As promised, here is the link to the Soundcloud site where the audio file is open for the public free of charge.
https://soundcloud.com/captedenos/david-lyman-eulogy-by-norman-piianaia
This is Capt. Norman Piianaia speaking, a long time friend of Kawika’s. This took place at the Central Union Church in Honolulu, Hawaii on Feb. 6th, 2006. During the Service, there were actually three eulogies given. The first person to speak representing the Lyman Family, was Dave’s daughter Danielle. She shared words with everyone that were heartfelt and warm, as I’m certain the entire Lyman family would have done had they had the emotional strength to do so in the wake of Kawika’s accident.
The next person to address the overflowing crowd that filled the church and spilled out onto the lawn outside, (an estimated 1,200+ people) was Capt. Ed Enos. Capt. Ed represented the Hawaii Pilots Association and was mentored by Capt. Dave who spent years grooming Enos to pursue a Pilot’s job in Hawaii. The eulogy provided by Capt. Enos can best be described as a “warm up act” to what would follow.
Capt. Norman Piianaia’s eulogy was truly an effort that everyone in attendance would cherish the rest of their lives. Given in the tradition of the “Eight Bells ceremony” where a mariner is relieved of his watch to the sounds of the bridge clock, the eight bells signifying he is finished, he can now lay below for a rest. In this case, it’s the last time.
Piianaia’s recollection of Kawika’s life was a wandering voyage that took everyone through some unique Hawaiian maritime history, shared hilarious sea-stories involving Kawika and his many waterfront friends, his life at California Maritime Academy, Kawika’s adventures while he “shipped out” on deep sea vessels, and of course his time working as a Harbor Pilot.
The 35 minute long MP3 file is tough to hear at times, with the audio dropping out once in awhile. It doesn’t even start until Piianaia had already been addressing the crowd for a few minutes. Its is grainy and requires focused listening to hear. But it is all worth it. This file was only recently discovered by Gordon Piianaia, Norman’s brother. With his permission we are sharing this so everyone can enjoy this event for what it truly was. An incredible celebration of Kawika’s life.
“ … and that was the last time I saw my friend …”
Orson Wells, as Father Mapple, addressing the Whalers from his pulpit, before they set out to sea.
From the movie MOBY DICK, 1956