broke

In Hawaii, "broke" is universally used across all demographics to describe the state of having absolutely no money, usually in the days leading up to payday. While it shares the exact same meaning as its standard English counterpart, in Pidgin it is often used as a blunt, unapologetic statement of fact rather than a source of deep shame. Locals will casually decline invitations to eat out or go to the bar by simply stating, "I stay broke." It is appropriate in almost any casual setting among friends, family, and coworkers, though it might be considered too informal for professional financial discussions. The phrase highlights the notoriously high cost of living in the islands, where stretching a paycheck and being temporarily "broke" is a shared, highly relatable experience.

The rain was coming down sideways at the Hilo farmers market, turning the blue plastic tarps into loud, flapping drums. Darryl had been trying to impress Malia all morning, loudly offering to buy her and Stacie whatever they wanted. He swaggered up to the auntie selling the massive, overpriced smoked ahi dip and artisan taro chips, pulling out his wallet with a flourish. "Get whatever you guys like," he said, leaning against the wet folding table. "I got um."

Malia and Stacie loaded up on the expensive snacks, adding a couple of fresh lilikoi lemonades to the pile. The auntie tallied it up on her calculator, tapped the screen, and said, "Forty-two dollars, boy." Darryl confidently handed over his debit card. The little white square reader beeped, flashed red, and displayed 'DECLINED'. He tried it again. Beep, red flash. The auntie gave him a flat, unimpressed look over her reading glasses.

"Oh, shoot, I thought my direct deposit hit," Darryl mumbled, his face turning the color of a ripe rambutan as the line of people behind them started sighing. Stacie rolled her eyes, digging into her own purse to hand the auntie a fifty-dollar bill. "You stay broke, Darryl," she muttered, grabbing the bags of food. "Next time just say you no more money before you make us look stupid in front everybody."