My tutu, Lucill Becky Ka'a was born in 1905 and passed in 1990. She married 3 times, and had 5 wahines and 2 kanes from her 1st husband, and a son, George, and a daughter, Georgette from her 2nd. George has kane and wahine, and Georgette never married.
My mom was twin to my Aunty Pua, who had one wahine, and Aunty Maizelette married and had 2 kanes and 2 wahines. My two other aunts died young, Aunty Girlie at 22, and Aunty Ronnadette at 4. Uncle Buddy (Theodore Jr) never married, and Uncle Orlando had 2 kanes and 3 wahines.
And my mom only had me, to which my tutu said that God broke the mold when I was born. Growing up we were a very close ohana, going to church together on Sundays on Vineyard blvd.
After I joined the Army in 1964, I didn't get to visit my family much. I did 3 tours in Vietnam, I stopped at home for a well deserved leave after each tour. I got married in-between my 2nd and 3rd tour. My 1st wife and I divorced after 22 years, for which she gave me 4 sons. I have 7 moopunas, 3 wahines and 4 kanes. And from them I have 3 moopuna nuis, 1 wahine and 2 kanes.
Although I now live in Ohio to be close to my ohana, I don't get to see them all that much anymore. Through technology I am able to watch my ohana grow and prosper.
My tutu lived on Morris Lane off of King St in Kalihi in a quonset hut, until her 2nd husband built a 3 bdrm house. Many fond and fun memories of my family spending time there together still lingers with me. Turu's roses in the front yard with a coconut tree, and a huge mango tree in the back yard.
About Author
Born & raised in Honolulu in 1945. No brothers or sisters. Attended Farrington and Waipahu HS's, class of 1963 (never graduated though). Joined Army 1964, and retired with 20 years in 19993 (9 year break in service). Kanikapila is my passion, kihoalu my forte, uke and guitar. Music was the glue that binded the ohana.
