I still can’t believe that my brother is a college graduate! I still think of him as my “little” brother that tagged along, poked and wrestled with me and would fight over the TV remote every chance he got. Not only is he an adult, but he is a Naval Officer now. Whoa! We were all so excited to share this special day with my brother and that so many people made it for Kainoa’s big day. Uncle Larry and Aunt Lisa flew in from Minnesota and Kirk, Yoly, Erik and Jaden drove in from Midlothian, VA. Ke’alohi was so happy to be there that she even tried to match her uncle by wearing a little sailor dress!
The day started with all our family meeting in the hotel to hop on the shuttle to take us into the town near the campus. We found out in the morning that my cousin Kirk forgot his wallet (including his license) at home which was over 2 hours away so we were really worried that they wouldn’t let him on campus for the ceremony. The U.S. Naval Academy is treated like a military base, where everyone needs to show their ID to get on campus. Luckily the officer manning the front gate was so nice and let him on campus when he heard that we were all from the same family and there to attend Kainoa’s graduation and commissioning. There are strength in numbers (and puppy dog eyes)!
When we got to the auditorium the seating was still pretty open so my mom and I decided to split up on different ends of the stage so that we could get photos from all sides. By the time the service started, the place was packed with family, friends and fellow midshipmen to show love and support for the 11 men graduating and getting commissioned. There were a couple speeches made by senior officers at the Naval Academy, one of them made by someone Ke’alohi was trying to say hi to and flirt with. She kept waving and trying to talk to him that he actually stopped his speech and introduced her as a “future midshipmen,” a comment that everyone chuckled and laughed at. One of our families’ favorite speeches included a little blurb about the men and women graduating, going out and making the everyone proud so that there would be a gate named “Cumpston Gate.” It is a huge honor and something I’m sure my brother would love to happen one day so that he can leave a legacy there.
After all the speeches each graduating midshipman walked across the stage so that they could receive there diplomas. When each midshipmen walked across the stage, the family and friends were encouraged to yells, cheer, clap and make a roucus for them and boy did some people get crazy! Many people came for Kainoa, which was so cool to see and hear. The two boys that were on the football team probably had the rowdiest support group, so much that I had to snap of photo of everyone cheering them on. After all the midshipmen received their diplomas, it was time for the commissioning. One man was getting commissioned into the Marines and went before the rest were commissioned into the Navy. It was such a sight to see all the men in their crisp, formal, white uniforms with their hands up committing the next few years to the Navy and our country.
After all the midshipmen were commissioned, the Navy Officers dismissed them as officers and this is when the cool traditions happen. The first thing after all the congratulatory hugs and kisses were given was the changing of Kainoa’s shoulder boards. The shoulder boards are the black bars that snap on their uniform that show their rank. Now that the midshipmen are no longer students and are Ensigns in the Navy, there is a tradition that the girlfriends/fiances or parents of the midshipmen are the ones to change their shoulder boards for them. My parents were absolutely beaming with pride when they got to do this!
The second tradition that occurs after the graduation is when the Ensigns “buy” their first salute. One of Kainoa’s best friends, Scott, came to Kainoa’s graduation to give him his first salute. Kainoa and Scott have been friends since 7th grade at Kamehameha and both started at the Naval Academy in 2008. In 2010, Scott left school to do his two-year mission for the Mormon Church in Taiwan and just recently got back. Scott will now be completing his last two years of the Naval Academy and will be graduating in 2014. Now that Kainoa is an officer, he will be getting saluted by men and women lower-ranked than he, but the first salute is always the most special and was even more meaningful because it was from his best friend. Kainoa bought his first salute with a silver dollar that my parents got him that was newly minted for this occasion.
I have never been so proud of my brother as I was today. The U.S. Navy is very lucky to have such a great man fighting for them!
It really was an incredible day! We are so glad that you, Lucas and Ke’alohi were there to celebrate Kainoa’s very special achievement! Wow! Just think, we have two college graduates!!! Dad and I are soooooo proud of you and Kainoa!
Hello!
I’m not sure if you remember me or not, but I was on several of Kainoa’s soccer teams growing up. I occasionally saw your mom years later, as I was working at Foodland in Hawai’i Kai. She would always give me a hug and tell me how everyone was doing! It’s so cool to see that Kainoa graduated and to see photos of the event. I remember her telling me about Kainoa in the Navy!
Mahina, I have a distinct memory regarding an interaction we had! You would come to our Soccer Practices sometimes (not sure if it was all the time, or if you were there when Kainoa was being picked up), and you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I remember responding that I wanted to be a Lifeguard. You responded “I can see that”. You then asked if I could see you as [a particular occupation- I don't remember what it was, but for some strange reason, I think you may have said] a cheerleader. Do you remember that?
It’s quite the trip that I ended up on your blog. I was thinking about you and your brother recently, and I tried finding him on facebook, which I couldn’t because I couldn’t remember the last name. I then remembered your name and simply typed “Kainoa and Mahina” into google. Trippy, eh?
I’m in New York City now studying at Columbia University. I’ll graduate next summer with an M.A. in Higher and Postsecondary Education.
I hope you and your (new?) family are well.
Zachary W.
zkw2002@columbia.edu
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