ON Saturday morning, I was feeling quite pleased with myself. Got up early. Drove down to the campus of St. Andrew's Priory, which was hosting its annual Hoolaulea fund-raising fair. Set up and sold cookies, pies, cakes and mochi in the bake shop tent. A mom shows
true meaning of sacrificeAs I interacted with smiling customers -- taking scrip in exchange for sugar-laden treats -- I congratulated myself for such "self-sacrifice" on a sunny Saturday. Was I a good parent or what? Wouldn't my daughter be so proud of me for helping her school this way?
Then I snapped out of it. Humility and realism returned, as did embarrassment.
My measly contribution of (wo)manpower was the least I could do, considering all of the parents, teachers and administrators who had baked for hours to supply all of these goodies in the first place.
And what about the coordinators who had planned for months to make this entire fund-raiser a success? They certainly deserved more praise and appreciation than I did.
But even their selfless efforts paled in comparison to what Elaine Faumuina of Palolo has given this community over the past few days. In the wake of a horrific fire last Wednesday that took the lives of seven members of her family, this dignified woman has shown that inordinate love can overcome even the most intolerable trauma.
Early Wednesday morning, a blaze destroyed the home at 1816 G Palolo Ave., killing Mrs. Faumuina's husband, son, daughter, son-in-law, and three young grandchildren. The matriarch of the family and her 16-year-old son, Ulutunu Jr., were the only survivors.
On Thursday, with bandages wrapped around her feet, Mrs. Faumuina made an appearance at a news conference at Kaiser Medical Center to thank the people of Hawaii for their monetary and moral support.
She reminisced about her loved ones, including her husband of 27 years, and painfully recalled the last words she heard from the burning house: "Mommy, the children!" and "Elaine, the children!"
Mrs. Faumuina admitted that, while recuperating in the hospital, she had wished that the fire had taken her, too. At times, the grief seemed unbearable.
Then she realized that there were others to be strong for, especially Ulu Jr. So on Friday night, while in considerable pain, she went down to Aloha Stadium to watch her youngest son take the field with the rest of the Kaimuki High School football team, which had dedicated the game to the Faumuina family.
Then, at the end of night and still in his Bulldog uniform, Ulu Jr. went over to the sidelines. With the bright lights of the TV cameras spotlighting the moment, Mrs. Faumuina presented a lei and held him tight. They hugged for a long time.
With all of Hawaii watching, this mother had given her boy the greatest gift of all: the message that she was there for him.
UNCONDITIONAL love is the strongest bond in life. Despite many stories about child abuse and neglect, the opposite is a joy to behold. We don't see it enough in a society that tends to highlight the aberrations.
Thank goodness, then, for Elaine Faumuina. Her inner strength and public courage has reminded us all that caring for someone else can elevate you above the ashes of even the most ghastly catastrophes.
It can make you stronger than you ever thought was possible. And self-congratulations is the very last thing on the agenda.
Sat., Oct. 18, 1997 HOW many women does it take to change the chair of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs? Five -- and their names are Frenchy, Haunani, Billie, Colette and Hannah. That's no joke, by the way. Well, at least former OHA Chairman Clayton Hee isn't laughing.
Ouster at OHA
is positive stepEarlier this week, an all-wahine majority staged a significant power shift at the office. Frenchy DeSoto, the mother of Honolulu City Council Chairman John DeSoto, is now the chairwoman of the Hawaiian decision-making entity, while Haunani Apoliona will serve as vice chairwoman. Others holding key leadership assignments are trustees Billie Beamer, Hannah Springer and Colette Machado.
With all of the bad news in the past few days -- including a deadly fire in Palolo and the death of little Alana Dung -- the OHA reorganization is a rare upbeat tale. For too long, Hee has arrogantly run the board like his little fiefdom. After his ouster, he stomped out of the meeting with his supporters. Hee continues to pout to this day.
That's OK, because this new majority knows how to deal with pouting keiki. These women have vowed to stay focused on their mission to bring a renewed sense of cooperation and inclusion to the matters before the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Guess you could say it's no longer a one-man show.