Honorable Mention
200 a small reunion for Kauaua family
By Kapono Dowson
Advertiser staff writer
When Kauaua family members get together, their numbers are impressive. Their reunions have met on three islands — O'ahu, Maui, Hawai'i — with as many as 1,500 to 2,000 family members attending.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
But it is the way they reach out to each other, one on one, that weaves them tightly together.
At the recent family gathering, Herbert Warner, right, shares some family history with couple Renwick "Uncle Joe" Tassill and June Tassill.
A tribute to Cecilia Hatsumi Naganuma Freeman recently brought 200 of them together at the Kalihi YMCA. Freeman, who died in 1990, had organized their first family reunion 25 years ago at Kahe Point on O'ahu, said her granddaughter Elizabeth Ahana.
Freeman, along with other kupuna in the 'ohana, used family stories and records at the state archives, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints archives at La'ie, the Mission Houses and Bishop Museum to trace family blood lines. They followed the clan's genealogy back to the late 1760s, when Kaleo-puupuu-aa-kauaua married Kaui-o-kalani-naleimaumau Kana'e. The couple had four daughters and a son, whose descendants now number more than 5,000, said Chris Ann Apo, president of 'Ohana Kauaua.
Keeping track of a family that large is quite a task in this society where independence and individualism are highly valued and short roots the norm. 'Ohana members have met once a month for more than 25 years to plan activities, events and the major reunions held every two years, rotating from island to island.
More incredible is how the younger generations among the 'Ohana Kauaua have caught the vision. The family used the Freeman event last month as a chance to catch up, share stories and encourage the younger generation to carry on family traditions.
Under a big tent in the parking area of the Kalihi YMCA, senior Hawaiian men of 'Ohana Kauaua sat with their scrapbooks of genealogy charts, birth certificates and old pictures. Wearing the family's 'ilima-colored shirts, the kupuna shared information with young ones. They talked story with each other and reminisced about people who had died.
In quiet awe, Marcus James Keawenui Kekumu, 26, listened intently. His long, braided hair hung through the back of his black baseball cap. A multi-strand sandalwood bead lei draped across the front of his light-blue aloha shirt. His eyes opened wide as he studied genealogy charts. There was a difference of more than 50 years between the young man and his kupuna.
"The mana that flows through this family is part of who I am, makes me who I am today," said Kekumu, who says it's important to make — and keep — the connection. "I get from the older ones who my grandfather is and the things he did."
The kupuna, aware of the shortness of their time and the importance of the family, tried to encourage the younger generations to get active with the group. Concerned the young ones were not hearing their urgency, senior family members reminded the family to attend the monthly meetings, and even scolded a little.
"We need to make this 'ohana last and get the children involved," Herbert Warner, 78 and a past president of the group, said fervently in a speech to the family.
Silver-haired Aunty Thelma Chock, 80, in her yellow raincoat and purple orchid-ti-leaf lei, had her own way of strengthening family bonds.
She, with other aunties, gave out lei at registration. They had handcrafted hundreds of aloha fabric flowers and neck lanyards as favors. The women greeted and kissed whoever came to the table. The early-evening rain smeared some of the names on the list, but the women knew who was who, kissing and hugging with genuine affection and gladness to see each other again.
Many in this family can rattle off the names in their blood lines the way others count to 10.
On the rare occasions when they didn't recognize someone, they asked gently but with determination, "And who are you?" When the connection had been established, they would hug the "new" member warmly. By the end of the evening, these new members were no longer new, having been kissed, hugged and greeted many times.
Keoni Guillermo, 21, a Marine back from Japan for a short vacation, was honored to be at the 'ohana event. He helped direct traffic and parking with other young relatives. While away on duty, he said, he missed everyone and really learned to appreciate family. For him, seeing all the people helped him to reconnect. He said it was good to see familiar and new faces.
The members sang their family song as the program began: "We're proud to be a part of this old family line. We learn to love, to share abroad and gather from afar. Our hearts are linked together, our lips are sealed forever, because we are beloved, 'ohana of Kauaua."
"The kupuna, they're the significant ones in the families," said Kalei 'Uweko'olani, a 20- year-old student studying secondary education and Hawaiian studies at Maui Community College, said appreciatively. She flew in from Maui for the event. For her, the stories helped her to understand her roots. "We know why we cry over them when they're dead," she said. "But more important, we can cherish them when they're here."
Jerry Freeman, son of Cecilia Freeman and a past president of the clan association, said all they could do was expose their young people to their family through events such as his mother's tribute and the reunions so they understand the value of knowing their family.
In her closing pule, Kahu Meilani McComber prayed the kupuna's values of love, sharing and family would be passed on and the 'ohana continued.
People were sent out to the kitchen, to the parking lot, to the tent to gather everyone back into the hall. No one was left behind. Crowded into the small hall, everyone joined hands and sang "Hawai'i E Aloha." Tears welled up in the kupuna's eyes as they looked about the sea of faces. Light, young voices joined in the song.
Irene Chang-wo, 81, grinned and hugged people as they left. "I just come to enjoy my 'ohana," she said.
