” exclaims Kuke. He never saw so many shoes before. His mother always brought home the new shoes whenever they needed them. It was just easier that way.

Running over to the table, Kuke looked through the piles for something he could wear. As he looked, he noticed the shoes were not new but used. “Hey, these aren’t new! I want a new pair,” he said turning around disappoint clearly showing on his face.

“These are good useable shoes keiki, given to me by people who want to help those who have less,” the woman told him.

Malia, who managed to find a pair that fit, looked over at her brother and saw that his bottom lip was stuck out. “I’m sorry Auntie Loke. My brother should not have spoken to you like that,” she said apologetically ashamed of how her brother behaved. “Kuke, these are new shoes - new to you that is. So pick out a pair and be thankful for what you get. Maybe later, after I get a job, I can get you a new ‘new’ pair. But right now you need to apologize to Auntie Loke - you were rude.”

Playing with a black shoe, Kuke looked down, his bottom lip now quivering. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I was just hoping for a new pair is all.”

“That’s okay keiki.” The woman was sad she could not provide such a small request “At least these don’t have holes in them, Kuke. And look at your sister, she didn’t even have a pair and now she does. You should be happy for that.”

Kuke looked first at the Hawaiian woman and then over at his sister who gave him a smile. Encouraged by how happy his sister seemed to be, Kuke smiled back. “Okay…they’re new ‘new’ to me shoes then. I like that!” The others laughed at how the young boy’s attitude changed for the good.

“Come now…before you leave you must take something to eat. You’ve worked so hard, I bet you’re both hungry,” said Auntie Loke leading the way back into the grocery store. There she filled a paper bag with various types of food that required no cooking or refrigeration.

Auntie Loke watched the two leave. Just as the two reached the corner, she motioned to Kimo to follow them. “Remember, don’t let them see you and come back to me with where they live.” Kimo acknowledges her as he starts to tail the children. An hour later, Kimo returned with the information.

*****

Thanksgiving morning saw the end of the rain, but a strong ocean breeze chilled the air. Cold, Malia got up and got dressed. The shoes Auntie Loke gave her helped warm her feet, which in turn help warm her up some. Judging by the brightness of the morning she estimated it was about seven in the morning. Not having anything special to do that morning, she decided to let her brother sleep a little more. He needed it because of an upset stomach he experienced during the night.

“I hope he’s not coming down with something,” Malia said silently to herself. She always worried what she would do if one of them became ill or seriously hurt. They had no money to see a doctor if either of them did get sick and she did not know how to take care of these types of things.

Going into the kitchen Malia got a slice of bread out. Auntie Loke had given her two loaves the day before and between herself and her brother; they had already eaten one half of the one loaf. Cold SPAM was not the best-tasting thing but they were ravenous, besides, they did not have any way of refrigerating any leftovers.

She was startled when she heard a knock at the front door. “Who the… Who is it?” she asked not waiting to opening the door fearing that a police officer had some to take them to an orphanage.

“It’s me Malia, Auntie Loke.” The Hawaiian woman decided the night before to invite the two children over for a good Thanksgiving meal and she wanted to make sure she got there before the two had left.

“Auntie Loke…how did you know where I lived?” Malia opened the door to let the woman come into her home. The interior was old but in a clean condition. There was not any trash strewn about. It was evident that the girl took pride in her place as much as she could considering her circumstances.

“Kimo told me, child.” She looked at the building the girl called home. The building was in bad need of repair especially the roof by the evidence of the various containers placed around the room filled with the previous night’s rain. “I…I wanted to invite you and your brother to come with me to enjoy a good meal today. Father Noritz is providing his parish with a free Thanksgiving meal both for lunch and for dinner. I thought you’d like to go.”

The thought of going where someone might know about their problems worried Malia, but the thought of a warm meal appealed to her.

*****

“Steve, we’ve got a composite photo on that murdered woman,” said Danny entering McGarrett’s office without knocking. Walking over to McGarrett’s desk, he handed him the photo and then sat on the corner of the desk waiting for the man’s reactions.

“This is what the forensic guys came up with?” asked McGarrett. A clay bust of the supposed woman was rough, but it gave them an idea of how she might have looked. Naturally, it did not have what color the woman’s eyes might have been or if she had any noticeable facial scars, but it gave them a possible of how she might have looked like.

