Amylia-Rae Gandolf
He oli moÊ»okÅ«Ê»auhau Ê»o Amylia-Rae Makana Lani Gandolf.Ê»O Jose Garcia noho iÄ Julia KoÊ»omoa. HÄnau Ê»ia Ê»o Alexander Garcia Sr. he kÄne.Ê»O Alexander Garcia Sr noho iÄ Dorothy Garcia. HÄnau Ê»ia Ê»o Adrienne Malia Garcia he wahine. Ê»O Adrienne Malia Garcia noho iÄ John Robert Gandolf Jr. HÄnau Ê»ia Ê»o Amylia-Rae Makana Lani Gandolf he wahine.Ê»O wau Ê»o Amylia-Rae, third moÊ»opuna and only moÊ»opuna wahine of Alexander Garcia Sr. My name is Amylia-Rae Gandolf, third grandchild and only granddaughter of Alexander Garcia StrI wanted to start off by sharing my moÊ»okÅ«Ê»auhau, my genology, because I am proud to be a part of this Ê»ohana and I am proud to be Hawaiian. For 24 years, my papa was the strongest living, breathing, connection I had to my culture. And because of that, his story will always be one of the most important pieces of mine. Irregardless of where he was, on OÊ»ahu or back home on HawaiÊ»i Island, my papa was with me through everything. He’s probably one of the only people who didn’t have to be there, for me to know that he was rooting for me. He spent his life rooting for me. For all of us. Of course, living off island, the tangible time spent with my papa was often in increments - in between birthdays, college and high school graduations, award ceremonies, and most recently, promotions in my work - all of which I was happy to share with him over and over again just to hear the excitement in his voice when he heard that I was out there making something of myself.In every conversation, and after every shared milestone, papa would to tell me “you’re on your way Amyliaâ€. And I just want him to know that I still am. I’m just sore at the fact that now, my mind is the only place where I can hear you say it. And I’m going to miss that for the rest of my life. I love you, Papa. It’s been a long 10 years without grandma. But I understand that it’s time for you to begin your new journey and I’ll be sure to tell her, “you’re on your wayâ€.