The women look toward the flickering lights of Waikīkī and remain silent for a few moments. After a while, Jade casts a few words in the Yue dialect of Chinese into the rising wind, and Pearl nods in solemn agreement.
Pearl replenishes their glasses, and turns back to the railing of the lānai. Glancing beyond the shoreline to the dinner cruise boats dancing across the bay, she sighs.
“If you squint, elder sister, the lanterns make the boats look like the wooden junks in the Shànghăi harbor of our youth.”
“There are many things that improve when viewed through half-closed eyes,” agrees Jade. “Why even an apartment building can look like a villa from this height.”
“And two old women appear at the onset of a youthful adventure,” laughs Pearl.
For a moment, a silver moonbeam strikes the doors of a patinaed bronze crypt below them.
“Ah, Papa. Are you joining us this evening?” Jade inquires. “Do you remember the last time you cast the I Ching for us before we departed from our homeland? I believe you would agree it prepared us well for the many shifts in the course of our journey,” she nods with her glass lifted in salute.
As the shadows merge, a mynah bird calls out before settling in its perch for the night. An Island breeze rustles through the fragrant eucalyptus trees.
NOTES AND
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Through the continuing Natalie Seachrist series, I look forward to introducing historical characters and incidents within the genre of a mystery novel. Several features of the story line were inspired by my experiences during the two decades I was a resident of Hawai`i. Some background material I have drawn upon was introduced to me during undergraduate and graduate history courses, and in my work as a graduate teaching assistant in what was called the World Civilizations Program in the History Department of the University of Hawai`i.
Wherever possible, the historical facts cited are accurate. During its 1932 winter cruise, the RMS Empress of Britain was unable to make its scheduled port call in Shànghăi due to attacks by Imperial Japanese military forces by land, sea and air. Scheduled passengers journeyed at their peril to board the ship in Hong Kong, then a British Dependent Territory. The praline ice cream remembered by Miss Pearl Wong was listed on a ship’s menu for that cruise. The ship did dock in Honolulu on March the twelfth. Descriptions I have given of the ship match those found in existing records, with one exception. While Captain R. G. Latta was the ship’s commanding officer, I have embellished his crew to include officers who passed out candy.
The influence of China’s culture on Hawai`i has existed since the beginning of contact between these areas of the world. While records of the arrival of the first Chinese in Hawai`i date to late 1788, substantial numbers of contract Chinese laborers were brought to Hawai`i to work on the fledgling sugar plantations in the mid-nineteenth century. Most of these workers spoke the southern regional dialects of Hong Kong, Àomén [previously called Macao in Western nations], and Guǎngdōng [formerly known as Canton or Kwangtung in English].
Although I have included a summary of aspects of the Hawaiian language, I have not attempted to draft one for Chinese, which has over 290 dialects. Because Mandarin is the official language of the People’s Republic of China, the phonetic transcription system I have used for most Chinese words is the Hanyu Pinyin Romanization of the Mandarin dialect. Occasionally I have used Wade-Giles transliteration (dating to the mid- and late-nineteenth century) because of its familiarity to English speakers. This includes words like cheongsam and the name Chiang Kai-Shek, both of which are found in Internet search engines. When a word is the same in both Wade-Giles and Pinyin transcription, I have simply labeled it as Chinese in the Glossary.
Before I leave the topic of the Chinese language, I should mention that Chinese, like Japanese and other Asian languages, places the surname (family name) before a person’s given name. As the Natalie Seachrist mysteries have been written primarily for an English-speaking audience, I have followed the norms of English and placed the given names of characters prior to surnames. To help me clarify Hanyu Pinyin Romanization of Chinese vocabulary, I have had the aid of Jianmei Li, a graduate student in Chinese anthropology at the University of Arizona.
As I sat finishing this book in the heat of the high desert, I reviewed the origins of this story and the many people who contributed to its conception and completion. First, I wish to acknowledge Tim Littlejohn, a State of Hawai`i library manager (and my sometimes writing partner) for his support through several projects. His interest in extending scholastic work into publishable form for a general audience led to a compilation of my seven oral history interviews titled, Conversations with Caroline Kuliaikanu`ukapu Wilcox De Lima Farias. As the Natalie Seachrist series has developed, Tim’s input has been invaluable in expanding my attention to cultural sensitivity, and helping me research facts and harmonize plotline elements.
