Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 1, 1 January 1991 — Remembering the kupuna's commitment [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Remembering the kupuna's commitment

by A. Frenchy DeSoto T rustee-at-large

Aloha no ea no po e Hawai'i: As I sit with pen in hand, I am overwhelmed with memories, both happy and . painful ones. I guess losing the kupuna, more recently Unele Harry Mitchell,

stirs the memory, and īn this process, one remembers. Remembering when Unele Harry took Papa Kala and I into his lo'i kalo, remembering the nights we shared in my hale at Makua with Aunty Emma, Aunty Clara, Ann Ritte, Kawahine Kamakea and many makua and opio gives me a warm feeling of aloha that brings wai maka. I feel the loss of these significant Hawaiians, and the experiences of love we shared together. How blessed, I am to have known these kupuna, Unele Harry, Emma DeFries, Mary Lee, Papa Kalahikiola Naliielua, Iolani Luahine, Aunty Napua Stevens, Papa Aila, Papa Lyman and many, many others who have gone to join their ancestors. Eaeh one contributed to my education. Mahalo piha kupuna, I will remember you eaeh time the mist of fine rain kisses the Pali, eaeh time the pueo fly, when the kahakai washes the sand, and when the

sun rises and sets. I will remember you, with fond aloha. I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 6:12, "For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who ean tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?" What does this mean for me? Well, I believe that while I have Ha, I must do my very best for you, and I am committed to do just that and not too kaumaha about tomorrow. Having known the kupuna who have passed on has given me an edge„ an edge that allows me to be in step with the realization of our mortality. As 1990 closes, and as we

begin a new trek together, I ask for your prayers. I am keenly aware that there is an evolution taking plaee. Mueh has been accomplished. Still I am unable to articulate an uneasiness that I continue to feel; a sense that, perhaps, the enormous needs of our people may not be met even in my remaining lifetime. In my commitment of servitude where decisions are made on your behalf, I have weighed eaeh and every pieee of information ayailable before making a decision. During this evolution, OHA needs your spiritual support. Pray that those who take up the yoke of service resist hidden agendas that eall for the cultivation of their own egos and power.