In the quiet moments of life, we often find ourselves reflecting on our choices and the paths we take. This story, Mahope O Ka Manawa ‘Ino, captures the essence of loss, responsibility, and the search for meaning. Join us as we explore the poignant moments shared between Boy and Rita.
Boy sat at his desk, lost in thought. The world around him faded as he stared into nothingness. Rita entered, placing a plate of ‘o’io salad, poi, and pua’a kalua in front of him. His favorite peach tea filled a large beer glass, taking up most of the space on his mouse pad.
Rita settled across from him, carefully unfolding her napkin. She arranged her utensils with precision before opening a can of Diet soda. As she poured it into her tall glass, she prepared to enjoy her meal of boneless chicken and brown rice.
“It’s rude to space out when someone is in the same room,” Rita said, breaking the silence.
“I thought I could mentor her,” Boy replied, his voice heavy with regret. “I wanted to bring her along when she was older.”
“There’s nothing you could have done, Hanson. If you were in her place, you would have done the same thing,” Rita reassured him.
“No one could have foreseen the circumstances,” Boy admitted. “We were thrust into this much sooner than we expected.”
“Then why torture yourself over it?” Rita asked gently.
“Because I could have done something. I should have had the foresight…” Boy trailed off, lost in his thoughts.
“You can’t save everyone, although you do a very good job of trying,” Rita said. “We can control certain situations, but we are not the seers of fate. That’s not up to us.”
Boy lowered his head, contemplating Rita’s wise words. He rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of his thoughts.
“Concern yourself with the people you’re responsible for in this office,” Rita smiled. “We need you.”
Despite the tragedy of her death, Boy felt that she deserved more than to be forgotten. He took it upon himself to arrange her funeral. He paid for her plot and headstone, ordered flowers, and hired musicians to play her favorite songs.
Boy, along with Ivan, Tiny, and Kealoha, the doorman, served as pallbearers. They escorted her to her final resting place. At 1:32 in the afternoon, her earthly remains were laid to rest.
Instead of a traditional invocation, a lone guitar player offered a song for those in attendance. Boy shared a brief history of her life with the musician, who unknowingly played her favorite song as the casket was lowered.
The lyrics echoed the struggles she faced:
“She’s been afraid to go out, she’s afraid of the knock on the door,
there’s always a shade of a doubt, she can never be sure,
who comes to call, maybe the friend of a friend of a friend,
anyone at all, anything but nothing again.
It used to be her town, it used to be her town too…”
A short time later, a plaque adorned her grave, etched with mokihana and laua’e in honor of her Kaua’i roots. The plaque read:
MELELANI HUALALA’I
BORN MARCH 13, 1962 – DEATH UNKNOWN 2016
“Everything okay, boss?” Kealoha asked, breaking Boy’s reverie.
“Yes,” Boy replied. “Bring the car around, please.”
“Yes, boss,” Kealoha responded.
“Oh, and Kealoha?” Boy called after him.
“Yes, boss?” Kealoha answered, his voice steady.
“Thank you for coming to help on such short notice. I appreciate it,” Boy said with sincerity.
“Thank you for considering me, boss. It means a lot,” Kealoha bowed slightly.
As Boy stood there, he felt a sense of comfort from the Ko’olau mountains in the early afternoon light. The mountains reminded him of drives back from the mango groves in Hau’ula, many years ago when he learned Lua from his parents.
Life’s busy pace awaited on the other side of those mountains. Yet, in this place where the winds were constant and the rains were welcoming, Boy Napualawa felt at home.
Mahope O Ka Manawa ‘Ino is a story of reflection, loss, and the importance of cherishing those we love. Boy’s journey