In the deep shadows of the peaceful garden beyond where the children sit making plumeria lei, I think I can see the outlines of lei makers that long ago sat in the very same place. They are seated at their tables, patiently stringing the fragrant blooms into beautiful creations. I close my eyes and drink in the fragrance of ginger and plumeria when, in the rustle of the leaves overhead and the sweet trilling of the birds in the branches, I suddenly hear the soft laughter of the spirit lei makers, the murmur of their voices rising and falling in the breeze as they once more "talk story." The past touches the present and the circle is complete.

Lei making ...such an integral and gracious part of Hawaiian tradition. My foreground models are from left to right: my grand niece, Briana, my great-grand niece, Kuualoha. Behind them, stringing puakenikeni, sits Monica, fiancée of Kamuela, Jr. (Under the table sits "Somebody"-so named by Kuualoha).


I am dedicating this painting to the memory of my husband's oldest brother:  

Ramus Hoolulu Seabury (Raymond) 1940-2003

There are six generations of women and girls from Raymond's ohana.

In the very back and center stands his grandmother, Victoria Hoolulu, (mother's maiden name: Puha) and at the table in the center, his mother, Helen Kuia, (mother's maiden name: Hoolulu).  

At the table on the left, sit his wife, Harriet Kahilahila (maiden name: Kapuniai), and her mother, Pearl Mason Kapuniai.  

Because Raymond had sons but no daughters, I have used two of his nieces as models. At the table in the center sits Kuuipo, daughter of Raymond's oldest surviving brother. At the table with Monica sits Malia, daughter of Raymond's oldest sister.  

On the lauhala mat in the foreground on the left, sits his granddaughter, Briana, the daughter of Raymond's middle son, Keone. On the right, sits Kuualoha, granddaughter of Raymond's oldest son, Kala.