Let me elaborate more on my trip to Kaua'i. We left on Thurs - sun. I was SO excited!!! My function on this trip was to photograph and video everything, so that they would have documentation of everything. Its very different the experience that you get from being behind the camera. Being able to capture all the moments that everyone else is feeling at that exact moment is really overwhelming!

Well, I found some connections on my trip. I always thought that my hawaiian family name was uncommon because I hardly ever hear it. It was only after our visit to the Kanaka'ole burial site that I actually thought about the connection. They asked that everyone with blood connection to the Kanaka'ole's come forward so that you can pay your respect. I didn't know if I was connected so I stayed back.

Later that night I mentioned to aunty gail (my roomie) that I thought my hawaiian family's name wasn't common and then she asked me what it was so I said....Kahakua. All of a sudden she starts to mention my uncle and my mom and my other uncle and my aunty. Crazy. She's classmates with my uncle brad from Kamehameha and she knows my mom and uncle. She knew about my aunty passing away and everything. Her family is from the same area as mine. She knew about my great grandparents being buried in Ha'ena in Puna. Crazy, I tell you!! Never did I think I would be that close in relation and not even know it.That makes me kind of sad though that I don't know my history.

I will now take the initiative to question my history because knowing will make me a stronger person.

To be continued...