KA'AHANUI

Ka’ahanui is a story about how one family’s selflessness, generosity, strength, and devotion to each other helped shape my life from a young age. Their deep dedication and strong desire to serve their family before themselves helped transform the way I view the relationships in my own life.

I first met Trent Kamai Ka’ahanui eighteen years ago. Through my friendship with Trent, I had the pleasure of meeting and becoming close with his immediate family, as well as many of his extended family members. It was clear from an early age that the Kaahanui’s were a special family. Their light hearted spirit and laid back demeanor made the family such a pleasure to be around. Their hospitable nature has always made me feel welcome and often times, part of the family.

Shortly after my friendship with Trent began, his father, Teddy was in a horrible car accident. After a head on collision with a semi truck, Teddy was initially pronounced dead at the scene of the accident but minutes later revived and brought back to life. Throughout his recovery, Teddy maintained his cheerful persona and continued to radiate nothing but positivity. Equally as tough through those difficult times was Lisa. Throughout Teddy’s recovery, Lisa continued to raise six children on her own while he spent months recovering in the hospital. Although the family was going through such a trying time, the amount of love and support they had for one another continuously showed their true strength.

Over the last eighteen years, my friendship with Trent and the Ka’ahanui’s has grown into more of a family. Throughout the years, I have not only grown to have a great appreciation for their family, but also their Hawaiian culture. As Hawaiians, they are both strong and proud, yet the most welcoming and humble group of people I have ever met. The generosity that they have continuously shown me over the years has been indescribable. Their desire to serve anyone in their family before themselves is unlike anything I have ever experienced. Beyond everything, the Ka’ahanui’s have shown me what family truly means and I am forever thankful that I have been lucky enough to be part of it.