There's Still Time for Vegas!

If you are still thinking about attending the "All Kamehameha Reunion" in Las Vegas, there's still time to register. Go to this link and download the registration form. There is also more information on the activities planned. Registration deadline is September 30.

http://alumni.ksbe.edu/alumni/ksaa/intermountainregion.php

KS72 Classmates who will be attending: Sue Peterson, Debbie Lau Okamura, Monica Yim Takashima, Lowell Deering, Betty Yap Lau, Joe Smith and Laureen Kim

Highlights of George's Service

Highlights of George's Service

Tommy Young (George's brother) and John Osorio delievered stirring eulogies. George and his family were welcomed at Kamakakuokalani with a chant of mourning.

Many people shared stories on how George helped or inspired them. Albert Kaai sang "Pili Kau", an original song composed by George.

Joanne Makalena representing our class by chanting George's oli "He Po La'i". Merri Bea Lake sang 2 songs accompanied by Issac Akuna and Albert Kaai.

Even though George has gone....he brought us together :-)

Those that came...

Lois Wise
Sue Peterson
Debbie and Brian Okamura
Peter and Terry Gonsalves
Dan Kalili
Laureen Kim
Butchie Lee and Glen Merchant
Joanne Makalena Takatsugi
Mary Bea Lake
Rodney Bayne
John Leong
Richard Holloway
Albert and Mahina Kaai
Issac Akuna
Roland Chang
Alika Atay
Wendall Titcomb
Joe Doughty
Leonard Batungbacal
Ernie and Luana Akana
George and Crystal Costa
David Osorio
Gerard Akaka
George Seymour
Jeannie Bellefeuile Holi
Rolland Harvest
Venus Head Colon
Pauahi Colburn
Karynne Morgan Chong
Joey Akeo
Debbie Sanborn
Renae and Bill Villa
Barbara and Tom Orrell
BJ Tang
Verne Santos
Llewlynn Biven
Skippy Lopes
Edwina Kalahiki

A Correction.......

Benny's birthday is Wednesday...the 24th! On Thursday he will be 84 years and 1 day old!

He probably won't tell you....

Benson Medina's birthday is this Thursday, September 24th. He will be 84 Years Old.

a ride on the Hokule'a

Kanalu had always wanted to sail on the Hokule'a, but his physical limitations and timing issues always seemed to get in the way. Sunday evening he took his ride along with members of the Young Ohana and people from Kamakakuolani who were close to him. A big mahalo to Nainoa Thompson for offering this opportunity to the Young Ohana and to the Hokule'a crew for making it a reality. - Peter

Kamakakuokalani 9/13/08 a 'Celebration of Life'

Terry & I along with Victor would like to thank all of you who donated funds and your kokua towards the food prepared for our brother Kanalu's Funeral Service @St. Mark's Church and his 'Celebration of Life' at Kamakakuokalani (photos)...

Tommy Young, Bimo Akiona, Lori Thompson-Weeks, Verne Santos, Butchie Lee & Glenn Merchant, Lois Wise, Rodney Bayne, Debbie & Brian Okamura, Marie Quintica-Cuomo, Joe Souza, Gerard & Belinda Akaka, Mary & Kimo Bacon, Jo Ann Lum, BJ Tang, Pauahi Akuna, Venus Colon, Sue Peterson, Joanne Makalena, Laureen Kim, Earl Hoke, Dan Kalili, Richard Holloway, Roland Chang, John Leong, Ernie & Luana Akana, Wendell Titcomb, Alika Atay, George & Chrystal Costa, Jeannine Holi & Joe D. I would also like to thank Victor's cousin Kekau and his wife Al for the use of their home in Kapahulu as a site for food preparation and the kokua from their entire ohana... much Mahalo! e kala mai if I have overlooked anyone, it was one of Victor's 24 hour blitzes from 4pm Friday to 4pm yesterday. The bottom line... with your kind donations, along with funds donated from Kamakakuokalani (Jon Osorio, Pua Santos, Tino Ramirez, and others) we were able to provide a healthy spread for (500+) at a cost of about $1 per head to the Young Ohana. Mahalo Nui!

