Brian Choy
Dear Soo Kil, Renee and Regine,
I haven’t kept in touch with Iris in the past years.
My memories of her include her always asking if she could watch us making lei for the May Day Lei Competition. She would sit and watch and TALK. Sometimes, I would have to tell her not to talk to me since I was losing my focus on making the lei. But that was Iris - caring and loving to her younger cousins.
Regine, it has been so long since were kids talking at one of the Ho dinners in Kaimuki. We were the little boys talking to our older cousins. We actually know so little of each other. If you are still in town, lets get together. 955-1686 in the evening or [email protected]. We could at least catch up via email.
I remember your parents more.
Uncle Reginald often picked us up to pick guavas, lilikoi and avocado on Tantalus. Just the three boys - I don’t remember Iris or Regine coming with us. It was always a great adventure. I learned how to make jelly with the guavas. I still love lilikoi - making lilikoi chiffon pie or cheesecake with a lilikoi topping instead of lemon; I now have to buy the fresh lilikoi.
I remember meeting your Mom, Aunty Irene, at Liberty House. She always seemed to be stern and wary of us little boys. But she shared her pikake when I needed some sprigs of mature buds to add to my May Day lei. She taught Reyn how to make her ono kau yuk.
I apologize for not remembering Iris’s recent service. Being 70 and retired for 10 years, I have a routine every day - exercise at CHART, work on my jewelry, prepare my fabric for shibori indigo dying, organize my pots for the Studio Sale at Linekona and Temari, etc. I also help do the floral arrangements at the Honolulu Museum of Art (formerly Honolulu Academy of Art). I created and maintain a lei and cutting garden at Linekona.
And we travel! 2015: Rome to London, September 14-October 1. Japan, October 23-November 12. 2016: Galapagos, April 6-19; San Diego/LA, April 20-May 2.
Love,
Brian Choy