For their specialized knowledge of unique reference holdings, I wish to express my gratitude to: Gina Vergara-Bautista, archivist at The Hawai`i State Archives and Corinne Chun Fujimoto, curator of Washington Place Museum, the former home of Queen Lili`u`okalani. Invaluable input in multiple areas of expertise has been provided by Kevin C. Horstman, PhD, who specializes in geological sciences and digital image enhancement. I also thank the intrepid librarians of Pima County Public Library for their support of local authors—especially librarian Rona Rosenberg and library associate Sue Johnson of the Kirk-Bear Canyon Branch.
Fellow anthologists of Under Sonoran Skies: Prose and Poetry from the High Desert have provided unending support for many years. They include: psychotherapist and mystery writer Kay Lesh; Larry Sakin, green energy entrepreneur and political writer; the Reverend Patricia Noble, lecturer and philosopher; Susan Cosby-Patton, poet and essayist; and, poet Bill Black, who has provided assistance in several technical areas.
Special thanks go to long-term supporters who have provided personal and professional inspiration and direction. Foremost is Viki Gillespie, bookworm and bookman, whose close review has enriched this work. Additional readers include: Cotton Burlingame, sustainability and clean energy consultant; Nelda Garza, retired entrepreneur; memoirist Margherita Gale Harris; retired publisher Al Howard and his wife Betty-Jean; Bob and Susan Shrager, supporters of community education and art; Nan Andres, and other writers of Sunset Writers of East Tucson.
The process of publication of this first book in the Natalie Seachrist mystery series has been steered by Geoff Habiger of Artemesia Publishing LLC, in Tijeras, New Mexico. In my journey to find a publisher, I sought someone who would not be put off by the amount of foreign vocabulary, historical material, and multi-cultural references I wanted to include in my work. When I saw that Geoff seeks authors who can educate, inform, and entertain the reader, I hoped I had found a home for Natalie’s adventures in sleuthing. The wide-ranging offerings of this select publisher may be found at www.apbooks.net.
Direction and engineering of the audio version of this book has been provided by Jim Waters of Waterworks Recording, Tucson, Arizona. A transplant from New York City, Jim Waters has produced and engineered the music of top performers for over three decades. Listings of his past projects and equipment are available on his website, www.waterworksrecording.com.
The evocative cover art for Prospect For Murder is the work of Yasamine June. She is a fine and multi-media artist, typographer and designer, who creates memorable images within a rich palette of color and form. To view samples of her artwork (including posters and album covers), please visit www.yasaminejune.com.
Finally, I thank my husband, Lieutenant Commander John “H” Burrows-Johnson, USN, Retired, for his patience and support through decades of varied creative projects.
Errors, of course, are my responsibility and I regret any that you may uncover. Please contact me about egregious flaws you wish to point out, as I would dislike repeating them in future books. Also, I wo
uld like to hear your suggestions regarding historical and cultural themes that might be appropriate to this series. You can contact me directly by emailing me at [email protected].
For further discussion of background elements, a comprehensive glossary of foreign and specialized vocabulary, and foods and beverages mentioned in Prospect for Murder, please visit www.ProspectForMurder.com. You are invited to examine other writing and design projects at www.ImaginingsWordpower.com. Exploration of the writing process may be found at www.blog.ImaginingsWordpower.com. If you are wondering when you will be able to experience Natalie’s next adventures in murderous challenges, Murder on Mokulua Drive and Murders of Conveyance move toward publication.
A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE
HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE
The Hawaiian language was unwritten until 1826, when Christian missionaries transcribed the sounds of the language into a thirteen-letter alphabet. Hawaiian consonants are pronounced as in standard American English. They include H, K, L, M, N, P, W, and the `okina [ ` ]. Often, the “W” is pronounced like an English “V.” As there is no “S” in the Hawaiian language, plurals are determined by the preceding article. Each vowel is sounded in Hawaiian; they are similar in pronunciation to those in Spanish, and other Latin-based European languages:
A=Ah, as in above
E=Eh, as in let
I=Ee, as in eel
O=Oh, as in open
U=Oo, as in soon
Diphthongs are expressed as common English sounds. The “au” transliteration is pronounced as “ow” in “How.” Diacritical marks indicate emphasis and syllable separation. Placed over vowels, a kahakō [ - ] indicates a need to hold the vowel sound slightly longer, as seen in the “a” in the word “card.” The `okina, [ ` ] is both a consonant and a diacritical mark; it dictates that the preceding vowel should be pronounced more loudly.