Lastly, I would like to thank Jon Osorio, Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa and everyone at the Center for Hawaiian Studies for providing Kamakakuokalani as a venue as well as the proper Protocol for Kanalu's 'Celebration of Life'

- Peter Gonsalves

Parking information for George Young's church mass: Limited parking is available in the lot across the street from St. Mark's Church - $2 flat rate will be given if you tell the attendant that you are attending the Young funeral at the church.
George's family is deeply touched by all of the comments and well wishes from our class. Mahalo!

More on George Young

This email from Gary Okada:

Aloha Everyone:

I have been out of touch for a long timeI have just returned home from a long stay, since July (working) at the Kalaupapa Settlement on Molokai.I was very saddened to read about George. The last time I saw him was in 2000 at Ala Moana. I remember him yelling across the lobby out loud going "hey hey Gary, you remember me ? I laughed and said how could anyone not remember you. We talked a while and he had that big unforgetfull smile on his face. Just last year I emailed mysteriously to "Kanalu" on our email list, and I asked, who are you ? As I honestly did not know that was George's Hawaiian name, DUH...........The response I got was a big laugh and who do you think this is Gary ??? Its me GEORGE..........We laughed, talked a bit and I wished him well.I shared with him an incident that happened to my son at the wall where George had gotten injured and I told George that my son got off lucky and had only a partial paralysis and in time he had gotten most of his sensory feeling back. I told George that I could not know the pain he had to endure and the frustration of not being able to physically do things but I could understand it, just watching my own son go through it.George being the way he was just said, "Well you make do and you overcome it in time."

At the Kalaupapa Settlement I met a man (resident) who I got to be good friends with and he told me of hisenduring life's journey as an (outcast) as he put it. He told me that he went from feeling sorry for himself, ashamed and embarrassed all the way to going back to college, graduating and then becoming a teacher at the U of H. in Hawaiian studies and other things.Mind you, This man is also blind with a seeing eye dog in addition to being a leprosy patient with many physical deformities. He told me of a young man that was HIS inspiration, a man that had "lit his fire", someone that made himfeel he could overcome, and he did. When he completed his story and his last words were, I will never forget him, he and I today are the best of friends, his name is George Young, "Kanalu", I was floored.I was in awe. How big our earth and so small our lives that 2 people could actually connect by coincidence or circumstance. I promised him this week, when I left Kalaupapa that I would write to George when I came home and would tell him I met one of his best friends from long ago. I am saddened that I could not do that now, and I am sorry that I will not run into George any more and see that big beaming smile of his.

I guess life is too short................

And this email from Milton Olmos, who sent George a birthday greeting via email earlier this year. This was George's response:

Mahalo Milt,
I really backed into teaching without any intention or deliberate choices being made whatsoever. To do a friend a favor back in 1983, I served as a substitute in two of his classes at UH Manoa. That experience lasted two and half years, he came home, I went off to get the credentials needed to continue teaching something at the college level. I'm so blessed to have been in the right place at the right time that subsequent similar experiences since then have given me back more than the accident in 1969 ever took away. I can say that in all truth with acknowledgment that goes along with it that of course, not to stand on a surfboard, or play my ukulele, or make my family a gourmet meal won't happen with me in the key physical role, then I'm okay.

And watching surfing at the beach makes me smile, listening to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole play his ukulele and sing, and enjoying Sam Choy's cuisine at his Daimond Head restaurant two blocks from my house may be the next best thing and doing all of those special activities myself physically, but the very fact I'm still here is my bottom line. I know God wants me to continue to be a positive influence on others so as long as I'm doing that I feel right with myself.

Mahalo again for the birthday greeting.

George

Funeral Arrangements for George Young

Here are the details for George's Memorial Service:

Date: Saturday, September 13th

Place: St. Mark's Church, 539 Kapahulu Avenue.
http://www.episcopalhawaii.org/ViewOrgUnit.php?OrgUnitID=29

Time: Doors open at 8 a.m.
Memorial Service from 9:00 to 12:00. Mass at the church is 9:15 - 11:30, their interpretation of mass includes the eulogies

Luncheon served from 1:00 to 4 p.m. Kamakakuokalani (Center for Hawaiian Studies at UH), 2645 Dole Street. next to Kanewai Community Park below Saint Louis Heights. Kamakakuokalani is also helping with the food and donations at their hale. Pualani Kauila is coordinating with Victor. Parking at UH Manoa is street parking or the lot next to the center for a flat $3 rate.