“Yeah…I think this new way of finding out how people might have looked like has a lot of potential. I’ve already had copies made and sent to HPD. It’s going to take some leg work but we might get lucky…who knows,” Danny said optimistically.

*****

The three of them reached Auntie Loke’s place before 10 AM. It didn’t take much to convince Malia and her brother to join her that day, but the Hawaiian woman wanted to make sure it was more than just a meal the children received.

“Kuke, would you do me a favor?” asked Auntie Loke. “Before we go, I’d like to see the two of you receive a good bath. The water is warm, there is soap and shampoo for you to use, and some clean soft towels you can dry off with. That will give me time to wash your clothes too. Can’t have you going to a nice meal smelling like a little pua’a (pig).”

“I ain’t no pua’a!” shouted Kuke.

“Well, sometimes you do smell like one Kuke,” reminded his sister. “And remember, you didn’t bath today yet. Besides…you asked for some warm water yesterday…well, here’s your chance.”

“Yeah, but…”

“But nothing…go take your bath. I want to get one too before we eat, so hurry up,” Malia said firmly.

The Hawaiian woman smiled as she listened to the two talked. It was clear to her that the two of them were very tight family wise. She again wondered where their parents were and how she would be able to get them the help they so desperately needed.

*****

“Hey, you made it!” Danny said when he saw his friend walk into the church’s kitchen.

McGarrett carried in two bags of food, which he deposited on the counter. “I’ve got several more in my car,” he said as he turned to go get another load. Both Duke and Danny followed him out.

“Boy, what did you do, buy out the store?” asked Danny taking the two bags given to him.

“No, but I did get a good deal on the stuff,” the Five-0 chief told him.

“We’re going to need more help getting it all inside,” said Duke who guessed there had to be at least twenty or so more bags in just the trunk. He did not even try to guess how many more bags were in the car. “I’ll get some of the boys to help. Go on in. Father Noritz will tell you what he needs done.”

“Mr. McGarrett, good to have you join us and I hear you’ve brought more food with you. I want to thank you for that. I’m sure it will help feed a lot more people today,” said Father Noritz with his hands held together in prayer.

“Well, I thought it might help out some,” the Five-0 chief said as the tables filled with the bags he brought for the factitives.

*****

It seemed like the line was endless as people came to partake of the free meal. No one spoke of political ideals; no religious group dominated the scene. Everyone there was welcomed.

McGarrett dished out the turkey, giving plentiful portions to each person. If someone asked for a larger amount, he did not hesitate to pile it on even more.

Chin Ho was in charge of the ham, Duke scooped up large spoonfuls of dressing, and Danny handled the mashed potatoes and gravy, while Kono was a little further down handling the pies.

“Leave it to Kono to handle the sweets. I just hope he leaves some for the others,” teased Chin Ho who had seen the big Hawaiian eat one of the slices of pumpkin pie. “Kono, serve it…don’t eat it!” the oriental detective shouted out with a laugh.

Kono gave him a smile and a shaka sign. He knew his friend was just trying to mess with him in a friendly way and he took it that way. “Well, look who’s talking. How many slices of ‘i’o pua’a (pork) you’ve had my friend? The boss isn’t much bettah’. I’ve seen him sneakin’ a piece of turkey every time there’s a new tray brought to him.”

“Well, I had to make sure it’s fit for human consumption you know. Can’t have someone get a bad piece,” McGarrett said jovially defending his actions.

“Okay you guys, quit your squabbling and Kono, quit eating the deserts until you’ve had your meal,” said Jenny who just arrived with more food. Kono showing a false act of being caught red handed gave Jenny a smile as he handed one of the people in the line a piece of pie. “Hi Father, where did you want this? I’ve got more turkey, some cranberry sauce, rolls and fixing for more mashed potatoes if you need it.”

“Thank you Jenny. All will be usable.”

“How can I help?” asked Jenny.

“Tell you what, if you could…”

*****

The Hawaiian woman had spent the night before going through the used clothing donated to her by several of her friends once she explained to them why. There were jeans, shorts, shirts and other forms of clothing that both children would need.

She laid out a few of the outfits for Kuke onto the bed in the room adjoining the bathroom. She also was hoping to do something with his hair as it had grown long and its curly locks were prone to tangling.

