Big crowd gathering for March for Science in D.C.

[Hekate]

23. My family moved to O'ahu in 1957 -- I didn't move away until 1979

My dad came on a Lockheed Aircraft contract, which ended after 8 years, the same year I graduated from Kailua High School. We returned to SoCal just in time for events like the Watts Riots. As the oldest kid, I was the only one who really could return, and after a few years of community college in California -- politically formative years-- I transferred to University of Hawai'i instead of UC Berkeley. I planned to stay forever, but, well, life has other plans.

Have not been able to return more than a few times, but despite everything, the 'aina is as beautiful as ever, and speaks to my soul.

When I read Obama's book during his first presidential campaign I could tell how much it had shaped him, irrevocably. He married into the African American community, but he is also a true keiki o ka 'aina. Any Hawai'ian would understand both parts of that.