Da Perfec` Time of Day!“The primal duties shine aloft, like stars;
The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless
Are scattered at the feet of Man, like flowers.”
William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth
Cyril Pahinui & Aunty Mo`okini“It is up to us to live up to the legacy that was left for us, and to leave a legacy that is worthy of our children and of future generations.”
Christine Gregoire
Ben Ka`ili"We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies."
Shirley Abbott
Seniors dancing Hula"It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons."
Johann Schiller
Pau Hana means "after work" time.
Today it mostly means "happy hour" but we still say: "I'll meet you pau hana" and another local person knows what we mean.
Yesterday sure was a day of work, even if most of the heavy lifting was emotional. My Dad was released from Queen's hospital to hospice-at-home care here in Waikiki. My job was to keep my mom from losing it, and to drive multiple errands at inconvenient times. Let's just say that it was hectic and leave it at that, OK?
Secretly, I hoped to make it to Cyril Pahinui's pau hana birthday gig at Kanikapila Grill at the Outrigger Reef Hotel. Gabby, or "Pops" as everyone called him, was Cyril's father and a giant of Hawaiian music. His ki ho`alu (slack key) guitar stylings, and his unique -but deeply Hawaiian- vocal style preserved and inspired to such a degree that it would be impossible to imagine our musical legacy without him. Cyril, a great artist in his own right, has a new Grammy nominated CD He`eia. I know there would be old timers, great music, and tons of authenticity if I could just make it there. I wasn't disappointed!
As the sky mellowed to dusk I happily found myself in a miraculous little remnant of sweeter times. It felt like a back yard jam, and all the Kupuna (seniors) were there; how I love their rare Hawaiian faces!
The Nahe Nahe (sweet, melodious, soft, gentle) sounds of guitar, ukulele, and beguiling lyrics in the Hawiian tongue worked the old healing magic on me as they always do. I was positively oozing well-being by the second song. Surely, this is what the angels listen to at home.
You no need be young or thin to dance Hula. And when da Kupuna get up to dance, everything crystallizes in an exquisite Manawa Kolu, an everlasting "Now" of perfection. Everything shines then with beautifully felt meaning, and gratitude surges like the eternal surf only steps away.
I knew that I was going to hear wonderful music, but discovered an unexpected vein of pure gold when Ben Ka`ili and Bruddah (Brother) Ocean got up to play and sing for the first time in Waikiki. They have a regular weekend gig at the Emerald Orchid on the Big Island and sure brought the "good stuff" here to da city with them! Their guitars rang out filling young and old with delight.
Ho! Good times!
There are links below to take you to a few selected videos of beloved Hawaiian songs and performers. Take a few minutes to just savor
the A L O H A! Cloudia
Dennis Pavao sings Holei about Kalapana on the Big Island of Hawaii. My niece was born there:
Gabby sings da classic Hi`ilawe:
Dennis Pavao sings Ka Manu ("the bird")
Cyril's Website:
19 comments:
Cool after wrok !
Very beautiful sky, once more.
I love the Hawaïan music.
You sound to live in such a beautiful place Cloudia - but we all have the same worries, don't we. Hope your Dad is comfortable and that your Mum is coping with it all.
I have forgotten, Aloha, Cloudia !
Cloudia,
I wish you and your parents strength and peace.
Thanks for making my morning perfect. I need the lessons you teach--particularly when my batteries are as weak as they are today.
What a joyous place :)
Detailed Leaf Structure
And Aloha :)
Bedse Caves
It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons."
What about "Mothers and Daughters"?
I am glad your dad is home again.
Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend!
The best way to escape the hectic is to be a rock in the ocean, let the waves break upon you knowing there is little that they have done in thousands of years to diminish your strength.
Good tunes.
I hope you and your parents have the strength it takes.
It is a nice post with the photos.
Living in such a wonderful place, so different from the places I have lived, you might enjoy a look at The Hamlet of Gordon, Ohio. It is how small hamlets used to be and this one still exists.
The Hamlet of Gordon
What a beautiful post. I'm so sorry about your dad.
Hope all goes as easily as it possibly can for your dad, your mum and you. Difficult times, to be sure.
As a daughter/caregiver, I've been there, Cloudia! I hope my book helps. There are some things I learned, and mostly you have to advocate.
I have finished yours, and I just adore it! I posted a review, as it is an amazing book!
I know, from your writing, that your spirit will cope with anything you have to do with/for your folks. Having just taken the hospice care course, I know that all you need to do is be yourself.
Warmest regards...
Wonderful post! I'm gonna go make some coffee and come back to those links!
I'm keeping your Dad in my prayers Cloudia and sending him Reiki. x
Thank you EACH, my friends!
Walking Man: How did you know that a piece of my soul is a rock on a beach in another dimension?!
Peaceful, as you describe.
Uncanny!
Aloha to all of us!!
As we live and experience one another in one place it is unavoidable not to visit all the rooms of the house eventually Cloudia...it is the nature of a guest to roam the villa and see their host as their host sees their own self.
Love it. And I hope you are all doing okay. Hugs.
Walking Man: :-0
Gran: ;-)
Keeping your dad in my thoughts and prayers. And your mom, and you.
What joyful music! Very touching to the soul.
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