These are things seen and heard around the island lately…

T-shirt that reads, “Tatooed AND Employed!”

Another t-shirt: “Automatic Aloha.” Do you think that Aloha is automatic here? Or something that is earned?

And another: “Aloha Always.”

According to bestplaces.net, the Upcountry town of Makawao’s cost of living is 74.80% higher than the U.S. average.

T-shirt: “Stuck on this Island.” Could go either way…

News report: the lava in the lava lake on Kiluaea on the Big Island is the highest it has ever been, historically. And the vent is spewing at 60,000 gallons per minute. Explains why we are still having VOG (volcanic organic gas) in the summer….supposedly the non-vog season:

Taken July 2nd, 2015 from Upcountry Maui

Bumper sticker: “Keep it Hawaiian.”

New t-shirts ( and hats and everything else) that read “IAL” (I am local). Then under that: “Better than a state I.D.” Being “a local” is very important here. I’ve lived lots of places and have not seen people so fiercely/loyally defend their turf anywhere else.

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Aloha, Jamaica