Dirge, tears mark Brandt vigil
By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer
Caped mourners, members of the benevolent society Hale o Na Ali'i, lined the driveway into Kawaiaha'o Church last night, crossing arms across their chests as the white limousine pulled in.
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Their president, Hailama Farden, began a kanikau, a dirge that he composed in honor of the late Gladys Kamakakuokalani 'Ainoa Brandt, a ranking officer of the society and bright light of the Hawaiian community.
Alyssa Braffith stands near the entrance to the Kawaiaha'o Church grounds awaiting the arrival of the urn during services held for Hawaiian advocate Gladys Kamakakuokalani 'Ainoa Brandt, who died Jan. 15 at age 96.
Unless the listener understood Hawaiian, the only elements to be discerned may have been a single mournful intonation, the words "Auntie Gladys," and the tears he didn't try to suppress as he chanted.
The car door opened. Family members emerged with the urn, walking past two pairs of feather kahili, two black standards and two white, that dipped as they passed.
The society members then took positions by the urn, the kahili again tipped toward it. So began a 24-hour vigil, a funeral rite once expected for someone of ali'i class, as Brandt was, but a ceremony rarely practiced today.
Strict adherence to tradition would have meant admitting only the family for the vigil's first hour, Farden said, but it was decided to let in friends after a private mourning period of about 15 minutes.
• The funeral service for Gladys Kamakakuokalani 'Ainoa Brandt begins at 6 p.m. tonight at Kawaiaha'o Church.
"So we open the door," he said. "That's how Auntie Gladys was, anyway."
Inside, about 60 members of the society took the pews behind the family. The society was founded by Kalakaua, originally named Hale Naua, which, like other such societies, went underground after the monarchy's overthrow.
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When it was reorganized by the Kawananakoa family, whom Kalakaua designated as successors to the throne, the society took a new name, Farden said. Brandt held the position of iku nahalani, or regent's representative and adviser, the highest rank below that of the Kawananakoas, he said.
David Wichman, grandson of Gladys Kamakakuokalani 'Ainoa Brandt, bears the urn. His mother and father, Lorita and Bruce Wichman, walk alongside.
"Her mother was president of the Honolulu chapter for 25 years," Farden said. "What's sad is it would have been beautiful if her mother had known her daughter outranked her."
Earlier yesterday, the University of Hawai'i's Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies held a memorial tribute and celebration of hula in honor of Brandt.
At the church musical tributes were provided by well-known entertainers: Mahi Beamer on the piano, Nina Keali'iwahamana, Robert Cazimero and Sunbeam Beamer as solo vocalists. Kumu hula Manu Boyd conducted his dancers in a choral performance.
Society members paid respects, donning white gloves before approaching the urn in small groups. Someone will be on duty until the funeral service begins at 6 tonight, Farden said.
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"I got a lot of calls from 80- and 90-year-olds saying they're coming at midnight," he said. "I said, 'Oh, no, Auntie, not you — it's for the younger ones.' But they said they would be here."
Members of Ahahui Ale O Na Ali'i O Hawai'i, Hale O Na'ali'i, and family and friends await the arrival of the Brandt family yesterday at Kawaiaha'o Church.
One member, 80-year-old Gail Gomard, was urged to set off early on the drive home to Kane'ohe. She balked.
"They're making me leave, because of a cane," she said with mild disgust, indicating her walking aid. "I don't want to go. I adored her."
"The way I see it," Gomard concluded, "she shouldn't have died, because she had a lot more to give."
Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053.
