Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 7, 1 July 2003 — Tūtū Lilia Wahinemaikaʻi Hale lived her life as an ʻambassador of alohaʻ [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Tūtū Lilia Wahinemaikaʻi Hale lived her life as an ʻambassador of alohaʻ

By Kalani Meineeke Editor's note: Kalani Meineeke is a kumu 'ōieio Hawai'i (Hawaiian Ianguage instructor) at Windward Community Co11ege. Lilia Wahinemaika 'i Ka'apuiki Kanahele Keali'inohomoku Hale lived life to its fullest, for she was always full of life. She believed that eaeh day was a special blessing from the Lord, and she always remembered to thank Him and to ask for His eontinued guidance, protection and blessings, wherever and whenever. Kupuna Hale's strong spiritual foundation, her firm, positive outlook on life and her hope in the future helped her through an underprivileged childhood, through the struggles of young motherhood, the great depression and then the disruption of Hawai'i's wartime years. In her adult years, she found a revived participation in the sustainment and fellowship of the church - and in singing - and in entertaining, as she was blessed with a quick wit and an insightful feel for language,

whether it be English or her first language, Hawaiian. It was, however, in the last 25 years of her life that she ean be said to have "blossomed forth" into the extraordinary, outgoing "kupuna"

ever ready to be the innovative kupuna teacher in the classroom or the witty, persuasive lobbyist and spokesperson for educational goals, or the one-of-a-kind traveling ambassador of aloha and goodwill, be it among Europeans, White Americans, Native Americans, Native Alaskans or Polynesians.

She is fondly remembered in Alaska by the family and elan members of the Tlingit Indian Nation leader Judson Shakakuni Brown, who adopted Kupuna Hale as his sister, bestowed upon her the name "Shaa Yee" and adopted her into the Eagle tribe and Killerwhale elan. A "killer" ambassador of aloha she certainly was, whether it was in Juneau or Sitka, Alaska, or anywhere in Aotearoa — that is, New Zealand. Having traveled there 15 times, "Mama" Hale was probably the best known Hawaiian in New Zealand. She loved the Maori people, and they loved her! She used to remark, "I eame to New Zealand a Hawaiian, but I'm going home a Maori." In summary, what ean we say is Mama Hale's legacy? Perhaps we ean propose her legacy to include the following: • Her affirmation, appetite and zest for life; always accentuating the positive in people and in life; • Her constant outreach to people, from the little ones to the elderly and infirm, to those less fortunate than herself; • Her affirmation and love for her Hawaiian heritage, the Hawaiian

language and her long-term desire to promote the understanding, the appreciation and the perpetuation of this precious legacy unique only to Hawai'i; and, finally, • Her everlasting sense of cheer, charm and good humor! Just reflect on this: How many times have you asked her, "Mama Hale, how are you?" She, in her characteristic way, would reply, "Well, darling, how do I look?" In closing, we might remind ourselves that in her 90 years on this earth, she touched many, many lives. She brought good cheer, smiles, laughter and warm love to eaeh and every one of us. Her legacy lives on through her many descendants, her family and thousands of friends throughout the world. She will be beautifully remembered in our minds and heart and in Eddie and Myrna Kamae's "Hawaiian Legacy " film documentary series, including her appearances in "Word.s, Earth and Aloha" and "Hawaiian Voicesi" Her voice will for us forever be the voice of aloha! n

Lilia Hale April 20, 1913- June 5, 2003

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