Uncle Joseph Kanakahelelā Goo
On May 8 – 10, 2009, I was part of the teaching staff at the first annual Koke‘e Music Camp on the island of Kaua‘i, along with Hawaiian language professors Puakea Nogelmeier, Keola Donaghy, Kaliko Beamer-Trapp and fellow musician Walt Keale. We taught Haku Mele, the art of Hawaiian poetry and song to about 60 bright eyed participants during that weekend.
It was here that I befriended a 78 year old Hawaiian-Chinese man named uncle Joe Kanakahelelā Goo, a slight gentleman who came up to my shoulder in height. During the next three days, I heard snippets of his life, of his three daughters and of his one true love who passed away unexpectedly three years ago. He was a man who was hurting deep inside, because his lifelong partner was gone.
On Friday evening, he introduced himself to me and said that he didn’t speak Hawaiian, but he really wanted to how to haku a mele, so that he could make one for his wife. I told him anything is possible, if he really wanted it to happen. I didn’t tell him I was one of the instructors, so he assumed I was one of the participants – and thus started our journey together.
I told him I was born and raised on the Big Island, but have lived on O‘ahu for many years now. We chatted about a lot of things, but I was more interested in hearing his life’s story and the story of the Kaua‘i lifestyle, because I have never really cared for this island, never felt a bond or an affinity for this place. I felt like something was missing or some force didn’t appreciate my presence. Whatever the case, I was running around all weekend, doing my thing, teaching my classes, hiking on the trails, picking mailelauli‘ili‘i in the bushes, sitting on a log and taking in the peacefulness of the area. Throughout the day, uncle and I would bump into each other, and he would tell me another story. By the end of the camp, I gathered a lot of information of his life, his passions, and his loss.
On Sunday morning, the last day, the instructors devised a plan to enable the students to take home at least a completed four-line pauku or verse of their very first mele. Kaliko directed the students to split up into six groups and come up with four lines of the first verse in English. After this was done, to the satisfaction of the instructors, the students were asked to turn thought and language into Hawaiian. Mind you, there were only two or three people who could speak the language. The kumu went around the room, assisting the groups with their thoughts. I was charged with going to each group and making sure the meter of each line was properly structured, so that a melody could be attached to it. I quickly scanned each mele and wrote the leo or voice to each group’s pauku. All papers were handed in and Kaliko wrote each group’s mele on a big sheet for the entire class to see. The group’s representatives explained the mele and the kaona. I then proceeded to sing the the song to the cheers and delight of the whole class.
It was like the floodgates of light were opened, because each student got to see the fruits of their labor come alive. Uncle Joe came running to me, hugged me for a long time and said that he never thought he could ever dream of writing a song, much less a Hawaiian song. As he cried on my shoulder, he said that he was going home and start on his wife’s song. He was so happy, like a little boy who just found his way out of the forest. As we all went on the front steps to take a final group picture, he kept patting me on the back, beaming ear to ear.
At the end of lunch, we all grabbed our bags to leave. Uncle Joe came to look for me and told me to come see him the next time I was on the island, gave me a big hug, and trotted merrily to the car. I have to admit, I fell in love with that man and his spirit, and therefore I finally fell in love with Kaua‘i and its spirit. I thought this was the last time I was going to see uncle Joe, since I don’t really go to Kaua‘i that often.
On May 24th, I attended my son’s graduation from Kamehameha Schools at the Blaisedell Arena. It was an emotional night for me to see my baby transition into a man. After the ceremony, we headed to the Exhibition Hall to congratulate him and deck him with tons of leis. After awhile I thought I would go and check out his FIRST girlfriend, since he never told me he HAD a girlfriend. We were in the “M” section and she (the girlfriend) was in the “B” section, so my wife and I weaved our way through the thousands of bodies, towards the “B” section. To our dismay, the girl wasn’t there, probably checking out her classmates, so we turn to head back. As we passed the “F” section, I see a familiar face. It’s uncle Joe! We immediately start hugging and chatting like old friends, while his ‘ohana is looking at us in disbelief. His daughter looks at me and says, “You’re Kawai’s dad. How do you know my father?” Uncle Joe tells her that I am the guy he’s been talking about, since attending the Music Camp. She tells him that my son and her son are classmates and played sports together. I was so happy to see him, as he was to see me, but I had to get back to my son. We said goodbye and we’ll see each other again. After the festivities settled and my son went off with his class to Project Graduation, my family and I walked to our car, and me still thinking about my friend. Driving out of the parking lot, I again see uncle Joe and his ‘ohana walking to their car, so I roll down my window and wave bye to him, feeling so happy that I once again connected with my Kaua‘i friend.
