"Tu Be or Not Tu Be"

New family: Dean & Mark

"To Be or Not To Be"...that was the question.

Our oldest corgi, "Reba" (also known as "B") became a grandma recently, when her daughter "I'I Lani" had her puppies.  "Reba" became "Tu-Tu-B" -- tu-tu being the commonly used name for grandma here in Hawaii.

But the answer to the question of keeping the puppy evolved into the Shakespearean quote -- "to be or not to be." And, much as we wanted to believe the answer was "yes" it seems there was another answer...and it wasn't just "no."

The "how" is less important than the choice we made to  just "let to" and trust. Yesterday we said our sad goodbyes to the puppy who has delighted us for eight weeks -- particularly in the aftermath of the election results.

We also decided what this sad world really needs is for everyone to just sit down on the grass and hold a puppy! We had no expectations from the new family on Oahu.  We said goodbye at 1:30 in the afternoon, and only eight hours later received these lovely photos from her new ohana. Looks like the puppy's got a pal already -- and her new family will keep us posted on her future adventures.

What the world needs now -- are PUPPIES and ALOHA!!

Aloha 'Oe -- Memorial Day

It seems the older we get the more significant Memorial Day becomes; not surprising that we now have a better appreciation for how our parents used to habitually read the obituaries. I remember a visit to Ohau's famous National Memorial Cemetery over 45 years ago set in Pouwaina Crater and home to thousands of veterans and their families.  ("click" on photos for larger view)

Small Puna Cemetery

Here in rural Puna on the Big Island, we have found several small unnamed cemeteries. Yesterday, flowers in hand, we visited three, all tucked back a little from the road...all with ocean views!  (I also offered a halting, newly learned song, "Hawai'i Aloha.) "Hear this lovely mele!!

Each setting is like a window in time -- each grouping seems to carry its own personal, quiet ambiance. Every year local people (relatives and not) caravan down to Puna's famous "Red Road" to be sure that grave sites are cleaned and decorated -- some elaborate, some simple. These humble clusters of graves, found along the side of the road, offer reminders of village life 100 years ago.

One of our fondest memories during a Michigan visit to Phil's mom was a stroll with Margaret through the local cemetery where she pointed out plots with names going back on both sides for many generations.

Our home altar - those loved and lost

This year we set up our family altar as a shrine of remembrance of those we have known, loved and lost including parents and "best persons" from our wedding; from baby Kummar who lived only 100 days, to much loved and respected teachers and elders who reached nearly 100 years.

One of the many interesting cultural differences here in Hawai'i is the very obvious respect given to elders -- the Kupuna, who are the carriers and teachers of tradition, language and culture. 

"OLA NA IWI"  (The bones live!)

"The Eddie" Hawaii 2016

When we first visited the Big Island in 2011, we noticed a bumper sticker that said "Eddie Would Go" and found it so intriguing we had to find out more.  What we found was not just the story of one amazing man -- but a deeply moving story about Hawaiian heritage and culture. (We are writing this mostly for folks back on the mainland who may know nothing about this event, person or cultural history.) 

As one of the most respected names in surfing, "Eddie" (Edward Ryon Makuahanai Aikau May 4, 1946 – March 17, 1978) was the first lifeguard at Waimea Bay on Oahu, saving many lives. He also was the first lifeguard to work the North Short where, during his watch, not a single life was lost.

Hokule'a

"Eddie" became involved in perpetuating his Hawaiian heritage. In 1976, the Polynesian Voyaging Society sailed the Hokule'a on a successful 30-day, 2500 mile journey following the ancient route of the Polynesian migration, using celestial navigation, between the Hawaiian and Tahitian islands. In 1978, a second voyage of the traditional sailing canoe was planned. At 31 years of age, Aikau was selected for this voyage as a crew member.

We held our collective breath -- watching these 60 foot waves!

The Hokule'a left the Hawaiian Islands on March 16, 1978. The double-hulled voyaging canoe developed a leak in one of the hulls and later capsized in stormy weather about twelve miles south of the island of Molokai. In an attempt to get to land to save his crew and the Hokule'a, Aikau paddled toward Lanai on his surfboard. Hours later a commercial airplane spotted the Hokule'a and the rest of the crew was soon rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. Aikau was missing at sea. Despite great search efforts "Eddie" was never seen again.

Held at Waimea Bay, "The Eddie" sponsored by Quicksilver, has not happened in many years because the conditions have to be perfect -- HUGE waves -- and the worldwide competition is by invitation only. For SEVEN years the waves have not been good enough to be called "The Eddie" but just last week we were blessed with stunning waves, rides and wipe outs.

CLICK LINK TO SEE LIVE SHOTS (hold your breath!) Quick Silver In Memory Eddie Aikau

CLICK LINK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE POLYNESIAN VOYAGING SOCIETY AND "HOKULE'A" :  Hokule'a Voyage

(The info here has been edited from a variety of sources including Wikipedia, Eddie Aikau Foundation, and other articles.)