Last saturday my Uncle Butchie passed away at the age of 63. He passed from a heart attack, but during his sleep. I am not sure if it was sudden or not, but when we saw his body it seemed at peace. My uncle was a hard working man and really never had time for games, but as hard as he worked is as hard as he could party. He was a Journey Man in Tile Setting and amongst his many projects were the Makai Market at Ala Moana Shoping Center, Jim Neighbors House, and of course the famous Hawaiian "Larry Mehau's" hale in Hawaii. My Uncle loved his motor cycles especially his Harley Davidsons. I think he even had three bikes of his own. Once I find the picture I will share one of his bikes that I was sitting on as a child.Uncle Butchie is a nick name and so is Gobo, so when you hear these names you will know from where these people come from or who they are to Uncle. Uncle loved being Hawaiian and would alwyas greet me and Anela in Hawaiian when we came to visit at his home in Pearl City. He would always from his porch steps say, "Hui...Hui...Mai...Komo Mai...", and as we got near to him...near to the porch he would Aloha us with, "Pehea Oe?", and I would well up inside and be so proud of my Uncle for his efforts in learning the language. He would always say that he wished that he gave more time to really listening to his mother, my Tutu Nani because he said that if he did the whole family would have had the Hawaiian language used more in our every day speach, but thats ok Uncle because Anela and I will help the the others in our ohana know the importance in perpetuating the Hawaiian Language.My Uncle was born on March 2, 1944. Today he would have turned 64 years old. He passed on Saturday February 23, 2008. HIs Oahu funeral will be this Tuesday at Borthwics Honolulu and then we shall scatter him on Saturday March 8, 2008 at Makalawena, North Kona, Hawaii at 9am.A Hui Hou Hawaiian and Malama Pono...
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