12:30 Opening Protocol - Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa
Father Hitchcock - Blessing

From 12-4:00 p.m. there will be a "Celebration of Life" which will include food, music and talk story. The Class of '72 is providing the food for this event, Victor Punua and Peter Gonsalves are in charge. Please email me if you are interested in helping in the kitchen. If you would like to donate some money to help defray the cost of the food, you can send your donation to Peter Gonsalves, 45-506 Noi'i, Kaneohe, HI 96744. Any donations received above the cost of the food will go to George's family.

Parking is limited at St. Mark's, so on-street parking is your best bet. The chapel only holds about a 100 people, with room for another 130 outside. Aloha Week Parade also starts a 930 a.m. on the 13th.

There will be no services held on the Kamehameha Schools campus.

Here is the link to George's obituary that appeared in the Advertiser:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080906/NEWS01/809060325/1001

Aloha Kanalu

It is with deep sadness to hear of the passing of our dear friend and classmate, George Kanalu Young. He was definitely a true "Warrior" in every sense of the word. I am deeply honored and humbled to have a known such a man who accomplished much more that a lot of us have and still trying to in our lives. We will miss you George. But, in our hearts and in our memories you will be remembered always...........until we meet again, Gary & Mikilani Nihipali

Want to Post Something on the Blog?

If you want to post stories, pictures, responses, etc. on the Blog, here's how you do it.

Go to this link https://www.blogger.com/start

In the user name enter: imua72

Password: kapalama

While we are trying to promote a "free flowing forum" for our classmates, by giving the out the user name and password, we open ourselves up to anyone in world that wants to post up material on our blog. Consequently, I must reserve the right to edit, alter or delete any information that is inaccurate, offensive or not relative to our class. Please help me to look after the Blog and report anything that needs to be looked at a bit closer. Mahalo, Benny

Lost for words...

Rarely am I lost for words....it is with much difficulty that I attempt to express the void I have in my heart....

This week, we lost an incredible human being....George and I became friends the summer of 1970. I met George for the first time at the Rehabilitation Center of Hawaii...I was a volunteer "candy striper" and he was a patient. My first assignment was to assist a spirited and somewhat angry young man with lunch. It was shortly after he accidently bit my finger...thinking it was part of the sandwich, we realize we were classmates at "Kam School"! Little did we know, that our first lunch would lead to a lifetime friendship. We spent that summer playing checkers and "talking story" while he learn to adjust and adapt to his physical challenges. Throughout the years, George has always been involved with our class...as our Hawaiian Advisor, it was George who reminded us to always be pono and that our class embodies the spirit of our Princess and all we do and say must reflect that! He freely gave his knowledge, his time, his heart and spirit to us. In recent years, he became my Hawaiian Studies Kumu. He taught me so much more than Hawaiian history and culture...he taught me by example what it is to fully LIVE with abandon PASSION, with divine PURPOSE, with steadfast CONVICTION and with unconditional LOVE.

I am saden...I miss my dear friend who guided and inspired so many :-(
I am humbled and grateful knowing how much George made a difference in my life :-)
I believe I am a better human being because of him :-)

E malama pono, Debbie

Reactions to the Passing of George Young

"Auwe! What a loss! Incredible man. If you haven't already...watch the youtube video. Aloha Kanalu....you are the greatest Kamehameha warrior from the class of 1972. None of us can replace the void he leaves....but all of us must collectively do what we can. Watch the video." Bimo Akiona

"There is really no way to speak to this great loss except to say that with every breath he took, our brother George was a true Warrior. Terry & I had just returned to Honolulu from Maui last night and I will always believe that it was no coincidence running into Lois (who had just arrived from Kona) in baggage claim. We rushed to Queens along with Lois in time to tell George how much we loved him. My last words to George was to tell him that the next time I see him, he will be standing with open arms to greet me. a hui hou my dearest brother." Peter Gonsalves

"While it's so sad to say Aloha to George I do believe he is in a much better place. My condolences to his family, I always remember his mother bringing him to school in their van. Her devotion truly inspires me to be a good mother to my sons. The video is awesome and I will share it will all my Ohana. Let's all remember to leave this place better than we found it as George has! Aloha ke Akua to all of you!" Marie Quindica Cuomo

