BOT:
Forgot link to events page:
Aloha Ahi Ahi UFOhana,
I’m still in Hawai’i so No Vanikapila/Kanikapila this Saturday.
I want to express a heartfelt Mahalo Nui Loa to all of you that supported me on my trip to bid a Final Aloha Oe to my father. It gave me great strength and comfort to know that I was not alone on this difficult journey home.
e neʻe i mua me ka ikaika a me ke akua a me ka ʻohana
move forward with strength and god and family ~ right Carolyn?
As expected, it was very emotional and yet heartwarming to know that my father was loved so much by many. As I was photographing his Celebration Of Life event. People would stop me and tell me stories about how Dad had helped them in their lives. One grabbed me and said, “Your father helped us buy our home by kicking in his commission so we qualified. If it wasn’t for him I would not have stayed in Hawai’i to raise my family. Even after we bought our home your Dad would often drop by with food to see how we were doing . . . “
And the stories went on . . . at times I felt like the Son in the movie “Big Fish”, whose father told him of fantastic tales of his past life. Of course his son thought it was nothing more than the ramblings of a senile old man . . . until the Son attended his Dad’s funeral and his Dad’s stories came to life . . .
“When a man’s stories are remembered then he is immortal.” ~ Big Fish.
Mahalo to Alan Kristal for reminding me of that. Let’s all keep remembering “Our Stories” as an ‘Ohana.
Images and Youtube of Delfin De la Cruz Medina’s Celebration of Life below:
Below is the Livestream from that day. It’s a little long and raw but complete.
We “committed” his ashes on September 8th, 2022, at the Military Cemetery at Punchbowl Crater on O’ahu. It was a small ceremony attended by close family, friends and military comrades. For those of you who wish to view, here are the links to the Commitment Ceremony.
And the Livestream from yesterday. I messed up and did not un-mute the microphone so I included some beautiful mele from Reverend Dennis Kamakahi and Friends instead.
Btw, our next gathering will be in the evening, on 9/17. Our monthly (almost) end of the month Potluck, 6pm-9pm. Check out the Events Page for details and what you will be bringing for kaukau (Pot Luck).
Some of you may remember seeing Andrew Molina at the Magic Flute a while back, well just like “magic” he’s back! He’ll be holding a 2 hours Concert/Workshop at Magic Flute on Oct 2, 2022. Scan the QR code below for details and to purchase a ticket.
UkEkU
Father’s journey ends,
A Son’s journey continues,
And Memories shared . . .
– On behalf Nohea, myself, Medina ‘Ohana and Jake . . .
Me ke Aloha Pumehana . . .
… and a special mahalo nui loa to my beloved Nohea for encouraging me to write this.
:EOT