Aloha No to Thomas Notley

We honored a fallen veteran during a morning ash scattering off the coast of Honolulu. The intimate group was met by a US Navy Honor Guard Service at Kewalo Basin / Ala Moana Park as the two sailors presented the family with an American flag. 

After the service, we headed aboard our 40' sailing yacht, Love Boat for a calm cruise out of the harbor and into the open waters off of Oahu. After we were a good distance out to sea the family silently said goodbye and poured the ashes into the serene blue waters. After marking the location visually with fresh rose and plumeria petals, we circled twice while our Capt. recorded the GPS coordinates before heading back into the harbor. 

We were able to capture the entire service through our optional photography service available for families to remember the special occasion. 

For more information on our ash scattering services and to schedule a cruise, please visit our site at www.HawaiiAshScatterings.com.

Aloha: Meaning and Application to Ash Scatterings

Aloha is a word you hear often in Hawaii. While many visiting Hawaii are taught that it means hello, goodbye, love, etc. it's true meaning is much more powerful than a simple greeting. 

In the Hawaiian language, Aloha is a very spiritual word. The word itself is composed of two separate words each of equal importance to the overall meaning. Alo meaning presence or essence, and ha meaning life. When you wish someone Aloha, you acknowledge the life inside of them. 

In our ash scattering services at sea we acknowledge the life that lives on through us all. In Hawaii, young children are taught about the Spirit of Aloha through a little saying:

Aloha is being a part of all, and all being a part of me.

This saying is oh so relevant during our ash scattering cruises, because all those in attendance have interacted on some level with the deceased, and through that interaction they have become connected. Our kahus, or Hawaiian ministers, often discuss our lifeline, our bloodline, and how through this our family will always live on through us. Through this we can find comfort that our loved ones will never be truly gone, because our memories of them imprint onto our lives and effect the way we move forward with others.

This creates a chain through which we connect with everyone, living out the definition of Aloha. 

Aloha No to Chieko Billick

Saturday morning we had the priviledge of taking out the Billick family and friends to wish Aloha No (a final farewell) to their friend and mother, Chieko. 

It was a gorgeous morning to say goodbye, as the sea was calm and the skies were clear. We cruised out aboard our 72' Motor Vessel east towards Diamond Head and were joined by Kahu Kale who performed a lovely service on the meaning behind Aloha and how all of us are connected through the Spirit of Aloha. 

Chieko was released in a lauhala basket, which to those of you who are not familiar, is a handwoven Hawaiian basket. After her release, her closest friends and family release long stem roses and loose rose petals to mark the location of her sea burial visually, while our Captain recorded the GPS coordinates. As we cruised back towards the shore Kahu Kale serenaded us with Aloha Oe and other Hawaiian melodies.

Sushi being Chieko's favorite food, her friends and family then proceeded to toss individual California Rolls into the ocean as one last celebratory toast of remembrance to a good life. 

For more information on Chieko's life, and to share as a part of her Online Living Legacy please visit her site below.

http://www.memorialsolutions.com/sitemaker/memsol.cgi?user_id=649224&page=profile

Military Honor Guard Service

Most of our American military veterans and retirees are eligible for honor guard services at their memorial service. It is a beautiful, solemn service that recognizes and honors the family and their memory of a fallen warrior. A funeral home supplied burial flag is unfurled, folded and presented by the Honor Guard detail to the next of kin. A single bugler will play "Taps" along with a firing party shooting a 21 gun salute.

To determine eligibility we'll need a copy of the deceased's discharge certificate and/or additional identification. Depending on years of service, rank and a few other factors the family may be eligible for the Presidential Memorial Certificate, chaplain services and the services above. Our staff will research for you and determine which honors your deceased family member may be eligible for.

By booking a private Hawaii Ash Scattering - Memorial Service Charter you will retain our services in coordinating a US Military Color Guard service adjoining our Harbor, 1/2 hour prior to your scheduled charter with us. Our fee for this service runs $200. All branches of the Military are available throughout the State of Hawaii and are often available with a short lead time. More scheduling lead time is necessary for Neighbor Island Honor Guard Services. 

Our Kahu or Hawaiian clergy can conduct a Christian or non-denominational, short shoreside service after the honor guard service or at sea prior to spreading the veteran's ashes in the ocean. The Hawaiian Sea Wreath was developed with our florist to provide a floating floral after the deceased ashes have disappeared in the ocean. Made of indigenous Hawaiian flowers and bio-degradable products it is a beautiful tribute to a loved one. Another unique tradition in Hawaii is the use of the Hawaiian pu'olu. Our florist will make a natural, eco-green urn around the veteran's ashes. At the appropriate location at sea the family member will place the beautiful pu'olu in the ocean, avoiding ash blowback and know that the urn will quickly bio-degrade on the ocean floor.