going

In Hawaiian Pidgin, "going" (often pronounced "goin") functions as the primary future tense marker, replacing the standard English "will" or "going to." It is universally used across all demographics in Hawaii, from young children to elders, and is a foundational element of Pidgin grammar. You will hear it in everyday casual conversation, such as "I going sleep" or "We going eat." While perfectly acceptable in informal settings, local workplaces, and casual texts, it is typically avoided in formal academic writing or strict professional correspondence. Its usage stems from the simplification of English grammar during the plantation era, where auxiliary verbs were streamlined to make communication easier among diverse immigrant groups.

Takeshi and Mike were leaning against the tailgate of their Tacoma in the Kahului Costco parking lot, eating hot dogs after a long shift at a Kihei job site. Keahi, the new guy on the crew, was trying way too hard to impress them. He had just bought a massive, lifted truck on a ridiculous loan and was revving the engine, bragging about how he was going to smoke anyone on the Mokulele Highway.

"I going show you guys what this cherry yota can do," Keahi yelled out the window, throwing it into reverse. "I going leave everybody in the dust!" He slammed the gas pedal, completely forgetting he had left his tailgate down and his expensive hydro flask sitting right on the bumper.

The truck lurched backward with a sickening crunch straight into a yellow concrete pole base. The tailgate crumpled like a cheap soda can, and his water bottle clattered across the asphalt. Takeshi slowly took a bite of his hot dog, looked at Mike, and muttered, "Yeah, he going straight to the auto body shop." Keahi just sat in the driver's seat, face burning red, wishing the pavement would swallow him whole.