cockaroach

In Hawaii, "cockaroach" is a widely used Pidgin verb that means to steal, swipe, or sneakily take something that belongs to someone else. It is used by locals of all ages, typically in a lighthearted, joking, or mildly annoyed context rather than to describe a serious crime. You would use it when a friend takes a piece of chicken off your plate without asking, or when a sibling borrows your clothes and "forgets" to return them. The term playfully compares the act of petty theft to the behavior of a cockroach scurrying away with a crumb of food. While it is acceptable and funny among friends and family, it should be avoided in formal settings or when discussing actual, serious theft, as the humorous undertone would be highly inappropriate.

We was all setting up the pop-up tent at Launiupoko Beach Park, getting ready for my uncle’s birthday barbecue. The coolers was packed to the top with poke, potato mac salad, and enough teriyaki beef to feed the whole west side. I put my favorite pair of Locs sunglasses on top of the cooler lid just for one second while I was helping tie down the tarp.

When I turned back around, the glasses was gone. I looked under the folding tables, checked inside the truck bed, and even asked my little cousins if they seen 'em. Then I spotted my brother walking back from the water, grinning big, wearing my exact shades.

"Eh, you wen cockaroach my glasses!" I yelled out, laughing but half-mad. He just threw me a shaka and kept walking, acting like he had no idea what I was talking about. Next time, I keeping my stuff in my pocket.