Laie Hawaii Temple

In July of 1966, one year after their Honolulu wedding, Dan and Mayone brought home their first baby, a daughter and named Lepeka Shannon. In February of 1967 when Shannon was 8 months old Dan and Mayone took her to the Laie Temple to be sealed as a family for time and eternity.
In June, 4 months later, their second daughter, Ofa Donita was born. 

The Corvair

During the summer of 1967, Dan and Mayone bought a car: a used green Chevy Corvair. After their July wedding and finishing summer jobs in Waikiki they loaded the Corvair with everything they owned and headed out to the North Shore to a new job for Mayone teaching elementary school at Ka'a'awa School and back to university studies for Dan at CCH.

Their first car was a 1962 Green Chevy Corvair

A few months later a cousin borrowed the Corvair and wrecked it on the Pali Highway going to Honolulu. Dan and Mayone then, coincidentally, took over payments on a red Corvair of a student who was returning to the mainland. This red Corvair was the family car when both Shannon and 'Ofa were born. The car later fell into disrepair (and a victim to island rust!) over the next few years and, of course, the family graduated to a bigger, more practical car!

Caught on Candid Camera! Mayone and Dan exchange a kiss while loading the Corvair with baby Shan and stuff. 

The first family car.

Waikiki Construction

In the Summer of 1965 Dan was walking on the street in Waikiki and passed a hotel construction site. He wondered if they needed a hard worker and so he asked them if they were hiring. The boss hired him and for the next 3 years Dan worked as a foreman on construction sites for hotels such as the Hilton Hawaiian Lagoon. This was the beginning of his career as a builder. Dan worked for many more years in construction than he did as an educator.

Honeymoon at The Waikikian

As if the marriage ceremony and wedding reception and luau were not enough, Cousin Danny arranged for a special honeymoon getaway for Dan and Mayone at the famous Waikikian Hotel just down the beach from Queen's Surf. The following pictures show why this historic hotel was so popular and unique.

Although closed in 1996 and demolished in 2005 the Waikikian is representative of
Classic Mid-century Pacific "Tiki" Architecture

The Waikikian was one of the 1950's, pre-highrise hotels that featured a new "tropical" architecture.  

The inside of a guest room at the Waikikian

The grounds of the Waikikian provided a paradise playground for guests

 Cousin Danny arranged for breakfast to be sent by room service and Dan and Mayone recall that this was the first time either of them had Eggs Benedict!

The Barefoot Bar and Surf Lanai

The "Barefoot Bar" was the signature bar at the Queen's Surf Restaurant. In the upstairs area of the restaurant, the bar and the Surf Lanai provided drinks with a view of the ocean, beautiful and comfortable furniture, and continuous entertainment and dancing, even into the wee hours of the morning.

Although Dan and Mayone were not drinkers and never went to the Barefoot Bar, we think that the 'Barefoot' theme of the bar has application to Dan and Mayone's love story.

On the way upstairs to the Barefoot Bar (as seen below) square tiles featured the footprints of famous people and local celebrities who visited the bar. This footprint exhibit remained and grew over the years adding stories and tradition to the life of the Queen's Surf and its bar.

And so it has been with the people in our parent's lives. They have come and gone, some quickly and some more slowly, but they have left footprints in Dan and Mayone's hearts that we, their children, have heard about many times. These people have become family legends because of the small and big ways they lifted, shared, and cared. The following quote expresses this sentiment:

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go 

and some stay awhile... 

but for those who leave footprints on our hearts 

we are never, ever the same." 

The comfortable lounge of the Barefoot Bar was called the Surf Lanai. Cane and wicker furniture with covered cushions of tropical fabrics made this lounge inviting and popular among locals and tourists alike.

Sterling Mossman was a regular performer and comedian at the Barefoot Bar.
 See the footprints on the wall behind him.

Shown here is the wall which lined the stairs up to the Barefoot Bar. Covered with the footprints of visitors from places near and far, the wall became a famous and treasured part of Queen's Surf.

The Wedding Reception and Dinner

After the 5:00 p.m. marriage ceremony at the Honolulu Tabernacle the newly weds and guests relocated to what was known to be "The Most Beautiful Restaurant on the Beach at Waikiki" ... The Queen's Surf.

Daniel and Mayone receive their well-wishers, mostly the Tongan community, now as man and wife.

Arranged by cousin Danny, the wedding dinner was served on the Garden Lanai as the sun sank into the western waters at Waikiki Beach. In this photo you can see the backs of Dan and Mayone who have just finished cutting their wedding cake and serving it up to guests. Guests are finishing their meal and visiting with each other as the torches are lit around the perimeter of the Garden.

Dan and Mayone's Wedding Reception and Dinner, Luau Style.

A 1960's advertisement 

Menu Cover from the Queen's Surf

A Menu Brochure inviting guests to try the Luau Dinner

Once a stately mansion, the grounds of Queen's Surf was a beautiful showplace and a perfect setting for a wedding reception.

