Hawaiian Word of the Week: 'oihana koa

military boats docked at pearly harbor, oahu.

Yesterday was Veterans Day and I spent the day thinking about my family members who have served or are currently serving in the military. 

Hawaii has a rich history as part of the United States Military. We remember December 7, 1941 and the bombing at Pearl Harbor. Today, when on Oahu, I go to Pearl Harbor and pay my respects to those who lost their lives in that bombing. I am still in awe when I go and see the USS Arizona underneath the water..imaging what personnel on the boat were doing at the time of the bombing,  how their friends and family found out about their loved ones fate, and even those who might still be searching to understand what happened to their loved one. 

We are extremely lucky to live in the United States and to have the freedoms that many other countries do not have. Our military protects those freedoms…and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Mahalo to all who have given us ‘oihana koa (pronounced: oy-ha-na koh-ah), or military service. We are indebted to you all. 

Our ohana on Maui still needs us. Please consider donating to help the relief efforts on Maui.

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