The Dawning And The Dreaming

Kaimi

Kanoa was the last to arrive, flying in all the way from the Nevada desert- probably the furthest place Kaimi could think of from the tropical island of their family's home. When she pulled up outside with red-rimmed eyes, Kaimi couldn't bring himself to pull out of the hug.

"Hey, Kay."

"Hello yourself, little bro."

Gruffness aside, Kaimi was glad to see his sister, and so was everyone else when the large family gathered at Grandma's house, everyone who was coming. They sat in the grass and talked, sharing stories as they carefully stripped vines or sewed a floral lei.

The occasion started solemn, but soon they were laughing as they exchanged memories. It had been a long time since many of them had seen each other, and celebrating the life of their grandfather, a man they had all known and cared for, and who had cared for them in turn, was something of a sorrow-sweet occasion.

A few days later, they met at the beach.

Each of them brought a canoe or surfboard, most lovingly crafted, and leis of maile, pikake, and ti-leaf. Those who could not or would not join them on the waters helped carry the boats and other supplies.

Kaimi went bare-chested, and Kanoa wore a loose dress in bright red and white floral print. She caught Kaimi's eyes and shrugged. "Is that the muumuu he made you when you left?" he asked, quietly, as he helped her get her boat into the water. Kanoa nodded. "Some adjustments have been made to the size, but yeah, it is. I thought it would be fitting."

The siblings shared a smile as they set out.

They formed a rough circle in the water, miles from shore. Grandma and the little cousins sat in a boat in the middle, with the ashes. Those in the circle join hands. Kaimi doesn't participate in the soft chatter, watching the waves and drifting flower petals instead.

Grandfather had been a good man. Always friendly and cheerful, giving out what he had to those that needed it. He wasn't technically all their grandfather, but everyone called him that, even many outside of the family, by virtue of both his position as patriarch and his wellspring of kindness that never seemed to run dry, even though access to its waters was never denied. He was old enough to remember the old days, when war and worry and greed had ravaged the oceans and the lands, and all the stories said that it was that which had made him kind. He learned to give in a world that only took.

Kaimi didn't know if he believed that, as he listened to the grandmother's words. All he knew was that he had died as he lived- with joy and with love.

His name might not be remembered. But the ripples of his life would be felt forever.

"His life was long and filled with hardship, yet also with great love and joy. He witnessed history time and time again, and made it better. Made us better. And now we know he is in a better place, whether here or somewhere else."

She poured the ashes into the ocean with surprisingly steady hands for someone so old. The ashes swirled and sank, leaden, beneath the waves, falling leaves and flower petals tracing the air and the water.

Laying his own leis in the water, Kaimi joined the rest of the circle, splashing water as high into the air as they could. A rhythm like a heartbeat of water and raised voices filled the air.

Cold covered his head as Kaimi plunged his head underneath the waves in a moment of impulsivity, and he came back up laughing and clinging to his board, water flinging out around him.

The circle shared smiles, split up, making their way back to the shore.

Kaimi made sure to join them in catching a wave or two together for all those who could not join them that day.

Together, they went home.