Chu Man Foo

Aunty Ann (Haliimaile Goo) wrote this eulogy for her sister’s funeral.

EULOGY FOR BEVERLY ANN KAHOAKAKULANI CHU UAHINUI

Our sister Beverly Ann Kahoakakulani Chu, was born on March 7, 1932 here in Kalamaula at Grandma and Grandpa Kaai’s homestead.  Kulani was the second child born to our parents Arthur Chu and Lihue Kaai Chu. Our brother Elmer was already 2 years old, and 3 years after Kulani came Denona, then myself, and lastly, our brother Arthur Kaohulani was born.

While an infant Kulani became hanai to our grandparents, David and Ella Kaai, and it was with them she grew up and made her home.  Kulani was showered with love and attention by not only Grandma and Grandpa, but also by her loving aunts and Uncle Richard who was just 5 years older than Kulani.  It was there she began her lifelong journey as a devout Christian, regularly attending church here at Kala’iakamanu Hou where Grandpa was a lay minister and where Grandma played the organ and led the choir.  They instilled in her strong Christian beliefs and values such as integrity and respect for elders.

With an abundance of love and attention from aunts and uncles, her grandparents, and her natural parents Kulani grew into Kaai family life..  Religion played an important part in the life of the Kaai household.  The family met for “ohana” each morning after breakfast and before daily routines began.  Ohana consisted of prayers, hymns, and with each person present saying a favorite memory verse from the Bible.  Kulani had her favorites, which she could say without hesitation, always proud that she could think of one that someone else had not yet said that morning.  In my case, I often couldn’t speak up quickly and so one by one the verses I knew would be recited by someone else, and I would  have to fall back on “Aloha Ke Akua”, which was always acceptable but was also an indication that you didn’t know enough verses by heart, especially on occasions when lots of family members were present.

Our Grandfather was a teacher at Kaunakakai School, where in earlier years he was the first principal and teacher.  Grandpa was founding principal of Kaunakakai School when it was located where the armory is today.  His own children were among his students, and years later he taught his own grandchildren. David Kaai, dedicated teacher, 1st Molokai Scout Master, a confidant of Molokai Ranch manager George P. Cooke, a founding member of the Molokai Lions Club, and well respected by everyone on the island.  I can only imagine how proud Kulani must have been as she  accompanied him to school each day. Because Grandpa never missed school, Kulani also had perfect attendance.  The only days they missed were those days when the Kalamaula  or Kaunakakai streams flowed so they couldn’t get across.

After eighth grade graduation from Kaunakakai School, Kulani left Molokai to attend Mid-Pacific Institute as a boarding student and graduated with the Class of 1950.  Returning home after graduation from Mid Pacific and a year studying at Remington Business School, she worked as a clerk at the old Corporation Store in Hoolehua, and as a switchboard operator for the Hawaiian Telephone company.

On December 17, 1955, Kulani married Joseph Kiekie Kaahu Uahinui Jr. here at Kala’iakamanu Hou.  The newlyweds lived in Kalamaula, for a time at Grandma and Grandpa’s house and then Tutu Kealoha Uahinui.  They also lived in Kaunakakai on Uahinui property behind the Catholic Church before finally settling in Kalamaula where the family home is today. In 1963 with their young family of 3 children, Crashie, Kaihehau, and Kamakea,  Kulani and “Kiekie” also adopted Tutu Kealoha’s hanai, Yolanda Kealoha and Fred Kiwalao.  In late 1968, the Uahinui family prepared for the arrival of Ekela so Kulani moved to Honolulu and lived several months with Kauanoe in Kapahulu.  Uncle Richard Dole worked and lived nearby at the time and Kulani remembers he would tap on the window on Sunday mornings bringing hot pastries and malasadas from Leonard’s Bakery up the street. Most of my sister’s life, however, was right here in Kalamaula.

Kulani was a housewife and mother.  She caried for her family, serving as cub scout leader and baseball mom for her sons.  She was proud of her children and loved them dearly.  Crashie shared that there were many late nights doing homework that he had forgotten to do earlier, but for Kulani there were no excuses where school work was involved.  She dreamed of having her children attend Kamehameha Schools and in the fall of 1969, she sent her sons, Crashie and Kaihehau of to Kamehameha.  In recent years they were followed by Kamakea’s son Kaleimakalii.  She was so proud when Kalani and Bebe Kamakea graduated from Pearl City High School.

