Expert: Malia - 11/6/2009

Question
Malia,

 I love Hawaii and all things Hawaiian.  You are a beautiful people with a rich culture.

 One of my dear hawaiian friends, Leanne Kuuleimomimakaonaona Waiau Cook, recently passed away very unexpectedly.  This has created a deep loss and I would like to appropriatly and adequatly express my feelings to her family and friends.  Will you recommend some expressions, in Hawaiian, that would be appropriate.  She was very much attuned to her culture, all Hawaiian!  And she will be deeply missed by all who know her.


Thank you for taking time to review and respond.

Gary Clark

Answer
Aloha,
Mahalo for your compliment :-)

I am sorry to hear about your friend's passing.
Depending on where you are writing from, you could make or have made flower leis.
In Hawaii this is what we give to each other for funerals.
Also there is a beautiful Hawaiian prayer used a lot for different occasions, also funerals, where people gather and hold hands.
You can do a mini ceremony wherever you are and say the prayer.
You can also make a little "altar" that you leave somewhere for a while, some leaves, ferns with oranges, etc.
We all celebrate life here and not death really.
People dress in flower patterns or white.
Here is the prayer:

Ho`onani I Ka Makua Mau  




Ho`onani i ka Makua Mau
Ke Keiki me ka `Uhane nô
Ke Akua Mau ho`omaika`i pû
Ko kêia ao ko kêlâ ao

`Âmene
Praise God from whom all blessing flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise him above all heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost


Let me know if you have any more questions
Malia




Amen