"Miki, [left] age 9-1/2, is the senior cat in the household, in both age and rank. She was picked up in the bar at Spindrifter restaurant in Kahala as a kitten by a family friend, who allowed us to adopt her on Christmas Day in 1986.

"Kitten fever hit again in June '87, and Kua [right] was rescued from a pet store in Kalihi. She was a walking example of what you should not look for in a kitten, but she obviously recovered from all those kittenhood maladies to be the princess of the house.

"Hiwa [left] took up residence on our roof after her former family left the neighborhood and left her behind at the mercy of the local Toms. After coaxing her down with food and friendship, she's become a very satisfactory cat. She still likes to get up on the roof and pretend that there's no way down except to be plucked to safety by a cooperative person, an obvious ruse to gain attention. It works.

"Buster [right] has a real claim to fame as the only Kaaawa cat who has had a root canal. Yup, our favorite vet, Doug Hooks at Ahuimani Pet Clinic, did a great job of dentistry and saved Buster's left front fang. Okay, okay, but I'm sure the dentistry has boosted his self-confidence. Buster was a teenage runaway who left his real family two doors down and moved into our garage a few years ago. He is the champion ratter of Haahaa Street, and enjoys his work. And his toys.

"Lindsey, [left] is a calendar cat, having appeared as Mr. Feb. 10 in the 365 Cats Calendar for 1995. He was rescued by friends outside the McDonalds in Laie, then was quickly propelled into his moment of fame. Now he spends time stalking the cute calico who lives next door. He is not a ratter, but has been known to knock paintings aside when pursuing an occasional gecko."