A great sage passes

It is a difficult time here for me and many people in Hawai'i as news reaches us of the passing of "Auntie Nona" Kapuailohiamanonokalani Desha Beamer.   Nona was a founding board member of The Whalesong Project, and a close personal friend and mentor of mine.  My love for her goes very deep.  A short synopsis of her life "Islands have lost more than an auntie" in todays Honolulu Advertiser also features a video clip of one of her last public interviews on PBS Hawai'i. Nona has been a lifelong educator and activist.   She was a Kumu Hula, teacher (and dancer)  of traditional and modern Hawaiian Hula, for most of her long life.  She was consulted by world leaders, a friend of Eleanor Roosevelt, a collaborator with Pete Seeger, a representative of the Hawaiian People to the Dalai Lama this year.  She has stood up to presidents and congress people to address injustices.  Of ancient ties to royal lineages, she never spoke of this.  She always practiced aloha, kindness, humility.  A dark cloud and light rain hang over Maui today.  We send our love to the Beamer 'ohana.