Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 1, 1 January 1989 — He Pua No Ka Wekiu: "Blossom on the Topmost Branch" [ARTICLE]

He Pua No Ka Wekiu: "Blossom on the Topmost Branch"

Calling him, "He pua no ka wekiu, a blossom on the topmost branch," Mrs. Gladys Ainoa Brandt shared the "ka mana'o 'ohana" (eulogy) at the memorial service for her longtime friend and associate, Richard Lyman, Jr., on December 28. Brandt noted that Lyman's lifespan of 85 years "took him across most of thiscentury,"from 1903, ten years after the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, through many changes in Hawai'i to 1988. Yet she added, "In so many ways, Richard helped bring these changes about. His life made a differenee in forging the fate of Hawai'i." From his origins in the farmlands of Puna, Hawai'i, she said, "The land Hawaiians referred to as 'Āina i ka houpo o Kane, 'land on the bosom of Kāne,' "he drew his country-boy image and his determination to succeed. Brandt said he eompared himself to the hala fruit of Puna, "He iki hala au no Kea'au, 'a'ohe p5haku 'alā e nahā ai. I am a small hala fruit of Kea'au but there is no rock hard enough to smash me." Lyman viewed the 'aina of Hawai'i, she said "as productive in one way or another. For him the land had potential for food or energy or development, and for beauty. He possessed a traditionally Hawaiian sensitivity to nature, treating the land and the sea with great respect and reverence." She told how his vision led to transforming barren lava land of Puna into fertile farms for papayas, trees, flowers and even a golf course and resort. In later years, she said, he eame to envision a future for Hawai'i in geothermal energy development and related industries "such as warm water health spas and glass and micro-chip manufacturing industries whieh could utilize the silica byproduct. . .in the basalt rock." Yet "Papa" Lyman's life was dedicated to carrying out not only his own, but also the vision of Berniee Pauahi Bishop for education of Hawaiian ehildren. "Being a trustee during Kamehameha's Centennial Celebration in 1987 was also most meaningful to Richard. It gave him the opportunity to bring Pauahi's greatness to the attention of the world. . ." Brandt avowed. Lyman was himself a cultural treasure of Hawai'i, shecontinued. "His sensitive appreciation

of Hawaiian customs and the Hawaiian language made him a unique resource throughout his iong life. He was constantly ruminating over the nuances and poetry of Hawaiian words and phrases." "He challenged young people to think on their own and to question the assumptions, opinions and conclusions of those who wrote the books," Brandt noted. "All the while there would be seriousness in his face, but a twinkle in his eyes." "Richard never claimed to be an authority in Hawaiian," she pointed out, "but he was." She added, "He showed us Hawaiians had deep and profound insights that were revealed through the language. Kapālama was the enclosure around the light knowledge. Keauhou meant a new era. With a simple change in emphasis, slow and dull Kaka'ako could be transformed to fast and furious Kaka'akō. And when he heard Kamehameha girls singing 'Aloha Pauahi' he became convinced that it did not mean the 'fire was extinguished,' rather that the 'image is being polished.' " "Richard Lyman, Jr. was a man of substance and depth. His occasionally stern visage and his tendency to speak in plain and simple language camouflaged a deeply sensitive and philosophical mind. The typically Hawaiian shyness and reserve belied his inner strength. His good-humored teasing and nukunuku or grouchy demeanor sheltered a heart filled with love." "Now he and Kalakaua ean talk with Thomas Edison of the unbridled potential of geothermal energy. Perhaps he has unlocked the mystery of Nomilu, that plaee on Kaua'i where the fishing is disturbed by volcanic activity on Hawai'i. And surely he will find someone in heaven to confirm his beliefs. . .that Pauahi's house was named Hale 'Akala for its pink color, not after Maui's majestic Haleakala. . .that Punchbowl is 'middle hill,' Pu'u Waena, not 'hill of sacrifice,' Pu'owaina. . .that it is Kealaakeakua, 'the pathway of the gods,' not Kealakekua." "But we here, his family and his many friends, we will miss our Richard. He was to us, 'he pua no ka wekiu, a blossom on the topmost branch.' Aloha Richard."