On Kamehameha Day, June 11th, I got a friend request on Facebook from a woman who wanted to use one of my compositions for her father’s celebration. Since I get a number of these kinds of song requests, I immediately accept her as my Facebook friend and send a message that she can use the song on her slideshow for her father. The next message I get from her is on Monday, June 15th, thanking me for the usage of my song and begins to explain the video. The end of the message said that the Lord called her dad home and now he is with mom. In the message, she mentions the Koke‘e Music Camp. I immediately send her a message asking who her dad was, fearing the worst. Here is her response.
“Aloha Ken..my initial message I left on your website, www.makuakane.com, with the tub on the cover that says jump in. But my son; Iokepa graduated with your son Kawai from kamehameha schools and my dad came up for the graduation.He was talking to you that night. He went by Uncle joe or kepa. His name was Joseph kanakahelela Goo. He is chinese-hawaiian . 78 yrs old. My mom passed on unexpectedly 3 yrs ago and my dad struggled with that. He had heart issues and my dad went thru alot. His mind at times would fail him but he did all he wanted to do towards the last years of his life.That songwriting camp at Kokee…Dad went…for the past 3 years…I saw My old dad back when he told me about the fun he had at that camp and how blessed he was…..I saw My old dad back and it made me so happy. Dad had 3 girls. My younger sister is the hunter, my oldest sister is the party organizer…I am the sewer anf floral gatherer, in the 3 distinct girls he had. My mom was my father’s ‘Queen.” He missed her alot the past 3 years. He would always refer my mom as His Queen. They were acouple that stayed in love to the very end. 1 1/2 weeks after he went back to kauai after spending and seeing his grandson gradaute from Kamehameha, Dad suffered a massive stroke that He did not come out of. he is now reuinted with the Queen of his heart.To Akua they are forever. I miss him, but I find comfort knowing Dad is with mom. If you read the other message I left on your tub website…when I flew to Kauai when Dad went in the hospital and I stayed by his bedside till the Lord called him home that sunday 6/7…the next morning…I went to Kokee to spend the day and feel His presence. And that morning was beautiful..the mists was hovering over the liko trees and I found such comfort being up there….That camp for those days..made dad forget his health issues, his loneliness for Mom…it brought laughter to his heart…this meant a lot for me as his daughter as I saw dad’s tears and his struggle the past 3 years. I hope you remember him now….but I think you will….aloha Ken…Jo”
My heart just sank, reading this message. It was my friend uncle Joe I met a month earlier. My response follows.
“Of course I know your father. He touched me very deeply at the camp. We hung out a lot and he told me stories of Kauai and his kids, and his love. He wanted to write a song for her and now felt he had the tools to do so.
I was hoping the man that just passed on wasn’t uncle Joe. I’m so sorry. I really fell in love with him. At the camp we shared our hearts and we cried a lot. He wore the coolest Koa brimmed hat every day. Because we were at Kokee, he talked about your sister’s hunting tournament and felt it was the best one in the state.
Where is his resting place? I would like to go visit and sit there awhile. I am giving a lecture for Nathan Kalama at the Kauai Beach Resort on June 27th, so I can go in the afternoon.
I just checked my website messages and don’t see your message. I am so bummed. I tell you, the next best thing to watching my son at the graduation was seeing your dad again. We really connected and I felt such a bond with him, which is why I hung around to talk to him in the Exhibition Hall. He is still a special man and will live on, because he lives in us.”
She responds with this message.
“Aloha ken….Mahalo…mahalo.dad was just cremated and I just came back from kauai this past weekend. His celebration of life will be on 7/11 at Koloa mortuary (Borthwick 9am with service at 11am and luncheon to follow. It will be filled with music and hula. My dad loved his hawaiian music. he loved his ukuleles. His ashes are intern and he is with Mom’s…right now my youngest sister (the hunter) has their urns at home with her. We will intern them later. My sisters already had trips booked from last year and they are leaving this weekend so we decided to have dad’s celebration of life after when they come back….My dad – Uncle Joe was raised Niumalu-nawiliwili..thats why I had asked for your permission to use your song,’Ma nawiliwili’ for his background music of his slideshow. It has old pictures from the 1930’s how niumalu, nawiliwili and old boats coming and going back then…I will have it in his slideshow.
