02/10/2024
Aloha.This is a difficult one. Seems like yesterday, Kahala had just turned 3. He was rolling around giving Sweet Ema a hug and a kiss before we took off for school on a Monday morning . I raced back home to relieve the Hospice Nurse with Em. I am forever grateful for Em to persevere, to allow me to make it home, to hold her and comfort her as she passed to the next life peacefully in my arms 10 years ago. We love you Ema. You are the GOAT as a mom, a friend, a wife, a daughter, a partner and teammate. You fought harder than anyone to be there for us, to see Kahala make it to preschool, to go to his first dentist appointment, the little victories in our battle. I am flooded with memories and emotions 10 years later as if it is happening again . Battling thru a year of chemo to get to surgery… Get to California only be told hours later when you came out of the operation that they couldn’t help us. I dropped to my knees ghost white when I heard the news. Ema, you were the one to tell us it would be OK as we were all crying together. Tough as nails, smiling and caring for everyone else along the way. Cancer was only one small part of our journey 10 years later. Loving memories of all of the better times with our beautiful son Kahala pre cancer, Keawaiki, paddling, adventures all over the Pacific and the Globe. Emalia, Thank you for making our lives better and filled with joy and love. Lots of love to my very favorite person for being by my side and to all of our friends and loving family that have been there to help lift us up these past 10 years plus. To my family at Maui County Fire Department , Hawaiian Canoe Club and friends on Maui and beyond. Mahalo mahalo mahalo!!! Ten years holy moly. To all of us, cherish one another, light a candle, spread a flower, and CHEERS to a life well lived. We all love you Emalia❤️ Hope to hug you all.
