A Hui Hou. - Until We Meet Again

May 9. Three weeks since I said goodbye. Aloha, my Big Kahuna. A hui hou. Until we meet again....

Today was spiritual. A part of George is now resting offshore West Maui, near Black Rock. We were together to send him off. The grands and I threw leis and we all shed tears as we said goodbye...

It started as a routine whale watch adventure. Yesterday was supposed to be The Day - on a sunset sail - but gale force winds and nasty weather forced the cancellation of all trips, with no availability for future sails until after we depart on Friday. I was heartbroken and just a bit desperate. Scott was prepared to go dockside and pay a captain of any sea worthy vessel to take us out before Friday.

Today’s weather was perfect. Calm seas and gentle winds. We had a whale watch tour scheduled for today and Alison decided to ask if they would allow us the opportunity to release our Kahuna on today’s trip. They said YES! It was a #kahunasign of what was to come...

About 20 minutes into the trip, the crew of the Pacific Whale Foundation gathered the rest of the passengers near the front of the beautiful catamaran as another crew member led us to the stern. The captain slowed the boat at Black Rock - the spot I had requested - a very spiritual spot in Hawaiian culture and one of our favorite viewpoints from our place here.

We held each other, said some goodbyes, and I released George to this beautiful spot. Max and Ryder tossed their leis after I sent mine to join George. We held each other even tighter as we watched them float on the gentle wake of the boat and waved goodbye.

As we watched the trail of ashes floating on the water, a huge pod of spinner dolphins appeared! Even the crew was caught off guard at the location and timing. They stayed and played for at least 30 minutes as we all marveled at their beauty and playfulness. Among them was a newborn calf - the smallest any of the marine biologist crew had ever seen. New life! Just as another life had been laid to rest.




Steven on the crew told me Hawaiian legend has guardian spirits who appear after the death of a loved one - an Aumakua. I think that was my #kahunasign that he is where he wanted to be. Aloha my love. Aloha a hui hou.