Queen's Surf provided tourists and visitors with an authentic 'native feast' as well as other catered options such as "Surfwagon" dinners served at the water's edge and fried chicken and prime rib specialties. Night time drinking, entertainment, and dancing was a regular option until the wee hours of the morning. In the picture below, low-set tables are being prepared for luau guests who will sit on pillows and mats while they eat. Note the after-dinner coffee cups and saucers set to meet the tastes of the American tourist-diner.

According to Ian Lind, a reporter-blogger:

Queen’s Surf was built during the years 1914 and 1915, by Mr. & Mrs. W.K. Seering of the International Harvester Co., Illinois. In the year 1936 it was purchased from Mr. & Mrs. Seering by Mr. C.R. Holmes for his Honolulu residence. Mr. Holmes also owned the beautiful Coconut Island, which is located in the Kaneohe are on the windward side of the island of Oahu, in the Hawaiian Island Group. In 1945 the residence was purchased by a group known as the Capitol Properties, Limited. It was remodeled and made into an outstanding commercial location as pictured in the attached photographs. It is regarded as the most luxuriest commercial location in the islands. During the war period the residence was used as a rest home for young flyers. C.R. Holmes donated the premises for this use during the war period. Many of the flyers enjoyed the luxuries that were extended there. In the year 1944, during the war conference held in Hawaii by Admiral Nimitz, General Douglas McArthur and staffs; all of their time was spent in the residence now known as the Queen’s Surf.

http://www.ilind.net/2011/01/12/remembering-the-old-queens-surf/

Honolulu Tabernacle

The Honolulu Tabernacle is now a historic LDS stake building located on Beretania Street.  Completed and dedicated in 1941 President David O. McKay prayed that the building would sustain no damage during the war and it didn't. Over the years the Tabernacle has been an important place for helping many Latter-day Saints progress in the gospel. The building's many purposes and activities include church services and conferences, baptisms, instructional classes, and marriages. Danny and Esita arranged with their bishop to marry Dan and Mayone in a civil ceremony that would be held in the tabernacle's garden courtyard on July 31, 1967 at 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon.

Located on Beretania Street in Honolulu, this historic building is now over 70 years old.

Those who are familiar with the Honolulu Tabernacle will readily recognize the red louvered doors in the breezeway.
This wedding photograph taken in front of the red doors give the bride and groom a background to remember. 

Five o'clock shadows appear in the courtyard as the Bishop performs the wedding ceremony.

The bridal party and guests gather for a photograph on the front steps of the Tabernacle after the ceremony.

The Bride and Groom with their attendants.

The Wedding Cake

Dan and Mayone's wedding cake came for a local bakery, ordered by Esita we suppose. It was a two-tiered cake with pillars and white frosting. There was a decoration on the top with a small bride and groom. When one of the groomsmen picked up the cake and opened the box they teased Muli that the groom on top of the cake was a 'palangi' (white) man and NOT a brown-skinned Polynesian! It was a good laugh for all.

The cake was featured at the wedding luau on a small square table with abundant blue, yellow, and white carnations and ribbons.

The Hairdos!

The 1960's are remembered for amazing mid-century style including hair styles! Mayone is remembered too, for classic up-dos such as beehives, bouffants, and twists. We love these pictures of Mayone with great hair in the 60's.  

For the wedding, Mayone went to a beauty shop located next to the bridal shop on Beretania to get her hair done. They swooped up her blond hair in a lovely french twist which you can see faintly under her veil from the back. 

The Dress

Mayone remembers that once the date for the wedding had been set, Esita went shopping on Beretania Street in Honolulu. She found a little bridal shop and walked in. When she came out she had found a dress to suggest to the bride-to-be.  Mayone went to the shop the next day and tried on the dress. It fit perfectly! The shop also fitted her with a headpiece, veil and shoes to complete the bridal ensemble. 

Mayone says that Cousin Tolo came to the shop and paid  $120 for the dress,  a discounted price due to a small water stain near the hem!

The lines of the this dress are very close to the dress purchased by Tolo for Mayone. 

Wedding Colors and Well Wishes

Mayone says that her friends and other girls her age spent a lot of time planning all the details of their weddings. She was (and is still) amazed that although she did so little of the planning, the whole affair worked out far more perfectly than if she had planned and worried about it herself.

Mayone supposes that Esita decided on the accent colors for the wedding. Sky Blue and Sunshine Yellow were not only the wedding colors but seemed to be well wishes for a lifetime. Who wouldn't want to be sent into the journey of marriage with wishes for blue skies and lots of sunshine!!??!!

Blue brides maids dresses and yellow flower girl dresses.

Blue and yellow dyed carnations and ribbon can also be seen in the floral arrangements near the cake. 

Footprints on Our Hearts

Sometimes we don't know we're making footprints across someone's heart, but we are. 

By small acts of kindness during important times of a another person's life we often (and sometimes unknowingly) become part of  special life events and we are remembered long after the moment

because of the role we play in their story.

This post is about a few more interesting personalities that played roles in the beginning of the love story of Dan and Mayone.
They have been remembered and fondly wondered-about through the years. 

Wilson Fatafehi was a friendly Tongan who came from Fiji. He was introduced Daniel and Mayone to each other.
Wilson left CCH to play football at University of Hawaii.