With her sons gone off to school, Kulani with the help of Kamakea, raised Ekela and she saw both of them graduate from Molokai High School.  Kulani believed in the importance of education and encouraged her children to achieve, so it was with tremendous pride that she  proudly attended Kaihehau’s graduation from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, and was pleased that Crashie and Kamakea both studied at the Community Colleges in Honolulu.

Kulani loved children, helping to raise her grandson, Kaleimakaalii as well as Ekela and Cheryl’s niece, Ashley Smith.  Kulani enjoyed being with her extended family of aunties, uncles, cousins and friends.  Whenever there was a gathering or party, Kulani would be there with her husband and children enjoying the talk-story and music.

She served faithfully as  deacon at Kalaiakamanu Hou; she sang in the choir and taught Sunday school.  Kulani sat in the same pew and almost never missed Sunday services until she became ill.  Kulani was involved in church life just as her grandparents had been, so it was routine for her and Kiekie’s family to help at church from the digging of foundations for the Sunday school building to painting the parsonage, decorating  for Sunday services, folding programs and collecting lulu.  This is a legacy she continued from our grandparents, a lesson learned well.

In the late 1990s, at the point where she needed special care, Kulani moved to Honolulu to Saint Francis’ Skilled Nursing Facility.  While there she remained close to her children thru visits from her oldest son Crashie each morning, Monday thru Friday. She enjoyed story-telling as she shared with him stories from the good old days.  Crashie did this for 10 years and in the process he became her advocate, and unofficial CNA, certified nurses aide.  He could assist in making her comfortable, monitor her medications, and feed her when needed. He communicated with doctors and nurses and was never shy about seeing to it that Kulani was well cared for.  Kulani looked forward to speaking on the phone to Kaihehau every Monday when he called her from his home in Spokane.  She’d keep me updated as his summer visit drew near. She also received frequent phone calls from Ekela, which brought her joy and lots of Molokai news.  She looked forward to visits from her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and Molokai family and friends who came by.  On Sundays that I visited, she always was pleased to tell me about happenings with family, friends and general Molokai news.  She was  interested in what was going on back home and through her phone calls and visitors she could fill me in on lots of Molokai news.  She enjoyed receiving the Kala’iakamanu Hou Church Bulletins, and looked forward to visits from UCC ministers in Honolulu. Nurses and staff at St. Francis always found Kulani to be a pleasant patient, humming church hymns and reciting verses, always willing to share her candy and Cheetos with the staff.

>From the day she moved to St. Francis, her life was in the Lord’s hands and though she had many health issues, she always thought of others and fondly asked about the children in her life.  In her last days, she was comforted by having her family near, enjoying the sounds of her youngest great grandson, Kaulana laughing and playing.

Crashie, shared that Kulani was the family rock, their guiding light throughout the years always giving wholehearted  support to all their endeavors.  Her children, Crashie, Fat, Kamakea, and Ekela, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she loved them all.

Kulani has finally come home to Molokai.  So today we celebrate her life in this church which played such a significant role throughout her time here on earth.  Like the birds of long ago that gave Kala’iakamanu its name, “the place where birds come to rest,” now Kulani, like those birds of long ago, returns to rest and find peace in this place, this house of the Lord, Kala’iakamanu Hou.

Words of remembrance offered with love to my sister Kulani’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ann

August 1, 2009

*I didn’t include this information about the name Kahoakakulani and Kahaieuanelio because I thought the eulogy might become too long, however, I share it here because these names are being given to Kaai keiki today and you may not know how they came about.

Our Great Grandfather the Reverend David Kaai Sr. who served churches on Molokai including Siloama in Kalaupapa, gave my mother Lihue the name Kahoakakulani to commemorate his mission to spread the gospel aboard the Morning Star on a voyage to the Marquesas.  Lihue was the 1st borne child of David and Ella Kaai; her brother Sam was 2nd to be born and he received a name also related to this event.

Great Grandpa was told through a dream that he should spread the gospel.  Kahoakakulani refers to the “heaven-like vision” he had that told him what he needed to do.  This name and Kahaieuanelio given to the 2nd child, Uncle Sam, memorialize the Rev. Kaai’s vision.  Kahaieuanelio means to “spread the gospel, the good news.”