Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 12, 1 December 2009 — Hawaiians in Detroit honor Father Damien [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiians in Detroit honor Father Damien

By Erme Kauahi Giurato The opportunity to host the relic of Father Damien in Detroit at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Oct. 13 was granted to Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit by Bishop Larry Silva of Honolulu. They had worked together years ago in Oakland, California. The relic was brought from Rome by Father Lane Akiona, who was born in Moloka'i. He spoke of the goodness of Father Damien, concluding with his singing of the Hawaiian Doxology. Also invited were three Hawaiian women who chanted in the procession for Saint Damien: "I am grateful that Hawaiians were included in this ceremony as Hawaiians cherish the relics of our people and we pay this same respect to Father Damien,"

said Schantell Schmidt Taylor, who is originally from Wai'anae and now lives in the Detroit area. Joanne Kaahanui Davis, who hails from Hau'ula and also lives in the Detroit area, said she was "so happy to be here and share in this ceremony . . . representing the Hawaiians." As for myself, a Kailua native living in the Chicago area, the experience was overwhelming. I told the media, "I am here to pay homage to a man who lived his life as Christ did and ministered to our people physically and spiritually with God's love." Mahalo Kamiano Aloha Ke Akua! ■ Erme Kauahi Giurato is the kumu hula ofhālau Nā Pua o Hawai'i ko nāi 'āiina e. Contact her at ermegiu rato@att.net.

Joanne Kaahanui Davis, left, Erme Kauahi Giurato, and Schantell Schmidt-Taylor performed protocol during the return of St. Damien's relics to Michigan. - Photo: Courtesy Emie Kauahi Giurato