The famous ethnic and cultural diversity of Hawaii is something we love to point out to anyone who will listen. I’ve known this for thirty years now, because it’s been that long since I moved to the islands from Seattle (on January 8, 1980), taking one of those crazy leaps of faith, trusting that this was where I belonged.

Aside from the natural beauty of Hawaii, the beauty and diversity of its people are what we grow to appreciate more deeply over the years. This is one amazing mix plate.

If you read “Attack of the killer cliches” here on Monday, you witnessed the power of words to drive us crazy. Here’s a short story, a cautionary tale, I wrote on the subject.

I read “Obsession” at the Hawaii Book & Music Festival a few years ago. Just one note on this story—yes, it’s important to care about language, but be careful that it doesn’t take over your life. There, you’ve been warned.