Summary

In “A Catalog of Kānaka Superstitions, as Told by Your Mother,” the protagonist's mother warns her about sleeping with her “feet by the door,” sleeping with her “head under the open window,” and driving “over the Pali with pork in [her] car” (1). These actions, as well as others including killing moths, burying chopsticks in rice, or pointing at her father’s headstone, all have dangerous repercussions (2, 3).

In “Every Drop a Man’s Nightmare,” Sadie, her stepfather Lopaka, and her mother Kāhea drive “over the old Pali road with a container of pork (4). Having just gotten her period “for the first time,” Sadie accidentally “smears blood on the back seat” (4). Convinced she is dying, Sadie says nothing. When Kāhea notices, she says “it’s about time” (5).

Suddenly, they hit something and the car...