She was in the kitchen when she heard a squeal of delight from the young boy. “Auntie Loke! Auntie Loke! Are these mine?” shouted Kuke running into the kitchen with one of the shirts.

“Yes keiki. They are all yours - gifts from friends,” she told him. “Now go, get dressed so your sister can bathe too.”

Malia was surprised with the same types of clothing, except for a lovely blue and white muumuu, which was what she chose to wear that day. Auntie Loke helped her with her hair brushing it out and gathered it in the back allowing the majority of it to hang free. The Hawaiian woman finished by pinning a pure white melia pua (plumeria flower) behind her right ear. Then to top off the outfit, she placed a white shell flower necklace around her neck.

“Oh Auntie Loke! It’s so pretty.”

“Just like you,” said Auntie Loke.

With everyone cleaned and dressed, the three left for Father Noritz’s church. The church was only a few blocks away but it did not take them very long to get there.

Already the line into the dinning hall extended out and around the corner. Taking their place at the end, they waited their turn. Soon they were inside where the delicate and fragrant smells food drifted over to them.

“Yumm, I can smell the pumpkin pies,” said Kuke rubbing his stomach in anticipation.

“Well, before you can have any pie, you’ll have to eat your meal. Remember, Momma said no desert unless you’ve eaten your dinner,” Malia reminded him. Her own mouth was watering at the smells. It had been a long time since either of them had food like this.

“Your sister is right…no desert until you’ve had your meal…then you can have some,” Auntie Loke told him.

Finally, the trio reached the stacks of plates. Each took one plate and proceeded down the row of food.

McGarrett, busily putting some new fresh turkey into the pan, didn’t really pay any attention to the children other than for being sure they got a good size portion.

“Jenny, I need some more ham,” yelled out Danny who had temporally turned around to call out his need. When he turned back, he first saw Kuke. The plucky little boy was licking his lips and was picking at the turkey already on his plate. “Looks like you’re hungry. Here, have some more ham.”

“Yeah I am and I really want a piece of pumpkin pie but my sister says I’ve got to eat my meal first,” Kuke told him having to hold the plate now with both hands as it was getting a little heavy.

“She right, but I’ll make sure you get a big piece. Hey Kono! Make sure this boy gets a big piece of pie…the size you serve yourself and a lot of whipping cream on it…Okay?” yelled out Danny to make sure Kono heard him.

“Sure think Danno.” was the reply.

Kuke was all smiles as he walked over to the next server.

Danny was about to serve Malia when he stopped. There was something about her face. Something he could not quite put a finger on, but he knew he had seen that face before.

“Is that enough? Do you want another piece?” asked Danny.

“Yes, please,” Malia answered. Her smile was infectious and beautiful to see.

‘She’s had it rough. I hate seeing the kids suffer like this,’ thought Danny still trying to place her face. He watched her for a second while he served the others.

*****

“Did you get enough?” asked Auntie Loke after they left the church. She had two big bags of food with her given to her by Father Noritz. While the children ate she slipped away to talk with the Father about them. She informed him about the children’s living conditions and of how she felt obligated to watch over them in the last few months.

“I’m so stuffed I think I’ll explode,” said Kuke patting his tummy after plopping down on the couch. He leaned back and gave a big belch. “Opps! Sorry.”

“Kuke! Shame on you,” said Malia, but she felt much the same as her bother. She was stuffed and a bit sleepy.

“It’s so late, why don’t you two spend the night here. I’ve got a nice soft bed you both can use,” suggested Auntie Loke. Her goal was to keep the children there for as long as she could. She did not like the idea of them living in such bad condition. She was also hoping that Father Noritz would come up with an idea on how to help the two kids.

“I…” Malia could not stifle the yawn that hit her right then. Stretching, she made a move to get up, but her tired body would not obey her. Sighing, she sat back. “I don’t know. We really should get home.”

“Ah come on Malia. We can…go…” he didn’t finish because he had fallen asleep.

Looking over at her brother, Malia smiled, yawning and stretching again, she relented. The thoughts of a warm soft bed sounded just too inviting. Snuggling deeper into the over stuffed chair, her head sagged and soon, she too, was sound asleep.

*****

“Steve…do you have that photo of that woman?” asked Danny as they took a break in serving.

“Sure, why?” Going over to his coat, he pulled the photo out of the inside pocket.

