Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 11, 1 November 2009 — Reading KWO [ARTICLE]

Reading KWO

I wanna start by saying and giving great mahalos to those who have given their time and effort to make Ka Wai Ola what it is today, and what it will be in the future for us "keiki." I am currently incarcerated here in Sterling Correctional Facility in Denver, Colorado, far away from my Hawaiian island and my 'ohana, and not to mention "Da Hawaiian Grinds." Ka Wai Ola has given me many blessings and understandings about my heritage. "Onee a Hawaiian, always a Hawaiian."

It has also given me strength to keep on going and to stand strong and firm without giving up like how our ancestors did before us and to eonhnue "Da Hawaiian Ways." I will close my letter by sharing a saying of inspiration that my son has written to me and whieh I have kept close to my heart. From Brandon Hamana Abenes, "Stay strong, Dad, keep your head up and never look down, 'cuz you are Hawaiian, and we bow to no one." Larry Kaululani Abenes Sterīing Correctional Facility Demer, Colorado