Greetings from Florida,

My wife and I lived in Hawaii shortly after we married. She was there attending UH earning her Ph.D when we got married in June 2002 in my home state Alabama and a few days later she returned to Honolulu. She is Filipino by birth. I, like most Americans, am mix of different backgrounds, Native American, Scottish, German and more. We had met through the Internet in 1999 shortly before she moved to Honolulu from the Philippines. Our relationship developed while she was living in Honolulu and attending UH. So, in a sense Hawaii united us.

In August 2002 I went to be with her in Honolulu. What a place! After being there a short time I fell in love with Hawaii. One thing that I discovered while there was Hawaiian music. I often listened to Hawaiian105 KINE and found how beautiful and diverse the music is. One Hawaiian artist I often heard who became my favorite is IZ. For such a big guy he had a haunting and beautiful singing voice. I had since acquired several of his CDs. I was sad to learn he had passed away before I came to Hawaii. Yet, I was very pleased to lean he died as a true Christian. So, one day I know I'll get to meet him in the next life.

I was privileged, blessed and honored to have a job on the Battleship Missouri while living there. I recall when we had special events at the ship there was Hawaiian music at times. I remember often going down to the Hula mound in Waikiki and watching the Hula performances there each week. What beautiful form of dance. We even got over the the Big Island while there. Anyways, I could go on about Hawaii but suffice it to say I have wonderful memories of the place.

Another special reason Hawaii means so much to my wife and I is that our daughter was born there in July 2003. Out of honor for Hawaiian people and the Islands we gave part of her first name a Hawaiian one. Lani. The first half of her name is American Indian. Her name is Tehya-lani and she is a most beautiful girl. So in a way we have part of the Islands with us all the time.

For various reasons we returned to Alabama after my wife finished her studies and graduated from UH. To this day I have regrets we ever left. We currently live in Florida yet, I truly miss Hawaii just as my wife does. I'm not sure when we'll return, most likely it will be just to visit and not stay but whenever that occurs it will be when our daughter is old enough the see and learn and appreciate that special and beautiful place she was born.

Currently I listen to Hawaiian105 KINE through the Listen Live link by way of the Internet when I can. When I do so it brings back memories of the times we lived in Honolulu. One song in particular that I really like and stirs up the memories when I hear it is, Have You Seen These Islands. I truly hope to again one day.

DC L.