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Molokai Soldier in Afghanistan: Part III

Monday, March 3rd, 2008

The people of Afghanistan are mostly pleasant, hard-working, and pose no threat to US or Coalition forces.  They are simple and lack much if any education. Most have no concept of what is going on in the world around them. 

I once tried to explain through my interpreter what a convenience store or a mall was and I was totally unable to get them to even grasp the idea. 

The children are the most loved by troops. They will stand by the roads and wave with the biggest smiles you have ever seen.  Most are poorly clothed and usually covered in dirt.

The children will run across a field to get near you in the hopes that you may throw them a piece of candy or a pen.  They have learned that we are here to help them and us the "thumbs-up" sign as we drive or walk by. 

Personally, the living conditions and stench can disgust me at times, but the children make it all worth wile. 

Sometimes, when you have been shot at or caught in a rocket attack you get very angry. It can be hard not to be distrustful of everyone you see; Afghanis all look similar and the bad guys do not wear any kind of uniform to differentiate themselves. 

The only way to recognize a bad guy is when he or she pulls an AK-47 rifle out or a rocket-propelled grenade and points it or shoots it at you.  Sometimes it is too late to figure it out. 

In the end, the innocent and beautiful children are sometimes the only thing that keeps you going because they have no choice in the matter and someone has to look out for them.
 
I had always been poor growing up, and felt that I had a good appreciation for things, but five and a half months later upon my return from my first deployment all of life seemed even sweeter. 

To be able to walk outside and not have to wear body armor, a helmet, night-vision goggles or to carry a rifle was nice.  To be in a real house with clean running water and carpeting and not have to worry about mortars and rockets shelling you is bliss. 

After months of eating nothing but MRE's and drinking plain bottled water, the simple act of getting in your car and driving to the store and being able to buy or eat anything you want any time is more than I can describe. 

Being able to watch REAL television and drink a beer is probably taken for granted by every person in America, but once you have been deployed to combat for any length of time it is pure heaven. 

Genoa Keawe Passes Away

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

Early Monday morning, February 25, 2008, Aunty Genoa Leilani Keawe passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Papakolea. She has dealt with many health challenges in the last 10 years of her life and has met each obstacle with great faith and determination to bounce back into the lime light with her many performances. Her team of doctors treated her with admirable service. Her Heavenly Father has truly blessed her 89 years of life with strength in maintaining her beautiful soprano voice for everyone to enjoy up to the last day at home. Aunty Genoa has lived a full life and is very happy with all the blessings of family and her self-taught career as an entertainer and business woman. She was a very simple person.   She loved the people of Hawaii and her many fans throughout the world for their support through her experiences and travels.

Service arrangements will be by Borthwick Mortuary. Services will be conducted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for which she has served as a faithful member.

Genoa Leilani Adolpho married Edward P. Keawe-Aiko. Together they had 12 children. Today there are 3 survivors, Gary P. Keawe-Aiko (#1), Eli Kaeo Paalua (#8) and Eric K. Keawe (#11). Deceased are Moana, Arthur, Victoria, Edward Jr., Samuel, Miriam, James, Kauilani & Sonny. She has 40 Grand Children 98 Great Grand Children and 81 Great, Great Grand Children. She recognizes her deceased children's spouses as well who has always been there for support when needed, Howard Lono, Iwalani (Ho), Frederick Amina, Snooks (Watson), Barbara (Buchanan), Patrick Ah Yuen and two hanai daughters Suzie Harrison and Roberta Silva.

Coffee Sales Support Kalaupapa Council

Monday, February 25th, 2008

Press Release

Coffees of Hawaii (COH) owner Albert Boyce delivered last Friday a $500 check to Gloria Marks for the benefit of the Kalaupapa Patient Advisory Council.

“There are 27 remaining patients in Kalaupapa, and funds such as these help cover their incidental off-island medical expenses. We appreciate Coffees of Hawaii's interest and support,” Marks said in a press release.

Based in Kualapu’u, Molokai, COH has designated one percent of the sales of its “Muleskinner” coffee to the Patient Council. Its “Muleskinner” label depicts the historical muleskinners who served the colony, as well as illustrating images of the Catholic Church and Father Damien statue in Kalawao. COH use of the images received the blessing and authority of the Kalaupapa Ohana Council in 2007.

In addition to the above donation program, COH is also a member of “One Percent for the Planet,” a global organization of over 750 companies that donate one percent of their sales to a network of more than 1,500 environmental organizations worldwide. The network includes many Hawaiian environmental organizations.

COH coffee can be found in select restaurants and stores in the islands, and is also available online at www.coffeesofhawaii.com.

Hula, A Way of Life

Saturday, February 23rd, 2008

The cultural practice is more than dancing.

Weaving is a long process, it is important to recognize the fact that to buy something has less of your own mana than it is to make it yourself.

After the students finish weaving we will have a ceremony to bless and name their mats. I was taught, as a hula person, that the items or implements that we use in our hula are extensions of our bodies. Much like our body, we respect and treat these items as an important part of who we are.

Mahalo Ka ‘Ohana ‘O Hina O Ka Po La’la’i, Aunty Kauwila Hanchett for your time and patience with us, Malia Wates for sharing your ‘ike, and to ‘Anakala Pilipo, ‘Anakala Alex, and Kaliko Trapp for your vast amount of knowledge.