“I’m not sure but I think I’ve just seen her.” Danny took another look at the photo. A smile crossed his face. “Well, I know it can’t be her, but I think I might have found her daughter.”

“How so?” asked Duke who had joined them.

“Remember that kid I told Kono to give a big piece of pie to? Well, there was a girl right behind him and she looks just like this photo.”

“You sure?” asked McGarrett taking the photo back from the young detective. He narrowed his eyes as he took another look at the photo trying to match it with anyone that might have been there that day. It only took him a few minutes to remember. “Yeah, you’re right. That was her. A young girl, bright blue muumuu with a white flower in her hair.”

“I think she was with that big Hawaiian woman. If I remember right, she seemed to be watching over them. I think she’s got that place over near Kawananakoa Park on Kuuanu Avenue. You know the combo grocery dry goods store. My understanding she frequently gives out food to those in need. Maybe she knows more about this girl?” suggested Duke.

“I know her…that’s Auntie Loke. You want me to go check her out, Boss?” said Kono.

“Yeah, you and Danny get over there. Find out if she knows the kids. These kids might have belonged to our murder victim,” said McGarrett.

*****

“It’s just up here. There,” said Kono pointing to an old white washed building on the corner. Even on Thanksgiving, it looked like the store was open for business.

Parking in front, Danny turned off the engine. Both detectives got out and walked into the establishment. They asked the person operating the cash register if the owner was there. Moments later the heavyset Hawaiian woman came out of the back.

“Yes, what can I do for you?” asked Auntie Loke. From previous dealings with the law, she knew these two were detectives just by their suits.

“We’re trying to find out if you were at Father Noritz’s today with two children. We think one of them or maybe both might be related to this woman,” said Danny handing her the photo.

Seeing the similarities between the photo and Malia, Auntie Loke immediately made the connection. “Oy vey! Oy vey! Yes, yes…these are the two kama lua I have been watching lately. What did their poor mama do to get the cops after her?”

“She was murdered earlier this year and Five-0 has just taken over her case. Do you know where these kids are?” asked Kono.

“Yes…they are here. They are spending the night with me and are already asleep. Do we need to wake them? They really are tired,” asked Auntie Loke. Her concern is that the kids would not have anyone with them they knew when they heard about their mother.

“No…but bring them by our office tomorrow morning. We’ll be there early,” Danny instructed her.

“That’s at the Iolani, right?”

“Yes, we’re on the second floor. If you want I can come by and pick you up in the morning,” Kono offered.

“That would be good. Then I don’t have to figure out which bus to take,” the woman replied.

*****

“NO! You’re wrong! Mama is just gone for a while! She’s going to come back!” shouted an almost hysterical Kuke.

Both children recognized their mother’s photo. As gently as he could, McGarrett told them what had happened. Too stunned to talk, Malia could only sit and cry. She never thought her mother would die, leaving them with no one to care for them. She also remembered telling her brother that she did not think their mother would return - but she never thought it would be because she had been murdered.

Danny walked over to the boy and knelt down to his level. “We’ll find out who did this to her Kuke, but you’ve got to settle down. We’ll make sure the two of you will be taken care of during this time.” He looked up at the Hawaiian woman who nodded her head.

“What if we arrange for you to stay with Auntie Loke? Would you like that?” he asked the young boy.

Kuke beat his fist upon the curly haired detective, his frustrations exploding to the surface. “NO, SHE’S NOT DEAD! You’re wrong! You just haven’t found her,” Kuke said but with each sentence, the terrifying feeling eased. “No, please tell me she’ll be back…no…no…no…” He no longer pummeled the man in front of him, instead he allowed himself to be brought into a hug where his shrieks turned into heart retching cries.

Auntie Loke now tried to comfort Malia by putting an arm around her. Tears were streaming down both of their faces. None of them expected something like this.

McGarrett moved back over to his desk and punched the intercom button. “Jenny, can you get hold of Child Services. We need to make some arrangements for the Palowunu kids.”

“Sure thing Steve,” came Jenny’s reply. Minutes later, she patched through the call.

McGarrett put the call on the intercom so the others could hear. With the greetings done, McGarrett laid out his problem. “Mrs. Rowland, I could really use your help here.”

“So I see. Can you teletype over the particulars on Mrs. Loke? I’ll need to see if she qualifies to foster these children.”

