Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 3, 1 March 2011 — Aunty "Frenchy" DeSoto remembered as positive role model [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aunty "Frenchy" DeSoto remembered as positive role model

By Francine Murray The path through the landseaped courtyard guided guests to the double doors of the Mililani Mauka Chapel, where family and friends could be heard sharing fond memories as they celebrated the life of Adelaide "Frenchy" Keanuenueokalaninuiamamao DeSoto on Feb. 2 and 3. "All the things Fve done in my life, my mom, my dad, a lot of people stood together and helped get me up there," said her son, the former klonolulu City Councilman John DeSoto Jr. "When one gets to the top they don't do it alone. You know I've never gotten it by myself. That is what 'Frenchy' had taught us." DeSoto, who served as the first Chairperson of OHA, whieh she helped create as a delegate to the 1978 Constitutional Convention,

passed away Jan. 21 at the age of 81. At her service, many spoke of how the "Mother of OHA" stood up for others, and admired her for her dedication to the Hawaiian people and her hard work to preserve sacred Hawaiian lands when it wasn't popular to do so. But her family saw a different side of her. "You know a lot of people see her as what she has accumulated throughout her career, but it was really emohonal for me, especially being the oldest son," said John as he imparted memories of his early childhood. "Seeing her raise six children, we didn't have underwear, no shoes or anything. We used to eat rice, cream and sugar for dinner. Momand Dad wouldn't eat because they didn't have enough food for all of us." "Frenchy" was self-sacrificing, very hard working and instilled the

importance of family to her siblings, children and mo'opuna (grandchildren). John said his mother also taught him to never let the negative take control of the positive. "It's like having a mosquito bite on a big person," he said. "You don't let the mosquito bite take eontrol of all the good things that ean happen. What was niee about Mom was she kept everyone focused and motivated. She always said, 'Never say never.'" "Because of how she was raised when she was a child she has given us the opportunity to look at the positive," said John. "There is light at the end of the tunnel. We ean get there. It's hard sometimes but don't give up. Don't let the negative part take control or you'll never get to that side. The train of opportunity only comes onee in awhile, so get on it and just do it." ■

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'Ohana and friends gathered in Mililani on Feb. 3 to bid aloha to Aunty "Frenchy" DeSoto,Photos: John Matsuzaki