Chapter 10
Kono had just finished a breakfast of fruit, malasadas, and coffee, lots of coffee, when he was jolted out of his thoughts by the insistent ringing of the phone. He found himself hoping it wasn't Steve. He wasn't ready to face the boss just yet.
"Kono?" a familiar voice said, breaking the tension. "Are you going to the Governor's speech this morning?"
Danny! The big detective smiled in spite of himself. "You need a ride, Kaikaina?"
"I don't think I should be driving . . ."
"And Steve will be mad if you try!" Kono finished the thought. "Got to pick up my Uncle Akanahe. I'll get you first, den go over there."
He could almost hear the relief in his young friend's "Mahalo, Bruddah!" He sensed something else in Danny's voice, but he couldn't quite identify it.
o-o-o-o-o
Kono's thoughts were in a whirl as he knocked on his old uncle's door. It swung open and his eyes widened in shock.
"Kimo! Little Cuz!" the Hawaiian cop was reduced to stuttering in surprise. "What . . .What you doin' here? I thought you were in jail! How . . .? What?"
Kimo laughed, then pointed to Danny. "Ask him!"
Kono spun around to face his smiling colleague. "Give, Bruddah!"
"Mrs. Jameson and I talked to Steve and the Governor yesterday. We told him how Kimo helped us escape. He probably saved your life by taking the bullets out of Maleko's gun." Dan grabbed his friend's arm. "The Governor released him last night. He'll be staying with your uncle."
"I'm gonna study our traditions with him," Kimo added. "And go to school to learn how to protect our land and its history. With knowledge and the law, not with violence"
"He'll be a good student, maybe a Kahuna someday." Akanahe put his arm around his young nephew's shoulder. "Now let's get goin.' You don't want to miss the Governor's talk!"
o-o-o-o-o
As the four found their seats on the chairs spread over the Iolani Palace lawn, Danny caught Steve's eye. The lead detective gave his young second an "It's going to be OK" look as Governor and Mrs. Jameson took their places on the speakers' platform.
Jameson stepped to the mic. He smiled, then began, "Good morning." He paused, then went on, "Welcome to all of you. Before I begin, I'd like to turn the microphone over to my wife." He motioned for Patti to come forward.
The popular First Lady was greeted with applause and cheers as she remarked, "Aloha, my friends. Today, I want to thank the men who risked their lives to save mine, Kono Kalakaua and Dan Williams of Hawaii Five-O. For Kono especially, this was a courageous decision, to put duty ahead of his family, not just for my sake, but for the sake of Hawaii and her people. You have my undying gratitude." She stopped, tears filling her eyes, as cheers erupted in acknowledgement of the officers' courage.
Patti held up her hand for silence. "There is one more person I want to thank." She looked directly at the now blushing Kimo. "Kimo Kapule. This young man chose to follow his conscience instead of his brother's path of violence. He is a true hero."
Patti smiled as applause thundered over the crowd. With a soft, "Mahalo, my friends," she left the platform and hugged her rescuers. Her actions said more than any words could express.
Jameson followed his wife, shaking the men's hands and slapping them on the shoulder. "I'll always remember what you did. You have given me back the greatest treasure in my life. Mahalo, my friends."
He returned to the mic and began to speak. "My wife Patti speaks for both of us. I can only say 'Mahalo' for your courage and your dedication. You are among Hawaii's finest and bravest, all three of you." He took a breath, then unfolded a well-worn paper.
"I first came to these Islands during the war. I fell in love with the land and its people and chose to make my home here. I fell in love with an Island girl, born and raised here, who became my wife, the mother of our children. These Islands are our home and hold a special place in our hearts. They are sacred to us as they are to you."
He looked out over the now silent crowd and continued, "Today, I signed a bill returning a sacred site to the people of Hawaii, all the people of Hawaii. This land, once a heiau dedicated to healing, will now be a park open to all to enjoy its beauty and peace. It is yours, yours and Hawaii's. May it be a sign of healing for all of us."
He stopped as applause rang out. "That is not all, " he continued. "It is our responsibility, our duty to the 'aina we hold as sacred, to preserve our land, its traditions, its heritage. We can do so only if we work together. I have asked Kahuna Akanahe Kalakaua to help in this. You know him as a descendent of royalty. I have come to know him as a man of great wisdom who, together with others from the many peoples who call these islands home, will work to preserve our sacred land for ourselves, our children, and our children's children. I thank him for his support and his willingness to serve our people in this task. The road will be challenging, but the journey will be worth the cost. We can - and we will - work together in this endeavor. The land will thank us as I thank all of you for joining in this effort."
Silence held for a moment, then cheers and clapping broke out-for the Jamesons, for men and women of courage and vision, for Hawaii.
Kono, stunned, turned to his uncle. "You knew! That's why you wanted me to come with you."
"I knew, Nephew. We can save this land only by working together." He studied the detective. "So what you gonna do? Your work with Five-O is one way to save the 'aina and the bigger ohana. What do you decide?" His gaze moved from Kono to Danny and Kimo.
Kono remained silent for a long minute. Danny held his breath as he looked intently at his friend. One word from Kono would either change their lives or restore balance. He waited.
"Five-O's part of my life. I'm gonna stay. Can't leave my ohana." He smirked, then nudged Danny slightly. Besides, who's gonna keep the kaikaina here out of trouble?"
"I thought that was Steve's job," Dan teased. "C'mon—let's find him and Chin. He's probably got another case for us already!"
PAU