Pidgin celebration

The word of the day for Feb. 18 is "kalakoa," which means "plenny colors all hemajang." On Nov. 3 you get "cockaroach," as in "Eh! Who wen cockaroach da cookies?"

Bess Press celebrates the 25th anniversary of "Pidgin to da Max," that well-loved tribute to da kine talk, with the "Pidgin to da Max Word-a-Day Calendar," complete with the irreverent prose of Peppovision and the cartoon drawings of Douglas Simonson.

If you prefer a greater reverence in your approach to language, try the "Illustrated Hawaiian Word-a-Day Calendar," by Kahikahealani Wight, illustrated by Robin Yoko Racoma. On Feb. 18 -- or Pepeluali 18 -- of this calendar, you get "kai," which means sauce.

The calendars sell for $11.95 at most bookstores. If no can fine, try www.besspress.com.