What’s Up Maunaloa

Column by Aunty Kehau Pule

In this article your roving reporter would like to pay a special tribute to someone I didn’t know. The purpose of my article is to give back some dignity to a man that was found dead in a little shack across the swimming pool and had to be buried that very day he was found. No family member could be contacted. He probably was a father, a husband, a grandpa, an uncle or a brother who chose our beautiful island of Molokai to call his home and his last resting place. So let me begin by sharing what I may have known about this slim “haole” man who carried a guitar on his back and who walked Kaunakakai town periodically. He may have been a homeless person but he used to hang around by the Molokai Pizza Café. One of my daughters who worked there shared with me that this could be that man that she called a friend and used to buy him food once in a while when he was hungry. My daughter also remembers that he loved to play his guitar and enjoyed singing. He even shared with her that he had family down Kalaupapa, may that be true or not. For now I will call this person Uncle Mike. Uncle Mike now you lay rest at Kapaakea Cemetary. It might have been quick in the process but I pray that you’re home with the Lord! Mahalo nui loa for choosing Molokai as your home and for all the great things that probably transpired in your life which I believe was awesome, great and filled with joy and love. Thank you for making your home here on our island and for those days that we did see you passing by in Kaunakakai town or sitting in front of the post office singing away on your guitar. Until we meet again one day, a hui hou and aloha oe Uncle Mike. This is your roving reporter Aunty Kehau closing with this thought of the day, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to ALL people.” Galatians 6:9-10. Take kea and malama one another. A belated get well wish to Pamela Cheney.