'Oli

Lokahi felt the coolness of the la'i as she slowly ran her hand over the freshly picked leaf,  knowing she was with all-time and in the presence of past and futures to come.  She inhaled as she saw her mother as clearly as she saw Kawahinemahina, dressed in the colors of their family lineage.  Max stood to her left, Andy stood with the wool-wrapped makana.  With a smooth and powerful exhalation Lokahi began the 'Oli Kahea:

Ano `ai kou kakou mea ho`okipa la ea     
A me na mea hanohano                                  
Ke ho`ohiwahiwa `ia nei makou la ea         
 E hui pu i ka waiwai                                     
O kou kakou mau kupuna la ea                       
Ia hi`ipu`u ia kakou i ka lokahi                      
Ka nalu imi ia kakou mai kahiki mai la ea        
Me ke aloha nou kakou apau           

Greetings to our host and dignitaries
We are honored
to join the tradition
of our kupuna (ancestors)
that binds us in unity
We are the waves that come from a far off place
We come with love for all

It was her mother Kapapakeawe who beckoned, and welcomed them in traditional response.  The words of ancient people is as ocean remembers to crest into waves.  Celeste and Andy felt the transformation of their friend, aware that her 'oli had criss-crossed time.  Both girls felt the wave of mana rise from a woman they had heard about as if in legends, briding for them the possibilities that were up till today, a faith sight unseen.  They didn't need to see to believe, but seeing was definitely making a difference.  From his place beside Lokahi, Max winked from within this body neither girl had known.  Lokahi was in her own zone of reality and probably reckoned time through different eyes at this point.  Celeste instinctively reached for her ipod.  It was gone.  "Just as well, " she said to no one and everyone.  She knew it would be a challenge to remember and repeat what she was party to this day in Wailuku.  She returned the wink, with classic michieviousness and knew she would recall every word, every nuance.

The cement walkway climbed to the section that became more like the inside of the nautilus.  The shell like feel of the structure now included the sound of ocean waves, gentle, but powerful.  Celeste and Andy looked carefully at their feet to make sure they were still on solid ground.  It was difficult to be sure of where, or when they were.  Max spoke, reading their anxiety, as Lokahi and her mother moved steadily forward.  "This is the inbetween time.  Where there was solid ground during the Kapu the woman Kapapa was also my woman.  We were bound by the kapa, recognized as mates.  I have crossed time to be with her again, and to be with you and you, and ...Lokahi."