Elepaio Street, Kahala located on the island of Oahu, “the gathering place” is where my great grandmother Mariah Gardener Kealoha resided. The Hawaiians or “sea wanderers” is the lineage of my family born from Hawaiian navigators. Ancient oral history depicted in the Hawaiian Creation Chant - The Kumulipo gives birth to “Elepaio Hanau ka Akekeke ka makua. Puka kana keiki he Elepaio, lele. Elepaio” is the heart and soul of Hawaii. Elepaio is a type of taro plant. Taro is the staff of life of the Polynesians. From the taro planted and harvested in one year’s time brings forth life enabling families and communities to survive. Two traditions come together bringing balance and life are the land and the sea. The kalo farmer, mahi’ai, and the fisherman, lawai’a. Kahala precious, coveted, royal lands gifted to Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop by Princess Ruth Ke’elikolani, daughter of King Kamehameha the Great. Kahala to Hawaiians means “the past”. Known to Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop her legacy and investment in her people provides pathways for her descendants to seize time in the present and “future”. The Kahala of her day in the 1880s was mostly taro fields. Grandpa Joseph G. Kealoha, Sr. or “Seaweed” was one of Mariah’s sixteen children born to her and her husband Enoka Kealoha. Enoka means “Enoch” in Hawaiian. Enoch walked with God and was not because God took him to heaven (Genesis 5:24). Joseph G. Kealoha, Sr. married a pure Chinese woman named Jenny Young. My earliest memories of my grandmother spoke Cantonese when she ordered our meal at “Tin Tin” restaurant in China Town, Honolulu. Out of the kitchen came our favorite lunch Tin Tin’s cake noodle. Cake noodle is a type of chow mein typical to Cantonese cooking. St. Theresa’s Catholic school is situated near grandmother’s house and her favorite food shopping spot - China Town of Honolulu. Born to Joseph G. Kealoha and Jenny Young were their firstborn son, Joseph G. Kealoha, Jr., Ellen, “Rookie” or Ernest Douglas, Alden Kalikolehua, Jennifer, George, and Gardener Alapa’i Keolaokalani seven children. Joseph G. Kealoha, Sr. retired U.S. Army Colonel, fought in World War II. Grandpa Joseph worked for the FAA travelled throughout the Hawaiian Islands and other U.S. territories. He collected driftwood from his travels to Midway and Wake Islands. Grandpa Joseph had many hobbies. His favorite hobby was Hawaiian music. Fondly, he is remembered for his skill for playing the piano, ‘ukulele, and slack key guitar. Gathered around Grandpa Joseph on the weekends were his friends the Lymana’s, and the Tamanaha’s they would sing “O Makalapua”. Grandpa Joseph excelled at Japanese floral arrangements. Grandpa Joseph’s sister Marion Kealoha was skilled also at the piano entertained at the Tahitian Lanai near the ‘Ilikai Hotel and Kobe Steak House on Ala Moan Boulevard. Joseph G. Kealoha, Jr. the eldest son born to Joseph and Jenny Kealoha was nicknamed “Papoose” at birth because his face was red like an Native American Indian. “Uncle Papoose.” His nieces and nephews called him. Joseph G. Kealoha, Jr. had a fair complexion and ‘ehu hair. Sometimes pure Hawaiians from the ruling class were noted to be fair with ‘ehu hair having hair color lightened with natural red highlights. Princess Pauahi’s father Abner Paki was a handsome tall Hawaiian man with fair complexion and ruddy ‘ehu hair. Son number two was born after Ellen, a daughter who is the second child. Grandpa Joe named his son “Seaweed” after himself. Because Grandpa Joe fought in World War II, he gave his second son another nickname, “Rookie” meaning the new recruit. Ernest Douglas they named their new son. Ernest entered the Kamehameha Schools from kindergarten. Looking upon Ernest kindergarten photo in the Kamehameha Schools yearbook he is standing beside Molly Espinda. Unbeknownst to Ernest and Molly they would meet again during their high school years.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:41:15 +0000
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