Aloha and welcome 2015

The joys of popping fireworks and ushering in new year with a bang has always been a great Hawaii celebration for so many years.  It has certainly been a Hopkins and Lucas family tradition for well over 50 years that we have safely passed down from our father’s generation to my generation and our children’s generation.  The firework ban a few years ago has certainly changed those traditions.  I’m sure it’s all for the better, but it has certainly been an adjustment for so many.

Each New Year we now somberly celebrate and pay homage to our great fathers life and passing.  Dad passed away on January 1 2008.  The humble quiet minister that touched not only our lives but so many other people’s lives throughout the Hawaiians islands.  Father Charlie as so many knew him, loved the new year celebration as a boy popping off things and making bigger louder explosions.  This continued to be was one of his favorite holidays throughout his life.

I write this note as a son’s way of continuing my eternal love for our dad and never forgetting the lessons of joy and goodness that we all learned from Charlie especially on this day.  Oia Mau No Ke Aloha Dad!  Hauoli Makahiki Hou!