honeyhoney

Little Toy Gun

Plot

Hanahana, reduplication of the Hawaiian word, hana, is a pidgin term for work. Originally used by those who labored on the sugar plantations, it later came to be used by other workers in Hawaii. The term, as well as the hard work and way of life it connotes, transcended ethnic and cultural barriers, providing people with a shared understanding of the work experience. Thus, the term's meaning, mixed origin, and common use by workers make it an appropriate title for this anthology, which features oral history narratives of twelve working people. These narratives show us how some workers felt and lived, enrich our understanding of workers in twentieth-century Hawaii, and remind us that history is in the main about men and women like ourselves, who - when given a chance - can present their life stories with eloquence, understanding, and an unmatched sense of realism.