Happy Father's Day

Obviously, I've not yet given tribute to my father for Father's Day...


I wish I had pictures from when I was younger... There are definitely many fond memories I have of my dad. I'll see if I can pen a few of them here.

I grew up travelling to various places around the world because I was blessed to be born to a United States Marine Corp Soldier. Yes, my father, a man whose blood runs deep with the spirit of the land, or the people of Hawai'i, whose own ancestors protected others including a former king of Kaua'i. My father, Kealohanui, is a wonderful man. He may not be tall in stature but a man who has a life that's been lived working for his family and doing his best to provide for us.

A fond memories I have of my father are as follows:

North Carolina:
- When I was in grade 1, I remember we lived on base at Camp Lejeune, NC and I was heading out to school. My hair was a little wet and for some reason, I don't know why my mom didn't do my hair that day, but my dad did. I remember he brushed my long hair very tenderly and even braided it. The thought of not having my hair braided tight like mom did it kind of annoyed me then, but now, it's a great memory.

- Daddy daughter Valentine's date in NC. I was in primary and my dad and me went to our church building to attend the Daddy/daughter dinner/dance. I don't remember the dinner but I remember the dance. My dad took me and put me on his toes and we danced. Don't know who else were around, except I do remember me dancing with my father.

- When my dad would come home at night, I remember that he would let my brothers and me take off his military boots and his socks as well. They were our way of helping dad and welcoming him home.

- Our first Microwave! One day, my mom bought a microwave. Dad came home and said, "Hey, what's that TV doing on the counter?"

Okinawa
- Oh, lovely Okinawa. How I miss it. I remember we were at the markets and buying things and I wanted to get something. Well, my dad told me that if I wanted it, I had to ask how much it was... in Japanese. Need-less-to-say, I picked up a bit of Japanese from my dad's example.

- A & W. A&W was the special place to go when we lived in Okinawa. I remember the winding road going downhill to this land of ice cream and root beer and breaking ever so gently as it arrived on our left. Then, there were the gentle comment of "don't tell mom".

- Stone stilt house. We lived off base in a very large stone stilt house with all our living on one level with stairs that led to the top of the roof. That was the Christmas that was always the best. The simplest, the poorest, the true meaning of Christmas. It really doesn't have to do with something specific that my dad did, but the fact that we were all together, very poor, but the happiest I think our family ever was.

Phillipines
- When we were in the Phillipines, I remember seeing my dad outside with a young boy. Come to find out, the little boy pick-pocketed and my dad caught him. I think my dad gave him some money, but taught him that steeling was wrong.

Kaua'i
- Lots of great memories here. One of my favorites, which may seem a bit twisted, was actually one that my dad ran outside with a gun. Here's the story: we were living with my Tutu Lady for a little bit, in Kilauea, and it was night. There was kalo on the stove for a late night snack we were going to have. My dad told us to get down and close the lights. He told us to be quiet.... "BANG", a shot rang out. I've never seen my father go to his room, unlock his steel case, assemble his gun, load it and go out the door as fast as I witnessed that night. You see, the neighbor shot my grandmother's cat. Of course I ran outside with my father crying after him not to shoot anyone! (Now you know where I get it from, eh?) Anyway, I thought that was a great memory. Always ready to protect and defend the family.

- Work. My dad was privileged to work at various areas that allowed me to go to work with him often. When he worked at the food bank, I loved working with him. Not to mention, the food was great during lunch. Then there was the construction job that he had at the Princeville Hotel... During the summer I got to go to work with him, again, and loved swimming in the pool for hours. THEN, for lunch, I was able to eat all the butterfly shrimp I wanted. DIVINE!

Character:
More than anything, I think the character of a person says more than the amount of money one has in a bank account, or the number of metals placed on his chest. My father is a man of sacrifice and honor. He does his best to provide and bring honor to his family and usually sacrifices much to do so. If he can help, he does.

My brothers and I are truly blessed to have a great dad, father, oba-chan, papa-san, papa monkey and all of the above.

Happy Father's Day, dad.