"Kanalu was a friend of mine who never failed to kokua whenever I called his office. We wrote several songs together, the latest songs are part of the collection from the Hokule‘a Legacy CD.I will mis my friend and offer my sincerest condolences to his ‘ohana." Kenneth Makuakane '75

"Mahalo on the update, there will be an empty spot in all our hearts that will be hard to fill. George, we love you!" Stephanie Naone-Sennish

"Thank you for keeping us well informed. I appreciate your efforts. This time it was very sad news for us. However, it appears George was very tired and wanted to rest. So I guess we should be happy for him. I too will miss him." Kevin Lima

"My heart is heavy for the passing of a dear, dear friend. The memorable times we spent together that began in high school, especially the music we shared at his home on Duval St. I have admired and loved this great man for the never ending dedication to better himself despite his physical hardships. My tears fall knowing that in this life I will never see him again, never talk to him again, never hug him again. He has been an icon to me and I will never, never forget him. I am Proud to call him my Brother." Aloha Nui Loa, Al Kaai

"ahhhh... george's passing brings to light how very fragile and short life is. george filled his 54 years with incredible accomplishments in spite of his circumstances, if anything, his circumstances strengthened his resolve. i regret not spending more time with george... not learning more from him. but i will always be grateful for his friendship and confidence in me. blessings and aloha to his 'ohana. please know how much george was loved and respected. a hui hou, george. mahalo nui!" - Joanne Makalena

"........Hearing, today, of George's departure from life saddens me deeply, butreflects on how he persevered through his life of medical challenges tobecome a Man among Men, a teacher amongst all teachers and a friend thatwill last through eternity. My heart and prayers goes out to the familyand to the class of "72", who I know are all grieving together. When weare done fulfilling the sorrows of our hearts, we should rejoice withsong and dance for all that George has done, celebrating his life thatwas just so "Unbelievable". I dance and sing for you George." - Ed Han

"It's so difficult to think of the world without George. He taught me so much about living a life that is pono, and I think he touched so many people. Although I didn't see him as often as I would have liked because I live on the mainland, I was able to see him on my last trip home and let him know how much he is loved. I think that my life was enriched from having known George." - Laureen Kim

Ke au'i nei kala...welo! welo!
Ke au'i nei kala...welo! welo!
Ke molehulehu mai nei...nakolo! nakolo!
Ke molehulehu mai nei...nakolo! nakolo!
Na po'o ana i lalo...he moku o Lehua!
Na po'o ana i lalo...he moku o Lehua!
Ma'awihilani...he moe, he moe!
Ma'awihilani...he moe! he moe!
Aloha e kukula o ka lani
Aloha e kukula o ka honua.
Au'e anu,anu o u mau iwi hilo nei.

A hui hou, Kanalu!

- Anonymous

George Terry Kanalu Young 1954-2008

One of our most esteemed classmates, George "Kanalu" Young, passed away last night at Queens Hospital. He had been at Queens since early July, fighting muscle spasms and other complications that were related to his paralysis of 39 years. At the end, he made the decision to discontinue his feeding tube and asked to be disconnected from his respirator. He was surrounded by his family and long-time caretaker and classmate, Lois Wise when he died at approximately 9:00 p.m. Hawaii Time.

Despite his paralysis (caused by a diving accident in 1969), George lived a very full life, graduating from UH and and receiving his doctorate in Hawaiian Studies. He was head of the masters program in Hawaiian Studies and a long time professor at the University. He was an outspoken activist for Hawaiian causes and authored dozens of articles and books on different aspects of the Hawaiian culture. He wrote a short story about his accident and paralysis and had it published in the widely successful book, Chicken Soup from the Soul of Hawaii. In addition, George was a composer who wrote many songs and chants, including a chant for the University of Hawaii football program. In 2002, he was honored with the Frank Kernohan Award for perpetuating Hawaiian music, language and culture.

He was beloved by his students and respected by his colleagues.

"I've learned so much from George over the last 5 years. I can't even begin to explain what his loss means to me," said Debbie Lau Okamura, a classmate and Hawaiiana student.

To watch an amazing video of George produced by the Koani Foundation, go to this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCqrH0ihSqQ

Funeral arrangements are pending. George was survived by his father and mother and brother and sister and a huge extended o'hana.