A/N: I grew up inland, so shark steak was a new concept for me. But apparently that's a thing in some parts of Hawaii. Not all parts… but this is what my relatives brought home from the store.
Danny dug into the grocery bags Steve had dumped on the counter and began carefully placing the fruits and veggies and meats into various drawers and shelves in the fridge. One package of meat, however, caught his eye.
"Steve? What's this?"
Steve glanced over his shoulder. "That's shark."
"Why do you have shark? I thought we were grilling salmon."
"The salmon at the store was too expensive, so I got some shark instead."
"Oh, right, sure. 'I'll just grab some shark' he says, cause that's apparently normal here," Danny said, doing a low, burly version of Steve's voice.
"It is normal here, D."
"Next, you're going to tell me that people still hunt with spears and live in caves. Aren't we more civilized than shark?"
"I hate to break it to you, buddy, but salmon is not more civilized than shark. And I don't know about living in caves, but spear hunting-"
"Don't say it!" Danny exclaimed throwing up a hand.
"Local culture, Danny- you've got to learn to embrace it."
"I've embraced local culture- Malasadas are awesome. And Kahlua pork. And acai bowls. And sushi."
"That's Japanese."
"Whatever. I'm still embracing local culture."
Steve rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine. In that case, you're ready for the next step."
Danny narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What's the next step?"
"Aloha spirit. You know that guava tree in my front yard?"
"Yeah…"
Steve reached under the counter and pulled out a basket. "Pick a bunch and put them in here. Leave it on the neighbor's lanai."
"On the…" Danny's voice died out as he stared at the basket in his hands. "Why?" he asked with genuine curiosity.
"Aloha spirit. Before this place became popular, everybody had a fruit tree in their yard, and when your fruit came into season, you would share with your neighbors. One day, you step outside and find a basket of pomelos or pomegranates on the step. A month or so later, when your tree is ready, you return the favor."
"Okay…" Danny said slowly. "But what does Hawaii's popularity have to do with anything?"
"Once the islands became popular, mainlanders moved out here, bought houses, and drove up the prices. Locals couldn't afford a place to live. People started selling off their back yards to squeeze in an extra house and make money off the rent."
Danny nodded slowly. He'd seen neighborhoods like that, where newer houses had obviously been shoved into lots that were far too small and pressed right up against the older homes.
"No yard, no trees, no fruit," Steve finished with a shrug. "But my dad made sure we kept ours. Even when times were hard, he refused to sell. And our neighbors have kept theirs as well."
"So it's your duty to keep the aloha spirit alive, or whatever."
Steve looked at him oddly and nodded. "Well yeah."
"Okay. So I pick the fruit, put it on the step, and… that's it? Do I ring the doorbell or anything?"
"No. Just leave it there."
"And the basket?"
"It'll be returned."
"With more fruit?"
"With more fruit."
"Huh." Danny turned the basket over in his hands a few times as he moved toward the door. "Kinda cool," he murmured.
Steve grinned.