Red Tape! Always Red Tape. McGarrett knew she was just doing her job but he felt that she should take his word on this and pressed his point more firmly. “Look, this woman has already raised four kids of her own. She owns her own business. Helps out others in need and has a clean record. What do you need more than my word that she’d qualify as their guardian?”

Not phased by the hot steamy tone on the other end of the line, Mrs. Rowland knowledged McGarrett’s abilities but reiterated that she must keep in mind what is best for the children.

“I tell you what. I’ll try to push this through based on your word, Mr. McGarrett, but I can’t promise anything.”

“Can you have whoever it is you’ll be talking to call me?”

“Yes, I’ll ask them to call you. Are the children with you now?”

McGarrett could see what was coming and wanted to head off what he would call a disaster for the children. “Yes, they are. I’d like it if you would let them stay with Mrs. Loke until you make your decision,” pushed McGarrett.

“I can’t promise that, but I’ll do what I can. I’m going to make some calls and then come over to personally interview the kids and Mrs. Loke. IF, as you say she’s okay, then I can’t see any problem.”

The others started talking loudly about of how unfair it was forcing McGarrett to raise his hand trying to quite them down. “I’m sorry Mrs. Rowland for the disturbance. It just that everyone is taking this case to heart.”

“I totally understand and like I said, I’ll do what I can. I’ll be seeing you soon.” Without waiting for McGarrett reply she hung up.

Putting the phone back onto its cradle, McGarrett looked down for a moment to get control of himself. Hearing the sniffles of the kids, he looked back up. “Well, now we wait.”

A light knock on his door diverted everyone’s attention. “Come in,” said McGarrett walking around his desk towards the door.

“Steve, I’ve got an older man here who says he recognizes the photo,” said Jenny having opened the door and slipped in.

“Who is he?” McGarrett asked.

“He says he’s Mr. Palowunu,” replied Jenny.

“How does he seem to you?” questioned McGarrett.

“He’s a bit old to be their father…but maybe a…grandfather,” said Jenny. Ever since the case came to the office, she felt a maternal protective feeling towards the children. “But he seems legit.”

“Okay, send him in,” McGarrett told her stepping closer to the door.

Jenny went back out, closing the door behind her, then reopened it, stepping aside to admit the man.

A short thin elderly white haired man entered. Spotting the kids, his face broke into a wide grin. “Malia! Kuke!”

“Kupuna kāne!” yelled both kids rushing to his outstretched arms. “Oh Kapuan kāne, they say Māmā is dead.”

The grandfather looked up at McGarrett who nodded his head. “We believe this might be their mother. Unfortunately, the body was badly mutilated so we could not be sure. But you’re sure this is your daughter-in-law?” asked McGarrett. He introduced his team and Mrs. Loke before explaining when the death happened and what had transpired in the previous months.

“Yes, this is she. Do you have any leads on her killer?” the grandfather asked still holding onto the children.

“It’s still an active case and we’re not at liberty right now to say much more.” The Five-0 chief did go one explaining how they happened to have found the children and what he was trying to set up for them.

“Well, I’m unable to take them with me, and I haven’t heard from their father since he disappeared six years ago. I know my son was always having family problems and couldn’t hold down a job. I’m thinking he took off because he couldn’t take it anymore.”

“You’re saying my father didn’t want to be around us, Kupuna kāne?” Kuke asked.

“No, Kuke. I think he couldn’t deal with the stress and thought your mama would be better off without him,” said the grandfather.

“But why?” the boy insisted.

Mr. Palowunu did not reply but hugged the boy tighter.

Before anyone could say anymore more, there was another knock on the door with Jenny slipping in. “Mrs. Rowland is here Boss.” Getting McGarrett’s nod to let the woman in she went back out and again opened the door for the woman. This time Jenny stayed in the office with the others.

“Mr. McGarrett,” said Mrs. Rowland said extending her hand. “I’ve got some good news for you.”

“Oh? Really, like what type of news?” McGarrett asked her escorting her over to the rest of the group. After making the introductions, he motioned her to take a seat.

“Hmm, since the grandfather has appeared that changes things a little. However, the news I have is still good…I’ve located the father. He’s been on the mainland working for a construction company. He said he knows Mrs. Loke and is agreeable for her to be their guardian.”

“You mean Papa is alive?” Malia asked hopefully.

