Puʻuloa (Pearl Harbor)
The story goes that my dad, Thomas James OʻConnor, was playing cards on a 24-hour pas when the attack on Pearl Harbor began. Continue reading Puʻuloa (Pearl Harbor)
Author: Deb Kuupuaonaona McCue
Daughter of a hula dancer and WWII vet. Born and raised on the East Coast and brought up by my Hawaiian grandmother. Mother of 2 married daughters and wife of a guy who still keeps me laughing after 37 years of marriage. Tutu to a lovely grandson! Docent at the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow - think Legend. Member of the Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns.
Kahiko (Ancient)
Observing Traditions in the time of COVID19. Continue reading Kahiko (Ancient)
Talk Story
In Hawaii, whenever two or more are gathered together, there is talk story. Continue reading Talk Story
Inoa (Name)
With Aloha to all of my hoaaloha and ohana on my 65th birthday. Continue reading Inoa (Name)
Mauna Kea – July 2019
Or why this mountain means so much to a daughter of the Hawaiian diaspora. While my family was camping in the Adirondacks this week, I spent my vacation time weathering the heat wave by sharing the air-conditioned space of my kitchen with our three dogs. I had two goals for my quiet time: finish the 2018 taxes and Nathaniel Philbrick’s “Valiant Ambition – George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution”. I did neither. A quick visit to my Facebook account told me that things were happening on Mauna Kea and it demanded my attention. For several days … Continue reading Mauna Kea – July 2019
Tūtū and the Hopi Earrings
I ulu no ka lālā i ke kumu.* The branches grow because of the trunk. As a teenager, one of my favorite hangouts was Georgetown. There was a new age bookstore/restaurant there called “Yes” where you could peruse titles on world religion and the occult while munching on brown rice and vegetables. I bought my first books on Islam, Buddhism and Thomas Merton in that book store. It was a hope filled place. My friends and I would jump into the back of anotherʻs Volkswagen van and head for DC. Weʻd check out the books and then share a meal … Continue reading Tūtū and the Hopi Earrings
Lei (Garland)
My initial experience with lei pua (flower lei) was a frightening one. As a child of five, visiting my Maui cousins for the first time, I was unacquainted with the custom of lei giving and became overwhelmed as cousin after cousin placed lei after lei over my head. Overcome by the fragrance and the weight of the flowers I simply sank to my knees. Continue reading “Lei (Garland)”
Kapu (Set Apart)
On the GoVisitHawaii site, there is a warning, “Honor Kapu Symbols When You Visit Hawaii”. Kapu means that something is set apart from other things. Usually, this has something to do with separating the sacred from the profane. Continue reading “Kapu (Set Apart)”
Finally, My Ship Has Come In
Finally, my ship has come in. Well, not a ship exactly. A wa’a. A wa’a kaulua. A Hawaiian ocean-going canoe. Her name is derived from a celestial light, Arcturis, which Hawaiians call Hokule’a, the Star of Gladness. When a Hawaiian voyager sees this star, she knows she is almost home, and as we all learned from Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, there’s no place like home. Continue reading “Finally, My Ship Has Come In”