My dad’s love is all over kauai….from kokee when I went the next morning when he passed on because…I knew he found o much joy in May at that camp…and it was so beautiful that morning after….I went about 9am all the way to the top..and the mists was wrapping his arms around me…the morning sun was beaming thru above kalalau and the Liko lehua trees all welcomed me with their blooming fire,and I felt my parent’s love. I felt it that morning….it was beautiful. My tears started to fall but it was tears of joy knowing my dad was reuinted with “His queen.” They had an unreal relationship. SO in love all the way to eternal life.
My Dad was an awesome father..raising us 3 girls. I am the middle. A wonderful childhood my parents gave us girls on Kauai. Dad worked for Lihue plantation as a machinist then when to work for the state harbor division in Nawiliwili as the harbour mechanic where he retired.We were not a rich family, but my parents made sure we had a rich childhood filled with picnicking,swimming, opai catching, just wonderful memories.
Between my sisters and I, they were the more outdoors type and I liked staying indoors or at home learning to quilt and sew from my mom, so I was the last to learn to swim and ride a bike, but dad…I remember I would only swim clinging on to him…then one day at Huleia river (below my parents property by Menehune fishpond)He told me,..”Nette,”(my pet name from him)Dad won’t be always here, you’ve got to swim on your own soon…and I remember saying back (must been about 8 years old)But Dad, I’m scared of the deep, scared to let go.Well dad would put me in the water with him, and told me…Nette…I am right here in the water, don’t look at the water, always look up above the water and focus on swimming, well, I didn’t notice, but because I was focusing on his voice and looking above the water…I didn’t know my Dad had swam away and I was swimming by himself ….from that day on I was no longer scared of the water…and now..when my heart feels sad because I miss my parents….I can hear dad’s voice..now..”Nette..” don’t let your heart feel down…look up…Mom and I are watching you from above with Jesus.” So I can go on..
Ken….there’s that look out on the back road of Niumalu,its the menehune fishpond lookout. You go up that road and on the right you will see the look out that overlooks the menehune fishpond and Mount Haupu…that valley on the far right side after the fishpond is where our family property is. Beautiful place…private road 9acres.Dad is there but from that lookout…your eyes see Mount Haupu before you and the fishpond….there you can sense my Dad….or at Nawiliwili the kalapaki road where you can drive to the end and see the breakwater and where the ships come in. There’s a paved turn around, I parked there too this apst weekend and took a moment watching the waves come in…..heard music….heard wonderful ukulele music. Both of my parents played ukulele..i heard them playing in heaven…
if you should be on kauai 7/11 please let me know..would love to have you sing a song or 2….but if not Ken…..I am grateful…that techers like you take the time out to do these workshops….some go for the songwriting…some go because of the love of it…some go for the fellowship…My Dad went for all the reasons…..he is now being taken care of by Jesus….and he is no longer alone anymore.
You know….my son’s party is Aug 1st here on Oahu at 5:30pm -10pm. Please come you, your family, kawai. kawai knows my son kepa, they played JV football together till my son just focused on paddling. I would like you to come. My aunty Noelani and Alika and friends is doing my hawaiian music, but if you want to and can,you are more then welcome to sing a song or just come to share in this celebration. My dad told me..”Nette,can you invite Bro Ken & His family…” and I said dad of course..infact…I was going to make Kepa do a search fcebook for Kawai then dad passed on…so you were going to be invited…my dad just loved you….he came to Oahu and thats all he could talk about…I saw my old dad back….and I didn’t know who he was talking about until that night when I saw you….it means a lot to me…So if you can ….please come Aug 1st Saturday. My sisiters and family from kauai is bringing in all the food, hawaiian and local food….we will be having hula and I will have a memory moment for my father at kepa’s party on his slideshow…Aloha ken – Jo”
Uncle Joe passed away June 7, 2009 at the age of 78. He was the same age as my father who passed away on March 7, 2006, and just as beautiful to me.
For those who never knew uncle Joe, would only read an obituary saying ” Joseph Kanakahelelā Goo, 1931 – 2009. My purpose in writing this story is to let you know his life meant something more than just that “dash” between those dates. This man lived a full life, loved the same woman till his dying day, embraced his ‘āina with the same passion, then stepped into eternity. I hope this story will make you stand up and clap for a man who celebrated the breath of life to its fullest, then passed that breath on to people like myself, and walked into the sunset, just as his middle name suggests.
