aikea

"Aikea" is a direct Pidgin phonetic translation of the English phrase "I care," primarily used by locals in Hawaii to express genuine sympathy, concern, or affection for friends and family. While it can be used sincerely to comfort someone going through a hard time, it is also frequently flipped and used sarcastically among peers to mean the exact opposite, that the speaker absolutely does not care. It is appropriate in casual, everyday conversations with close acquaintances but should be avoided in formal or professional settings where standard English is expected. The phrase is closely related to its much more famous counterpart, "ainokea" (I no care / I don't care), which became a massive local pop culture phenomenon and popular clothing brand in the islands.

Everybody know Aunty Mele fo' her big heart, eh. She da kine lady who always get one smile fo' everybody, always ready fo' lend one hand. When she tell you "ai'kea," you know she mean it from da bottom of her heart.

One day, young Kainoa come by Aunty Mele's house, lookin' all mopey. Aunty Mele see him right away, "Eh Kainoa, wat da matta? You look like you wen' lose yo' best friend."

Kainoa sigh, "Aunty, I no make da soccer team. I try my best, but still no good 'nuff."

Aunty Mele pull him close, give him one big hug, "Aikea 'bout you, Kainoa. Dass one tough break, but no give up, eh. You get plenny odda talents."

Kainoa sniffle, "But I wen' really want fo' play soccer."

"I know, I know," Aunty Mele say, rubbin' his back, "But sometimes life throw us one curveball. Das okay fo' feel sad, but no let it stop you from shinin', yeah?"

She go inside her kitchen, come back wit' one plate of warm cookies and one glass of guava juice. "Hea'," she say, "Eat someting, den we talk story. Aikea 'bout yo' dreams, Kainoa, and I aikea 'bout you."

Kainoa smile small kine, take one cookie. Aunty Mele's aikea, dass all he need fo' feel betta. He know she goin' be dere fo' him, no matta wat. Dass da real meaning of aikea, eh? Not jus' words, but da love and support behind dem.