“Ho’i hou i ka iwi kuamo’o.
Return to the backbone. To return to the homeland or family after being away.
”
A week is not enough time to visit Hawaii. But that’s what we had. It’s kind of like a lifetime is not enough time to live your life, but that’s what you have.
And we made the most of it. I went to my nephew Bobby’s wedding on Hawaii Island. The reception was in Waimea in the Hawaiian Homelands Kuhio Hale. Kuhio Hale was where I first began my hula studies as a beginner 37 years ago..but that’s another story.
Kuhio Hale has transformed into a beautiful wedding reception venue. We ate delicious food: opihi, smoked wild pig, kole (reef fish), and warabi (fern shoots) as appetizers and then the main course: pork & peas, pancit, Korean fried chicken and a huge kalua pig!!! And we greeted family and many friends.
I remember Bobby or Bradda as I called him when he was little – cute and full of energy. He hung out with my father and they did a lot together. And when my father was dying, I visited home 2 - 3 times a year. Bradda would be right there to hang out with me. So, I had to go to his wedding.
And what a beautiful one it was with his bride Gladys Ann! She is an elementary school teacher and just received the coveted Teacher of the Year award. I can see there’s a lot of love between them and for their families and friends.
The wedding was just one of many wonderful highlights of my visit – and there were more during my seven days there.
One was a potluck lunch in Puako with my three brothers. There has been conflict between my brothers and me. But it was as if there was a realization that life is too short for conflict between brothers (and sister) and coming together, while initially a bit uncomfortable, was worth it.
I sent out invitations without too many expectations - and something magical happened. They all came. And we chatted and laughed together. Like what happened was in the past. Now was new.
The day before, I went to my parents’ graves in Hilo. There were two beautiful bouquets from the wedding that Bradda and Gladys had brought. One even had a huge pink peony in it. My oldest brother Carl had already been there with his flowers.
I sat between the gravestones and told them what a beautiful wedding Bradda had – they would have loved it. With clear blue skies overhead, Julie and I chanted the Dharani for Kannon (deity of compassion) and made three bows. Many heartfelt memories arose sitting there next to them.
We stopped at a ramen place for dinner. At the counter, I heard the man a couple chairs next to me exclaim softly, “Wow!” I glanced over and saw him watching his cell of the volcano erupting red lava high into the sky! “Is that today?” I asked. He said yes! So right after dinner we headed up to the volcano – just 45 minutes away.
We were lucky to see Pele dancing in all her fiery splendor and power against the dark night! It was a spectacular eruption!!! And as if that wasn’t enough goodness for the week, there was one more adventure before we left.
On our last day there, Carl took us up to the top of Mauna Kea to view the sunset. Sitting in his 1993 Chevy truck in the rarefied 14,000’ elevation, cold wind blowing briskly, I let my fears of altitude sickness dissipate and marveled at the view. My Hawaii, ku’u one (o-nay) hanau / the sands of my birth.
E ola mau loa / long may you live.
Malama pono (take care of body, mind and heart),
June Kaililani Tanoue
Kumu Hula, Roshi
P.S. Two more things I must mention are the healing waters of the Pacific that nurtured me as did my hula sisters who I had lunch with at Merriman's. A Hula 'Ohana is also a strong bond. What stands out for me is their voices. Ihikapuokalani did a pule before we ate and then we broke out into four part harmony of the Doxology - Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow - in Hawaiian. It was as if I had never left. We listened deeply to each other and we sang from our hearts. The blessing rang out through the restaurant.