“Yes. He’s remarried. Apparently, your folks got divorced before he left and he’s unable to come here right now to see you. BUT he is willing to have Mrs. Loke care for you. In fact, he spoke highly of you, Mrs. Loke, said you were one of the main pillars of the community.” The woman turned to the grandfather now. “You’re appearance though has slightly changed things. As the only closet living relative their care is now in your hands.”

Mr. Palowunu looked at the two children who had not let go of him since his arrival. “Mrs. Rowland, as I was explaining to Mr. McGarrett, I’m unable to care for them either at this time. I live in a very small trailer, barely big enough for one person, much less two growing kids. I’m on a fixed income too. But I’d be willing to work with Mrs. Loke and give her permission to be their guardian. Will that work?”

Everyone’s eyes now turned to the Hawaiian woman whose smile broaden. “If you want me to, I’d love to. How about it kamali’i? Would you like that?”

Malia and Kuke looked at each other, then to the adults. With one big rush, they ran into the Hawaiian woman’s embrace.

“Can Kupuna kāne come and visit us a lot?” Kuke asked.

“Try and keep me from coming over…just try!” the grandfather said with tears running down his face.

“Thank you…thank you very much. This was the best Thanksgiving I’ve ever had,” said Malia.

“Yes, thanks for the giving,” said Kuke.

Epilog

Less than one month later, Five-0 got a lead on the killer when another hapless victim came across Dr. Bergman’s table. The difference was, a sleepy wino saw the horrendous act and when Danny and Kono were checking on possible leads, they happened upon him.

Following the lead, they located the killer.

“Five-0 Manoa. Give it up and you won’t be hurt,” ordered Detective Williams.

Kono maneuvered himself along the building until he was near the door.

Still strung out on the lastest batch of drug, Manoa felt invincible. “Forget it cop! You won’t take me without a fight!”

Kono nodded to Danny who had worked his way up to the building. Each was on either side of the door. “One more try Manoa. Give it up. We know you killed Bonnie Hart and possibly Mrs. Palowunu. Remember her? You destroyed her face then mutilated her body.”

“I didn’t mean to do that. If she hadn’t fought me, she’d be alive,” he shouted out.

“Well, you killed her and now you’ve killed another one. Like I said, come out with your hands up and you won’t be hurt.”

Without waiting for the man’s reply, Danny nodded to his partner who positioned himself in front of the ramshackled door. One powerful kick tore the door from its hinges.

So caught off guard, Manoa froze as the two detectives rushed him. There was no fight from Manoa and they were able to handcuff the killer without incident.

Finally being able to close the case, McGarrett and Williams headed out for with some good news for the Palowunu kids.

Walking into the store, they asked to see Mrs. Loke, who came out immediately.

“Aloha, Mr. McGarrett and Mr. Williams. What can I do for you?” asked Auntie Loke.

“We’ve got some good news. Are the kids here?” said Danny.

“They’re in the back. Malia! Kuke! Come here please,” called out the Hawaiian woman.

“Yes, Auntie…oh, hi Mr. McGarrett and Danny. What are you here for?” asked Malia.

Before either detective could answer, Grandfather Palowunu and a tall muscular man followed by a woman came out to join them. Both men looked curiously at the man. They had a feeling this was the father as Kuke looked a lot like him.

“This is my father, Michael Palowunu and my new step-mother, Dorothy. They were able to come over here to visit with us for Christmas,” explained Malia.

Smiling, McGarrett stepped forward and extended his hand. “I’m Steve McGarrett and this is Danny Williams. We’re with Five-0.”

“I’ve heard of you on the mainland. They say you’re the ‘cop’s cop’. We were able to come visit the kids, thanks to Hawaii’s Child Services.”

“Great…well, that’s just great and we’ve got some great news for you too. We’ve been able to catch your former wife’s killer,” said McGarrett.

“Fantastic! We were just headed for church. I’ve been able to make arrangements for a proper burial and I’d like you to join us if you could. You’ve been so instrumental in caring for my kids; it’s the fitting closure for them.”

McGarrett took a quick look over at his second-in-command who nodded his approval. Turning back, he smiled. “We’d be glad to be there.”

“Thanks for the giving,” said Michael Palowunu.

Hearing that phrase again, Danny was just about to mention it when Kuke spoke up.

Hugging his father he said, “My Daddy taught me that.”

Pau

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