Kekahuna

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: Aloha Uncle Charlie, : I close the end of the American year(not the Hawaiian year)with a news : item that stayed in my mind and would not go away.(Dec.16,1998,in the sta). : As I sat looking at the smiling face staring back at me through the computer : image on the screen,tears welled up in my eyes.My thoughts drifted back to : a time long ago and far away.Though it seem like just yesterday. : Yesterday,when I walked bare footed from my family's home on upena circle,in : Makaha to Waianae elementry school,a distance of three miles,each way. : I recalled those daily"ritual"walks with fondness and thanksgiving.So many walks : in fact,that callous'developed on the bottoms of the wawae.Why,I had callous'on top of callous'. : Callous'so thick even the kuku's no could go in.Callous'so thick,no need shoes for walk.Callous : so thick I could run across the sharp,jagged papa stretching from Makaha to Waianae without injuring my wawae. : Oh,how I enjoyed those walks.I got to know the many intimate details of the land,and the ocean(mauka,makai)on : those walks.Quite often(more often than not)I would detour from the main highway(Farrington),and walk along the ocean for body surf,or go mauka the highway, : and walk.Often(more often than not)arriving at school-late.But I didn't worry about it.In retrospect,I developed an understanding,and : close relationship,and respect for the land,the ocean,and the many creatures that lived along the ocean,and along the mountain side.I looked forward to those,often solitary walks : where I was certain to greet the many families of creatures living along that stretch.The sounds of peace and quiet,and the sounds of nature was awsome. : No condominiums,no stores(except in waianae town),no houses(very few),no tourists,no opala.Nothing but the sounds of nature.The sound of the ocean waves. : We did not have to worry much about cars then because there were very few cars to worry about.Why,often times I would walk from Makaha to Waianae early in the morning, : in the middle of the road,and not see even one car coming. : I was ten years old,the same age as Jerry Kekahuna.Let me introduce you to Jerry Kekahuna. : Jerry Kekahuna,a young man whose smile would melt your heart.A young man full of promise,hopes and dreams.Jerry was very athletic,won athletic throphys,and was well ilked by all who knew him. : Jerry was considered by most of his pier group as having the potential of becoming a good leader.Like most ten year olds,Jerry was full of fun and fancy free.Jerry reflected in his countinance,his mannerisms,and his deeds : the values of family,truth,honesty,and caring.He had charactor.Jerry was a decendant from a long line of priests and prophets,kings and Queens,alii and makaainana-Kanakamaoli all.His ancestors walked upon the same land,the same roads,he,and I walked on long : before we were born,or were even thought about.From time immemorial. : I am certain young Jerry saw and experienced some of the same things I too saw and experienced while growing up in Makaha.But,auwe,no more.No more because Jerrys walk was abruptly cut short.Too young to leave,I thought,but... : His young life ended on Wed.,Dec.13,1998(On this same date in history,two hundred years ago,the work of building a fleet of Nawaa was commenced.Nawaa was of the class caled Peleleu). : Oh,how I wish I could have been there on that day to call out to young Jerry Kekahuna.To walk with him,and talk with him.Even hold his hand,gaze upon his smile,and hear his sweet words of aloha.Oh,how I wish I could have been there-for him.Even as I sat in my : solitude,thinking about young Jerry,tears began to flow from my eyes. : I asked,why God?why?why?why?Even before my final asking,the answer came in the form of one of the books,in the book of sixty six books.It was the book assigned by the Christian Missionarys that came to HawaiI many,many years ago,to enlighten Naliimenamakaainana. : The book of Kekahuna:1-12(Ecclesiastes or,The Preacher).I had never read this book before,but,now,I read it in its entirety.You see,I was asking for an answer.And because I asked,the answer came.Through my tears,the answer came,almost instantly. : Kekahuna. : Now mind you,I am of the mind that though enlightenments are designed to enlighten,enlightenments are temporary,and fleeting,lasting for only a short time.Its the actions that follow enlightenments that count.How we "walk feet".Which now brings me to the message.Jerry kekahuna was alone in that cross walk that day.But,Jerry was never really alone.Jerry Kekahuna did not die in vain.He left : us with a legacy that was his long before he was born.Jerry carried that legacy around with him,inside of him.He left that legacy with us,the one's still living,to carry on for all time.Jerry lives on,in all of us.Kekahuna:1-12.Pau. : Aloha to Jerrys'parents,Mr.and Mrs.Kekahuna and their ohana.God bless. : Anoaikealoha and Mahalo to Jerry on his journey home.Wanola :

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