Please note, that in accordance with standard practices, foreign words included in this work are subject to the grammatical rules of English.
GLOSSARY OF NON-ENGLISH
& SPECIALIZED VOCABULARY
This glossary reflects the meanings used within the text of this book. Please note that many Hawaiian words have multiple spellings (with or without diacritical marks) and may have multiple meanings. Some Hawaiian words, especially names, have ambiguous, layered and sometimes hidden meanings.
A
Adobo: Dressing, sauce. [Spanish] A Filipino process of cooking, featuring protein or vegetables marinated in a vinegar and garlic-based sauce, browned in oil, simmered in the marinade. The dish is often served with steamed white rice.
Ali`i: Chief, ruler, officer, aristocrat, commander. [Hawaiian]
Aloha: Love, affection, compassion, loved one. [Hawaiian] Traditional term for greeting and farewell, expressing love, friendship and mercy.
Aloha `Oe: May you be loved. [Hawaiian] Title of the beloved song written by Queen Lili`u`okalani.
Auwē: Alas, Too bad, or, Oh, dear. [Hawaiian]
B
Boat Day: Between the 1920s and the late 1940s [except during World War II], the arrival of ocean liners at Aloha Tower was a major event in Honolulu. In addition to being a communal celebration, the ships and the people they carried contributed greatly to the local economy. Passengers were greeted with leis, performance by hula dancers and the Royal Hawaiian Band. Boys and young men often dove into the waters of the harbor for coins thrown overboard by the tourists.
C
Char siu bao: Chāshāobāo [Hanyu Pinyin Romanization of the Mandarin Dialect of Chinese]. Steamed buns stuffed with barbecued pork. Named mea `ono pua`a when introduced to Hawai`i [mea `ono, pastry or cake plus pua`a, pork]. Current usage shortened to manapua.
Cheongsam: Qípáo [Pinyin]. Tight-fitting Chinese dress with a slit skirt and mandarin collar. Originated in the Qing Dynasty [1644-1911]. A modern version emerged in Shànghăi in the 1920s.
Chiang Kai Shek: Official name, Chiang Chieh-shih [Wade-Giles] or Jiǎng Jièshí [Pinyin]. Chinese general and political leader [1887–1975]. Chief of Staff for Dr. Sūn Yat-Sen [Sūn Yìxiān, Pinyin], first Provisional President of the Republic of China [1912-1949]. When Dr. Sūn died in 1925, Jiǎng Jièshí became Chairman of the Guómíndăng and Commander-in-chief of the Army. Initially focused on fighting Chinese war lords and communists, the Generalissimo turned on the Japanese Imperial Army after their 1931 invasion of Manchuria. Following the end of World War II in 1945, civil war quickly resumed. In 1949, Mao Zedong [Mao Tse-Tung, Wade-Giles] military leader and Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party established the People’s Republic of China, forcing General Jiǎng Jièshí to retreat to the island of Taiwan.
D
Dim sum: Diănxīn [Pinyin]. Touch the heart. [Chinese] Pastry, light refreshment, bite-sized foods. Often dumplings filled with vegetables, meat or seafood that is usually steamed or fried. Originating in Guǎngdōng province tea houses, it was traditionally served like appetizers, as a snack or before a larger meal; now served as a complete meal, especially as a brunch.
E
E komo mai: Welcome; enter and be refreshed. [Hawaiian] A traditional Hawaiian greeting.
G
Guǎngdōng: Expanse East. [Chinese] A province of the People’s Republic of China [PRC] located on the South China Sea coast. It was once known as Canton or Kwangtung in English.
Guangzhou: Capital of Guǎngdōng province. It is the third largest city in the PRC.
