filed August 22, 2005:
E welina '69 ohana,

Nevah unpack the eke yet, still bursting with so much emotion from my four days on Maui. The Maui Hui did an outstanding job, everything was absolutely perfect. We were pampered every day, great accommodations, super ono food, one billion dollar beachfront, great musicians, priceless mo'olelo, and so much aloha shared among each other. Those of you that did not make it to Maui, you when miss out big time.

The Mauian Hotel is quaint and just a lovely place to stay. Plantation like setting, lots of grassy area, sweet plumerias in bloom, naupaka, even guava trees, an oasis among the touristy big bucks ritzy hotels. No tv, no phone, one real vacation, so relaxing. Sharing the sunsets with those you love, priceless. Watching the years drop away as groups of us frolicked on the sand and in the clear blue ocean, priceless. Smiles, laughter, hugs from arrival till departure.

Good so far, hah? Okay, I know you all waiting for hear the latest scoops. Hmmmmmm. I'll start by making one pitch for Richard Soo, he is available. Get good fire captain pension, has long care plan, have current second income, own his house. Lonely and available. Alexis, available, still shy, nice conversationalist, was real helpful setting things up, making sure everyone was comfortable, social butterfly. Bridget moved back to Honolulu, Wailua side, likes her freedom, working, looking for fun not commitment, you not fun, not party type, forget it.

Ni'ele sessions, yep had ni'ele sessions each night, we were asked to share what we did for the day. Olelo shared even extended into just pouring one's heart out and telling it all, that had everyone laughing: Walter bravely escorted the wahines to the Lavender Farm. He reported to the group that the women bought bottles and bottles of Lavender Love Potion, the shocked and delighted looks on the faces of their hubbys and boyfriends, priceless. Bobby Lou shared her grief on finding out that her bra size 40C was smaller than what she thought it was all these years and demonstrated how the sales person showed her how to lean over and jiggle herself to get the perfect fit, 36. Roy talked about Robbie's awesome black toilet, the Bismark, how big it was, and how he could sit on it and still see the toilet seat from two sides. He also shared how he when save up, then gave his all, that Ed, Robbie's husband, had to flush it a second time for get rid of it all.. (Hopefully he put one picture of it on our website. Roy is no longer shy, braddah letting go everything he was too shy for talk about before). Leighton sharing how he listened secretly to the Kolohe Red Papale Titahs alias Coyote Ugly meeting and overhearing them talking about how you can tell by the size of a man's hand, the size of his da kine. Leighton said when he when walk in the room they asked for see his hands and he showed us how he showed them his hands curled up into little claw like fists. There were menopause stories, confirmation by Gerald Lee's wife, that yes, he did take her hormone pills, and yes, his feminine side revealed itself and that the hormone pills did wonders for his personality. She said he was so nice and so understanding, so mellowed out. Can go on and on, there was so much laughter.

Mustang Sally, got to talk about Mustang Sally. It was played twice. First the wahine got up and gyrated all over the place to the loud cheers of the kane present. The women sat down panting and trying for breathe. Mustang Sally starts up again and up jumps Guy Helm grinding across the grass, gyrating his hips all over the place, taking off his shirt and swinging it around; BillieGirl's Leighton bumping and grinding, wrapping himself around the tent pool; Sam Alo gyrating with the biggest smile on his face, arms going every which way, looking and then finding his own tent pole to shimmy around. Was hard for try breathe and laugh at the same time, believe me. The kane gave it their all, trying their best to outdo the Mustang wahine. The other guests of the hotel, I am sure, probably thought we were all insane.

The Maui Hui outdid themselves. The days went by too quickly. Guy's wife, Mikihala and Robbie's hubby Ed, worked real hard everyday tirelessly to make things perfect. Ed surprised us with handmade gifts, quilted clutch bags and delicate blue and white beaded angels. Ed also baked the best baked beans ever, everyone kept going back for more. Mikihala even after running all around doing stuff for us all day long, found the energy to entertain us with her hula in the evening. Michelle, Robbie, Guy fine tuning things, running around checking on each and everyone of us, all day long, then practically tucking us in bed at night and then bright 'n early in the morning, greeting us with big smiles, coffee and breakfast. Eric Sodetani was helping around between going to work. Mahalo Eric for coming to the rescue with your flashlight and finding my lost amethyst stone. George Kahumoku giving his workshops, then entertaining us, with wife Nancy at his side, and his grandson Aaron dancing the hula. Keith Ahue's brother sharing with us the mo'olelo of the area we were in. Listening and looking a him, one could feel Keith's presence. Michelle's Raphael had a prior arranged fishing trip so he was really missed. Michelle said he had accumulated some new Portugee jokes for us, so I'm looking forward to seeing him at our next gathering.

I'm missing everybody now, was so nice to see everyone on Maui. Can actually put your arms around Roy and lock your fingers together behind his back now and hug him, he looks so good and healthy. He was the perfect MC. His unconditional feelings for us just overflows and surrounds you with so much aloha. Faithy, Roy's prayer partner, so devoted and supportive. Roy not shy about singing her praises and sharing his love for her with us. partner. Mahalo Faithy for making sure that Roy takes care of himself and for graciously sharing him with us so patiently.

Can't forget to mention the jam sessions, George K., Roy, Leo Cullen, Leo's wife, gracing us with her hula, DJ and da neighbor dat no longer the neighbor cuz he when move in (smile), Peter Medeiros, Debbie Davis, Glenda's hubby, so much beautiful, beautiful music. Can't forget the night swimming under the stars and the full moon, Coyote Ugly's, you go girls! Watching the golfers sending off their wives after breakfast on shopping sprees, then watching them happily pulling their golf bags to their cars, so excited to get to the golf course. Watching Blossom accept Randy's award at the Golf Award Ceremony and her shyly explaining that Randy no stay cause he when go buy more beer. Spence winning the Big Ball and he proudly showing it off. Gerald Lee winning the Blue Balls (thank goodness he has hormone pills at his disposal). We had 60 pounds of poi which was all eaten by Sunday brunch. George and grandson recycling. Walter and Janice giving massages. Lani wanting to hire attorney Kali and hold a trial to find her missing cup. Robbie recalling the mud slides in the valley, soaping up and us all sliding naked in the showers, yelling "warning" when we flushed the toilets. So much memories shared by everyone. Gordon N. showing up all dressed up, running next door for buy shorts, changing clothes and then relaxing. Me, I was kicking back and enjoying every minute, talking story, listening to the latest scoops, watching everyone having fun, just soaking in all the aloha.

Mahalo to all the spouses and significant partners of our classmates who tagged along and allowed our classmates to be themselves. Also special guests, like Glenda's friends who I think now have a deeper understanding of what makes Glenda tick. Smile. Hopefully they not going be scared for hang with us again. You are all so loved by us.

I'll close now, waiting to view the pictures that will be shared on the '69 web site. Love you all. It was so nice to give big hugs and receive them in return.

Next gathering possibly Waimea/Kohala 2006, then Molokai in 2007. Roy will be sending out an email on this. Heads up, Vegas 2006 may be set for another time, as majority requesting to return to the Big Island for our 55th Birthday. Roy will let everyone in on the scoops.

Nathan, you were missed. Everyone asked for you.

God bless and take care of each and everyone of you and your ohana.

Aloha,
Meliss