06/27/2023
I originally posted this tribute to Anakala Pilipo Solatorio on my personal page on 6/4/23. I decided to post on my business page because it reveals the truth of who I am, what I am committed to, and how I view myself as a healer.
Yesterday was a very sad day for me. My hanai brother, Jason Poole, messaged me that my beloved Uncle Pilipo Solatorio had passed away on Friday.
Uncle had been ill for awhile, and this was not unexpected. But I am heartbroken. Going over these photos brings back incredible memories - and many tears.
I met Uncle in 1998 during my first class trip to Hawai’i for advanced and master training in Hawaiian energy healing. This training was almost three weeks long that started on Big Island and finished on Molokai.
Meeting Uncle for the first time was a revelation. (Elders in Hawai’i are referred to as Uncle or Auntie as a term of respectful affection instead of Mam or Sir.) He was our guide on our hike through the sacred valley of Halawa. Molokai is not a tourist spot, and very few people hike Halawa. Uncle was born and raised in this valley. He told us of the tsunami in 1946 that wiped out the village at the mouth of Halawa. His voice choked up and his eyes filled with tears as he spoke of the friends and relatives he lost - even though it had been over 50 years. Uncle was never afraid to show his emotions. That is one of the big differences between Hawaiian and western culture.
He showed us remnants of ancient rockwalls and heiou (temple). I watched him apologize to a spider for disturbing his web. “Malama (care for) the ‘aina (land) and the ‘aina will malama you,” Uncle said often. We listened to him with rapt attention. Uncle noticed this, and said he wished he had people like us on every hike - we were really into his talk-story. We were trained to observe, listen, and not ask a lot of questions. We were also trained to respect kupuna (elders). Most people Uncle guided through the valley wanted to get the falls, then get back. They didn’t want to listen to his stories. Another big difference between Hawaiian and western culture.
When we reached the falls, he turned to me and said “Where you from? I tink you local girl.” I told him I was from de island of Chicago. Our class was all haole (white) - even my kahu (teacher). I was the one Pacific Islander. We connected deeply at that moment, and he took me under his wing whenever I was on Molokai.
At the end of this hike, Uncle and my kahu were standing about six feet apart. He turned to my kahu with tears in his eyes and a catch in his throat and said, “You were right. They were respectful.” Then they embraced. I think I was the only one who noticed this exchange. Deep healing took place for Uncle in that moment.
The Hawaiian people and the Hawaiian culture have been denigrated and disrespected since western contact - especially with the arrival of Christian missionaries. Hula was illegal. All spiritual and healing practices were driven underground, and taught in secret. It is a miracle that anything of the culture survived.
Anakala Pilipo Solatorio's life mission was to keep the Hawaiian culture alive - especially the culture of Molokai. Each of the islands has its own vibration and energy, and differences in their stories and histories. Uncle gave those tours and taught anyone who would listen about the unique culture of Molokai.
I have been SO blessed, so privileged to have spent time with this very special man. I’ve visited Molokai four times, and spent time with Uncle every time. I last saw him in 2004. We had breakfast together a few days after he had guided our class through the valley. He told me to come back soon because he was getting old, and didn’t know how much time he had left. It is my biggest regret that I was not able to get back to see him. He has meant so much to me, and I loved him so much. I’m heartbroken that I’ll never see him again.
There’s so much more I could say about Uncle. I observed him as a father, a grandfather, a husband - kumu (teacher). He has several hanai (adopted) children. He is a respected kupuna (elder), an icon. Anakala Pilipo Solatorio IS the heart, soul, essence, and ha (breath) of Molokai.
His legacy lives on through his son, Greg, who now guides the tours through Halawa, and through his hanai sons, Josh and my bruddah, Jason Poole. One of the great gifts of my life, is meeting Jason in 2009 in a backyard in Oak Park. He was accompanying the hula dancers with his amazing voice and ukulele. We discovered we had Pilipo Solatorio in common, and hanai'd each other. I was often jealous that Jason was able to spend months with Uncle, whom he called Pops. Jason speaks fluent Hawaiian, trained in Hawaiian falsetto by Uncle, and chosen to carry forward his musical and cultural legacy.
Dearest Uncle, how do I tell you what you have meant to me? You always made me feel very loved and accepted. You have been a guiding light, an example of how to live with Hawaiian values. I feel honored that you shared yourself, your stories, your aloha, and your aloha of Molokai with me. I feel honored that you trusted me. Who would I be today without that example?
You are free of pain now. And free to be with those you love anytime, anywhere - especially Auntie Dianna, the love of your life.
You will live in my heart forever and for always. And I too, will do my best, in my own way to carry forward your legacy, to share your stories - and to live Hawaiian.
Me ke aloha, dearest, dearest Uncle.
