Community

Gertrude Seabury Kaauwai of Kalaupapa, Dies at 78

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

By Ka`ohulani McGuire

Gertrude Roselani “Spitfire” Seabury Kaauwai, known for her determined spirit and “spunk,” died on Dec. 24, 2010 at Straub Hospital. She was 78.

Raised on Maui, Aunty Gertie or “Girlie,” as she was affectionately known, was born on Nov. 26, 1932 at Olowalu. At age 11, Gertrude was sent to Kalaupapa on Sept. 27, 1944 where she was a resident for 66 years. Even though she was free to leave, she chose to remain in the home that she came to love. Known for her mischievous pranks and her spunky attitude, Gertrude earned the nickname of “Spitfire” from one of the Catholic sisters. For Gertrude, being sent to Kalaupapa was a blessing in disguise.  There she found new independence and freedom. Eventually she met and married the love of her life, Barney Kaauwai, whom she credited for having made her a better person.

Aunty Gertie learned the art of la`au lapa`au from older Hawaiian residents at Kalaupapa. Her favorite plant was the hauowi from which she made a tea to treat kidney problems. The leaves were also pounded into a poultice and used to heal broken bones or treat skin problems. Many a resident turned to Aunty Gertie to treat their ailments.

Visitors who spent any amount of time at Kalaupapa knew Aunty Gertie as the “cat lady.” Every afternoon at 1:30, Aunty would start preparing and cooking a gourmet meal for her colony of beloved cats, feeding them steak, hamburger and other delicacies mixed in with dry cat food. Even more amazing was that she had names for all of her cats and could tell them apart. At any one time, Gertrude fed anywhere from 25 to 35 cats at her home, not to mention the numerous other feral cats around the settlement. What a comical sight to see her car driving down the road and the cats running from all directions following after her knowing they would get fed.

But, most of all, Aunty Gertie will be missed at Fuesina’s bar where she played cribbage six nights a week. She was a great teacher and many a visitor learned to play cribbage and got “skunked” by her. Her knack at remembering numbers and instantly knowing the score as soon as she saw your hand was uncanny and remarkable.

Aunty Gertie was a true hulu kupuna. Beloved by all, she will be greatly missed by the Kalaupapa community and everyone who knew her. When reminiscing about the good ole’ days, Aunty liked to use a favorite expression, “I drop tears.” When we think of Aunty Gertie, we will all drop tears for her.

Gertrude is survived by daughters Laura, Debra, Sharon and Cynthia Frasco; stepsons, Charles, Earl, Wayne and Christopher Kaauwai; numerous grandchildren; sisters, Elizabeth Kahihikolo and Anna Maglinti; and brothers, William and Lawrence Seabury. Gertrude was laid to rest in a private burial at Papaloa Cemetery, Kalaupapa.

Bobby Cooke

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

Bobby Cooke of Kipu died on Oct. 29, 2010 in Honolulu. He was born in Honolulu on Feb. 12, 1943, and attended Hanahauoli and Punahou schools and Montana State University.  He lived and worked in Kipu his entire adult life, raising horses, playing cribbage, reading and doing crosswords. He loved God and Molokai, gave generously to charities, friends and pets. Bobby is survived by his sisters Rie (Bud) Vail and Susie Harrington, son Erick, nieces and nephews Mike, Tim, Robert, Juliette (EJ) Vail Engler, David Harrington and Danielle (Mike) Dixon.
A memorial to celebrate and remember the life of Bobby will be held at the family home in Kipu Jan. 29, 2011 at 2 p.m.

Aunty Ku’ulei Perez Moves On

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

Ku`ulei Perez will be remembered for her love for music, Hawaiian language and being an irreplaceable and iconic Molokai aunty.

Her great-niece Nani Ayau remembers her as being a very generous woman and being a mother-figure to all children on the island.

About 150 of her family, friends and fellow local musicians gathered at Coffees of Hawaii last Sunday to honor her legacy.

“She probably raised 90 percent of the people here,” Ayau said, referring to the audience at Coffees of Hawaii.

After speaking with people who knew her and were close to her, only one word could describe Aunty Ku`ulei: music.

Local musician Lono spent time with her last Monday.  She passed away the next day on Jan. 18 due to old age. Born on Feb. 29, 1922, she was just shy of her 89th birthday.

They started playing at the Lodge in Maunaloa in 2004 until it was shut down in 2008, when they began playing concerts at Coffees.

Pelekai also took care of his aunty for four years when she was sick. He said he will remember her funny personality, gift of aloha spirit, and knowledge of Hawaiian language and Hawaiian music.

Her friend and band-mate, Julia Hoe, shared a story with the audience while the band performed over 20 of Aunty’s favorite songs last Sunday.

She recalled a time when Ku`ulei brought her guitar to her friend at Hotel Molokai for him to repair. He forgot the guitar and it ended up disappearing. But a local Molokai boy who she helped raise was living in Honolulu at the time, found the guitar at a pawn shop with her name written inside the guitar.
He bought the guitar, thinking she sold it because she needed money. He flew to Molokai to find her and give it back to her. 

“She was blown away,” Hoe said. “But once she found out the boy was going to be doing some missionary work, she gave the guitar to him and said, ‘Take this guitar and make beautiful music with it.’”

Letting Go
After playing music for her, Lono shared more of his last conversation with Aunty Ku`ulei, in her final hours.

“We were talking about turning in our bodies, moving on with our spirits,” he said. “She told me her husband John had been visiting her in her sleep trying to tell her, ‘Let’s go!’ But she just said, ‘No, no. I’m not ready.’”

But Aunty Ku`ulei finally let go. “He finally must have came and got her,” Lono said.

She is survived by her son Jon Perez, who lives in Honolulu and daughter Raina Dudoit, who lives on Molokai.