Cake Pressure

The wishYour classic bated-breath momentFocus under pressureAll those eyesIn the flamesOf flickering little spotlights castMy face floating above the frostingMy … More

Eating Chinese

It was with great sadness that I learned my beloved Pauoa Chop Suey has closed down.  In memoriam, I’ve compiled a … More

Aloha Pants

Between skinny dipping and vanaThere is a fine timeUntil one thin spineBreaks off in my heelThe blood streaked trailBack to … More

Epilogue

I told David I’d had a hard time writing up this case.  He was curious about the reason.  I said … More

Patronus

Not that I think you are terrible for itKeeping secrets and telling fibsIs nowhere near the ballpark of evil I’m … More

35: It Comes Down to Love

Chan woke up dismayed and angry.  Immediately, he called Kelso at the station.          “Chin, let’s split the airlines in half, and … More

34: Loose Ends

By the time he collapsed at his desk, Chan wished he’d gone back to Kelso’ for a nap instead.  He found … More

Living Ghosts

Are always more spookyThan the dead onesThe ones who are church serviceSealed and deliveredTo the great beyond Still breathingThese hang … More

33: Surprise

Alice Apana had not been reassured of her husband’s safety by any words Chan had spoken to convince her.  Now, in … More

32: Uncle Snuffy’s Gone

The view from the top of Wilhelmina Rise had always impressed Chan.  Before he rang the doorbell, he stood on the … More

31: No Way

Chan woke up with a single purpose in mind.  “Chin, I need my car.”          “No worries, boss.  I’m your vehicle, baby,” Kelso … More

“Fire,” episode 24 of my 5th Lt. David Chan Hawai’i-Based mystery, is available on the Kindle Vella platform.

The Problem of Solving

Real problems I can handleThose check marks on a to-do list kindBam bam bam.It’s the imaginary ones never taken care … More

30: The Gray Area

Wilbur “Snuffy” Apana had been Chan’s father’s partner on the force.  The son of legendary law enforcement officer Chang Apana, Snuffy … More

29: Wilbur Apana

Immediately upon arriving back at the station, Chan and Kelso knocked on their boss’s door.  Captain Delbert Kauhane could see that … More

28: Dirty

The two drove to Kaimuki Billiards.  As they walked to the entrance, Kelso pointed out that none of the parking meters … More

Je ne suis plus jaloux

May we – you surely – dance eternallyAnkle and back injuries aside now certainlyRecall our lopsided disco twosomeInevitable one-sided show … More

Notes on Growing up a “Jr. Bow”

Preschool (aka The Four-Year-Old Group):  Mrs. Crooker.  Pineapple cubes with mint leaves and toothpicks (sharp). Kindergarten:  Miss Snow.  Alma Kimura and I vow we … More

Against Time

I always plant carefully and tend my garden wellPray, Jim, and keep hoeingHow will my simple garden growNothing even closeTo … More

No Way

Sleep sometimes this dream whereDarkness should not beSo black as it’s been painted Go back to playing tagOn the metal … More