Guómíndăng: [Pinyin] or Kuomintang [Wade-Giles]. Chinese Nationalist Party. The party was founded in 1911 by Song Jiaoren and Dr. Sūn Yìxiān [Sūn Yat-Sen, Wade-Giles], who, with other revolutionaries, helped end the Qing Dynasty [1644-1912]. In 1925, leadership passed to General Jiǎng Jièshí [Chiang Kai-Shek, Wade-Giles]. Following defeat of the Japanese in World War II, civil war escalated. In 1949, Mao Zedong [Mao Tse-Tung, Wade-Giles], Chairman and victorious military leader of the Chinese Communist Party established the People’s Republic of China. General Jiǎng Jièshí was forced to retreat to Taiwan, where the Guómíndăng remained the ruling political party of the Republic of China for many decades.
H
Ha gao: [Yue dialect of Chinese]. Har gow [Anglicized]. Xiā jiǎo [Pinyin]. Shrimp dumplings.
Hale: House. [Hawaiian]
Hānai: Foster or adopted child. [Hawaiian] Extended or adopted family members.
Haole: Foreigner; of foreign origin. [Hawaiian] Current usage, American, Englishman, Caucasian.
Haori: [Japanese] A kimono style jacket with open front and straight sleeves.
Hawai`i: Fiftieth state of the United States of America; name of the largest Hawaiian island. The Kingdom of Hawai`i was established by Kamehameha the Great between 1795 and 1810. The Kingdom was overthrown between 1893 and 1894, after which it was replaced by the short-lived Republic of Hawai`i. Established in 1898, the Territory of Hawai`i became a state in 1959.
Hongkou: Northern district of the city of Shànghăi, PRC.
Honolulu: Protected Bay. [Hawaiian] Located on the island of O`ahu, it is the largest city in and capital of the state of Hawai`i.
Ho`olaule`a: Celebration, festival, large party. [Hawaiian]
Huay: Also known as kongsi [Wade-Giles] and gōngsī [Pinyin]. Social and economic support groups comprised of members from the same district, clan and/or language group. See also hui.
Hui: Club, association or society. [Hawaiian] Similar to Chinese huay.
Hula: Traditional dance of Hawai`i. [Hawaiian]
I
`Iolani, Palace: Royal hawk. [Hawaiian] Palace of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Originally named Hale Ali`i, [House of Royalty], it was built in 1845 for King Kamehameha III [1813-1854]. In 1863, it was renamed by Kamehameha V [1830-1872] to honor his brother, King Kamehameha IV [1834-1863].
Iwilei: Collar bone. [Hawaiian] A unit of measurement. A road in west O`ahu.
J
Jinan: South of the Ji waters. This city is the capital of Shandong Province in the eastern part of the PRC.
Joie de vivre: Joy of living. [French]
K
Kahakō: Macron. [Hawaiian] A diacritical mark [-] placed over a vowel to extend pronunciation of the vowel’s sound.
Kailua: Two seas. [Hawaiian] Bay, beach and town on the northeast end of the windward side of O`ahu.
Kaimukī: The oven of the kī. [Hawaiian] Ti plant. [Scientific name, Cordyline terminalis]. A neighborhood in east Honolulu.
Ka`iulani,Princess: The royal or sacred one. [Hawaiian] Niece of Queen Lili`u`okalani, she was the last princess of Hawai`i. [1875-1899] Also the name of a Waikīkī hotel and upscale clothing line.
Ka Leo: The voice. [Hawaiian] Ka Leo O Hawai`i, The Voice of Hawai`i, the student newspaper of the University of Hawai`i.
Kamehameha: Hushed silence. [Hawaiian] Dynasty of Hawaiian Kings, founded by King Kamehameha I [1758-1819] of the island of Hawai`i who unified the Hawaiian Kingdom by 1810. He is noted for alliances with European nations that ensured Hawai`i’s independence and economic growth and codifying the legal system, which included the Māmalahoe Kānāwai [Law of the Splintered Paddle], providing human rights to wartime non-combatants.
Kāne`ohe: Man of Bamboo. [Hawaiian] Town in windward O`ahu, west of Kailua.
Kapa: Cloth made from bark of māmaki or wauke. [Hawaiian]
Kapahulu: Worn out soil. [Hawaiian] Subdivision in the Kaimukī neighborhood of O`ahu.
Kapi`olani: Rainbow, arch of heaven. [Hawaiian] Name of the last Hawaiian princess [1875-1899]. Neighborhood running through Waikīkī; a major boulevard and community college in urban Honolulu.
Prospect for Murder (Natalie Seachrist Hawaiian Cozy Mystery 1) Page 28