3 perfect days - friday april 17, 2009

[Click on the title of this post to link to the song "Pua 'Āhihi" by the Kahauanu Lake Trio]

Friday was mom's committal service and it opened sunny and warm. Dad's brother Uncle D and his wife Auntie A stayed with us in Hau'ula and we caravanned to Hawaiian Memorial Cemetery in Kane'ohe in a peaceful mood.

A surprising number of family and friends attended the 11am service held in the committal shelter. Burial plots are assigned as needed so there are no rank hierarchies or preferential treatment and loved ones are allowed a maximum of 15 minutes for the services which are held on the hour.

The set-up was in perfect keeping with mom's wishes for graveside service only.

Dad welcomed our family and friends with these words:

Elaine wanted no funeral service or eulogies. We are here to witness the committal of her material remains to the earth, but her spirit lives on in our hearts.

We would like to honor her wishes and her spirit by a period of silent reflection and communion.

The period of silence and the service will end with the playing of one of her favorite songs, "Pua 'Āhihi."

Of course, being dad, he went off-script despite many warnings, reminders and threats. He let everyone know that 30 years ago, mom had requested Uncle S play this particular song at her funeral. And he departed even further from the script by explaining that the song is a very sensual one. [Side note: The song was written by Mary Kawena Pukui and Maddy Lam and is very Hawaiian in its sly word play. Hihi means entangled or entwined and the song title, 'āhihi, refers to a type of lehua tree that is found in Nu'uanu, which is ostensibly the song's subject]

This is why Auntie I exclaimed, "That's not for kids to play!" when dad informed her of the choice of music. We had been talking about Little E and the Nephew strumming their ukes at that point. Sadly, Uncle S is no longer with us so we used a version recorded by the Kahauanu Lake Trio. If you click on the blog post title, you will be taken to a link to listen to the song.

Dad is a Korean War-era Marine vet so mom was buried in the veterans' area: Section 157 - B4, one of the highest hills left as you face the Columbarium Memorial Plaza, near the road and facing the beautiful Ko'olau mountains.

lu'au sat. april 18 - Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden 11am-2pm

Elaine's lu'au:

Komo mai!

You can get to Luluku Rd. direct from Kamehameha Hwy. or from Anoi Rd. off Likelike Hwy.

45-680 Luluku Road
Kaneohe, HI 96744(808) 233-7323
www.honolulu.gov/parks/hbg/hmbg.htm

We're are at the Kahua Nui campground, the most southwestern end of the park. Keep heading in. When you get to a t-junction, head right. Keep heading in. You'll see the big white tent.

Call Cis' mobile if you get lost.

honolulu advertiser april 11, 2009

ELAINE CHUNG

Elaine ("Pee" for Peewee) Chung, died peacefully on April 1, 2009, in Hau'ula. As she wished, she was at home with her family, between the ocean and the Ko'olau mountains.

Elaine leaves her loved ones with the rich legacy of a life lived with grace and integrity. She put all her energy, smarts, pragmatism and crystal clear moral compass into her passion for public service and spent her career as a social worker both in Hawai'i for Big Brothers and Child Protective Services, and in Germany working for Army Community Services as a Family & Child Advocate.

Elaine was a truth teller and a compassionate but common sense advocate for the disadvantaged.

Her family and friends appreciated her wry, whimsical humor and knew her as an adventurous traveler, fierce competitor and sports aficionado, appreciator of books and Hawaiian music, woodworker, Vegas low roller, cat lover, nature enthusiast and loyal friend.

She retired twice from her career as a social worker and during her second retirement, enjoyed making found-wood walking sticks, spending time with her grand kids, and becoming active in ocean conservation.

She will be deeply missed by husband Waldron (Makao), 4 children and their spouses, 6 grand kids, sister Loraine (Richard) Pang and numerous family members, friends and colleagues in whose lives she took a genuine interest, investing her time and commitment into each relationship.

A brief committal service will be held Friday, April 17, at 11 am at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery located at Hawaiian Memorial Park.

A gathering for family and friends will be hosted by the family on Saturday, April 18, from 11 am - 2 pm at Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, 45-680 Luluku Rd., Kane'ohe at the Kahua Nui campground.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Hawaii Nature Center (2131 Makiki Heights Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822) https://www.justgive.org/basket?acton=donate&ein=99-0208246 where a program established in memory of Elaine will provide Hawaii's foster families with annual memberships. For more information, please visit our blog at: http://notmaudlinmom.blogspot.com/ or email to: notmaudlinmom@gmail.com

e lei kau, e lei ho’oilo i ke aloha

Love is worn like a wreath through the summers and the winters. Love is everlasting.

Mahalo to all for the offers of, well, pretty much anything and everything. I guess we shouldn't be surprised by the thoughtfulness of family and friends but your generosity has been overwhelming.

Many of you have found out that local florists will not deliver to Hau'ula. Really, mom is not playing tricks, but, pragmatist that she was, she would prefer to direct your generous impulses to the projects near and dear to her heart; environmental conservation and community action.

So while we welcome the outpouring of support, if you wish to do something in mom's name, we suggest you make a donation to a non-profit working on environmental and/or conservation projects.

In the next few days I will post information on mom-approved causes.

Hope to see you at Ho'omaluhia on the 18th.

party! saturday, april 18 | Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden

We had to move the date because of anticipated turnout. Details to follow.

There will be music, food and drink - all the ingredients for a mom-worthy event.

As we get closer to the date, we will need a firm count for the caterers so when you know FO' SHURE! if you will be joining us, email:

notmaudlinmom@gmail.com

please include:

1. Your full name
2. # of children and # of adults in your party
3. Names of all people in your party.

At mom's request, no open mic, however, we would like to invite former colleagues to talk about mom's commitment to and passion for public service. While she shared many wonderful experiences with her grandchildren, her one regret is that she did not have time to convey to them her deep belief in service to the community.

I will be in charge of speakers so if you are interested in sharing an anecdote, please send me your contact info and I will be in touch.

Mahalo.

elaine loo chung: january 4, 1934 - april 1, 2009

Mom died this afternoon. Her passing was peaceful.