Milly Teruya was Mayone's roommate at Church College of Hawaii 1963 when Mayone was dating Dan and then again during Summer School in 1964 at BYU in Provo when Mayone received a ring in the mail from Hawaii. Mayone and Milly lost touch after the wedding but (thanks to facebook) we found her! Here is what happened to Milly after she was Mayone's Maid of Honor: Milly finished school in the mainland, married and had two sons, and worked as a paralegal in the San Francisco bay area for 25 years. She is now retired and moved home to Maui three years ago. 

Sione Hafoka Moa was living in Honolulu at the time of the wedding.
He was asked to be the best man because he was Dan's cousin. He went on to marry and have children.

Brother Reed Garfield, a former missionary to Tonga and a teacher at Liahona High School where Muli went to High School. Later, he worked at Church College of Hawaii as a counselor and advisor. He was a mentor to Daniel for many years and helped him decide to major in  Biology. When Dan and Mayone decided to marry, they asked Brother Garfield to 'give the bride away' since her own father would not be present. 

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother: The Kinikini Cousins

Few people know that Dan and Mayone's love story is also an immigration story...

and a story about the meaning of family, 

and a story of brotherly love and sacrifice. 

It's a perfect example of brother helping brother in a time of need through selfless service and charity. It's a story of goodness inspiring goodness, 

of embracing a stranger, 

of living the best of the Tongan culture, 

and living the essence of the gospel of Christ.

Cousin Danny

Taniela Kinikini is Muli's first cousin. Their fathers Muli and Vaiokema are brothers. 

Taniela left Tonga in 1961 to attend Church College of Hawaii. A year later he brought his wife "Esita" (meaning Esther) and infant son to join him.  "Danny and Esther" lived in Honolulu in the Summer of 1965 where Danny had found work with the Spencecliff Corporation which operated a chain of popular restaurants catering to locals and tourists. Danny worked his way up in the company and was, by that time, managing restaurant properties. Danny and Esther were known to always have extended family members living with them as they brought their families, one by one, to America.

Cousin "Danny" pictured during his days employed with Spencecliff Corporation, Hawaii 1960's.

When Danny knew that his younger cousin Muli (who was  now going by the name of Taniela) had found a girl he wanted to marry, he didn't hesitate. He and his wife Esita opened their arms and their hearts to Muli and Mayone, two young people in love, and encouraged them to not be thwarted, but to move forward with their plans to unite themselves in marriage in spite of being far away from home and lacking support and understanding from their parents and families. 

Danny and Esita, with four young children and a baby on the way, threw themselves into plans for making a dream wedding come true for a blond, Utah girl they didn't know... and her island sweetheart. 

Danny and Esita Kinikini with young sons Danstar and Sam. Early 1960's.

Danny and Esita left Hawaii in 1969 and spent a number of years in California. Then in 1975 a strong feeling  inspired them to move to a small town in Idaho where they finished raising their family of 6 children and where Danny worked for many years as a truck driver. As before, they attracted extended family . In spite of suffering a stroke in his 40's, Danny rehabilitated himself, returned to work and later four missions with his wife Esita. Today, 40 years later, Danny and Esita still live in Nampa, Idaho with several of their children near by and lots of grandchildren and now great-grand children who visit frequently. 

Esita and Danny have been able to travel and enjoy visiting family and friends in many places. 

Danny returns to 'Uiha, his ancestral island, after more than 50 years.

Danny and Esita, 50 years later.

Danny and Esita's grown children today.

Cousin Tolo

Cousin Tolo, was a good friend and brother to Muli while at Liahona. An excellent dancer and musician, Tolo was able to make money performing for visitors at the 'boat shows' and would share with Muli and others his cash earnings.

When they got to Hawaii there was still sharing and caring between brothers. Tolo had his wife Manu and several mouths to feed back home in Tonga during the summer of 1965 yet, he contributed his time and money to the wedding preparations for Muli and Mayone.
Mayone remembers that it was Tolo who came and paid for her wedding dress from the little shop on Beretania Street.
Cousin Tolo and his wife Manu has both passed on but their posterity has grown!

Cousin Fehi

Fehi and her brothers were leading the way of immigration for the Kinikini family. Fehi had married and was due to give birth to her first child during the Summer of 1965. Young and beautiful, Fehi smiles warmly in this picture surrounded by children at Muli and Mayone's wedding party.

With Fehi are two flower girls and various young guests at Dan and Mayone's wedding luau.
Three boys (left and center) dressed alike are Danny and Esita's boys Danstar, Sam, and Moses.
Baby in arms (on left) in white is Baby 'Ofa 

 The 1960's hit "He ain't Heavy" by The Hollies reminds us that it's a long, long road and that while we're on our way there, concern and sharing is part of the journey that brings joy. Our family feels a deep gratitude to our Kinikini cousins for helping Mom and Dad get such a positive start on their life together. Truly, these cousins have exemplified the meaning of FAMILY and of the word BROTHER. 

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

The Hollies, 1969

The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows when
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

So on we go
His welfare is my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another

It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

He's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother...