Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 37, Number 9, 1 September 2020 — AUNTY LAURA THOMPSON [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AUNTY LAURA THOMPSON

J HE HO'OMANA'O V > IN MEMORIAM "

HE HALlAALOHA (1925 - 2020)

By The Thompson 'Ohana Laura Kalaukapu Low Lucas Thompson, daughter of Clorinda and Charles Lucas, peacefully transitioned into her next journey on the evening of August 9, 2020, surrounded by her family in her home on the land that she loved for 95 years, Niu Valley, O'ahu. "She left our sight with a smile on her face and went deep into the valley to her beloved home," said her son Nainoa Thompson. Laura grew up on her father's "Niu Dairy," where her deep and abiding love of nature and animals, both tame and wild, took hold and guided her through life. She would say her best friend was her horse Huapala. She told stories of riding Huapala from Niu to Maunalua Bay, to Hanauma Bay and beyond, to Alan Davis. Laura graduated from Punahou school where a certain classmate caught her eye in the 9th grade, Myron "Pinky" Thompson. According to Laura, she handed Pinky a note that read, "Hi, you're cute. I'm Laura and I'm sitting in the row next to you five seats back." Laura went on to Lake Erie College in Ohio while Pinky went off to war. He survived the invasion of Normandy but later was shot in the head and lost an eye while leading a patrol. After recovering at a hospital on the East Coast, he attended and graduatct frnrn r r n1-

lege. Laura and Pinky married in Augusta, Maine on February 21st, 1949. They soon began a ^ family, starting with their daughter Lita. Then, upon their return to Hawai 'i *

and Niu Valley, they had th£ sons Myron then Nainoa. Laura was the embodiment of Hawaiian values of

old. She left the garage door open for countless children, neighbors i and even strangers if A they needed a plaee m to lay their head at night, food to eat, counsel in crisis or B just the comfort of i presence. And she H

left it open because nature was always H welcomed as ■ well, be it pets or ■ strays. She was ■ also stalwart and | strong, unwavering " in those values and she applied them with

passion to all living •'•a things, for whieh she ■ carried an unconditional 1 love. Laura was a powerful force

for good in the community but always chose to give her time quietly in the background for countless organizations and causes. She served as executive director and board member of the Hawaiian Humane Society. In her 80s she volunteered on Midway Atoll and found such joy in being outnumbered by thousands of Albatross. She served as a board member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society for decades and was a guiding conscience in decisions that would ultimately affect thousands through PVS programs and voyages. Laura's love for all forms of life extended to the oeean as well. She served on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Advisory Council from its ineephon in 200 1 . She advocated for outreach and education programs for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and was instrumental in securing it as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010. She also focused her attention on the dramatic deterioration of coral in Maunalua Bay, pai't of the ahupua'a of Niu. She was a founding member of the non-profit Mālama Maunalua. "This is my home, this is my 'āina, this is my responsibility," she said at one meeting. Laura also served on the boards of Alu Like, Kahala Nui, Papa Ola Lōkahi, Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center, Hawai'i Island Humane Society, American Humane Association, the Latham FounHntinn (Alameda, CA), The Nature Conservancy, Hui Nalu Canoe

Club, Hawai'i Nature Center, The Outdoor Circle, Planned Parenthood of Hawai'i, Parents and Children Together, the YWCA, Pālama Settlement, and the Zoo Hui. Laura' s reach and impact were global, and she

received many awards over her lifetime, both ^ locally and nationally, because of her eom- . mitment to kindness and compassion. From her children's point of view, of

11 the infinite gifts she gave to so many, one of her greatest was that she was the foundation for her husband and her husband's work and successes, because she not only loved him, she ibelieved in him. Laura's greatest joy would be for every one of us to be kind - kind to eaeh other, kind to this land and kind to all living things.

We believe what mom would want would be that every day every one of us will give a gift of kindness and compassion to earth, nature and humanity, with the belief that this will be the path to peaee. Laura is survived by three ehildren, seven grandchildren and six

great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly. ■ Photos: Courtesy of the Thompson 'Ohana