Sunday, December 23, 2012

Deep Aloha Daniel Inouye, Son of the Islands

A L O H A !

It's Been a tough week.

 Of course, the holidays are what they are.
Then the intolerable evil in Connecticut.  
Such shared, deep grief.  .  .

But then we in Hawaii 
suffered an unprecedented hurt,
somehow a very personal one, 
on deep and shallow levels.

 I can remember no shared,
 genuinely shared, grief
 like this passing of a
 giant leader,
 hero,
 beloved son of these islands.

The mood reminds me
of JFK's assassination
all those years ago.
Hawaii is in shock.



For most of us
he has ALWAYS
been with us,
protecting us.

Watching average Hawaii folks
 wait in line, 
to file past his flag draped coffin
 for 7 hours Saturday night,
was really moving.


Dignitaries, like these Hawaiians of
Royal Societies
 pay respects to an honorary member
and friend.


When tall soldiers moved the coffin
out of the State Capitol
at midnight
over 100 citizens
still waited in line
to pay their
respects.

Watching the preparations
for his Sunday funeral
from my window
[over in the national cemetery
 at Punchbowl Crater]
I feel a loss, an emptiness larger
 than one family's loss. 


National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
[ LINK ]
[ shot from my window ]


Hawaii feels hollow,
uncertain today. 









Crack of 19 cannons in salute,
one less than a
president gets.
 I shot the smoke
rising. . . . 


Since statehood 
till this month,
was the Dan era.

This must have been
what it was like
back in earlier times
when
 a much loved king
passed into
history.


Missing Man Formation

After the ceremony,
President Obama & Michelle
visited the grave of 
Stanley Dunham,
Barack's grandfather
who helped to raise 
our President.
Mr. Dunham was
a WWII veteran
like Dan Inouye.
Several of Uncle Dan's
wartime comrades
attended.






mmmmmmmmmm

21 comments:

rupam sarma said...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family and all readers of your blog.
Greetings from India

Love & Regards

TexWisGirl said...

i am sorry for the loss of your state leader. obviously a great man.

Cloudia said...

Thank You!

Steffi said...

I am sorry to read abour the loss of your state leader!

Merry christmas to you & your family,Cloudia!

Unknown said...

Oh Danny Boy is such a fitting song for a man who was more than a hero and a protective shield for his constituents. The loss of Senator Inouye was more than a loss to Hawaii but to the nation and the world.

May he rest comfortable and and sleep well and deeply in the house of his ancestors until it is time for his rebirth in the place of eternity where he will surely sit among the greatest of all humans.

I can only equate him with the passing of the likes of three letter men, MLK, RFK, and others who did right even though they knew it might cost them dearly.

The nation most of which never knew his name or history has suffered as great a loss as Hawaii but most do not know it yet.

May you all remember what was reported as his final word. Aloha.

and Senator mahalo from a grateful world for not being discouraged and turning hateful when they first declared you an enemy of the state. I think it ironic that by the end of that horrible war generals of every flag rank had to salute you as an American hero.

From a lowly e-4 to you sir I offer my thanks in helping break down the racial barrier of the military which eventually helped to start to break down the racial barrier of the nation.

May another rise up in your place with the same sense of honor and courage. Peace to you sir.

magiceye said...

Heartfelt condolences to all bereaved.
May his soul rest in peace,

Namaste /\ from Mumbai
Aloha

Anonymous said...

Sincerest condolences to you, Cloudia, your fellow Hawaiians, and to the rest of the USA on the passing of this great man.

Love and hugs, Kellie T.

Krishna/കൃഷ്ണ said...

Deepest condolences...

happy xmas and newyear

thanks for sharing

Cloudia said...

Thank You for these!

Joop Zand said...

MY CONDOLENCES

WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CRISTMAS CLOUDIA.

GREETINGS, JOOP

christopher said...

A tough week indeed.

Another great loss.

Elephant's Child said...

I am so sorry for your loss. Though this and earlier posts you have introduced him to all of us - and I am not surprised that his loss leaves a gaping hole.
Sending love your way.

Anonymous said...

So sorry for the grieving people of Hawaii. Mr. Inouye's story is so amazing! I watched the live stream on my computer of the DC and Punchbowl services. Loved Obama's boyhood perspective. Too many tears when I heard his secretary/Chief of Staff tell her stories, and "Aloha, Boss." He protected the Islands until he was gently worn out, and when he knew his people could carry on future battles.
I heard a person with the Royal Hawaiian Societies say his coffin would have his feather cape, as an honorary member, and then be removed to give to family.
A beautiful Hawaiian King, no matter the technical politics.
Aloha, he is resting among the clouds and all those rainbows! DrumMajor

PerthDailyPhoto said...

A beautiful tribute Cloudia, i'm sure he enjoyed every word from up high. Have a wonderful ( don't be too sad) Christmas, take care.

Cloudia said...

Thanks each of You! Very much

Teresa said...

Thanks for writing this. It is beautiful.

Cloudia said...

Shi shi, T

LOLfromPasa said...

Touched. You are a wonderful Ambassador. Sometimes you share sad news as is this but the message you deliver is always so touching.

Cloudia said...

Thanks for the lovely gift you've just given me!

Kay said...

We heard the fly by on our side of the island and wished we could have been there. Daniel Inouye was one of a kind. I can't imagine what it will be like without him watching over us.

Cloudia said...

Together, we are about to find out. Imua