Aloha to all our family and friends!
It¹s hard to believe that the year 2002 has come to an end, and that
it¹s time to celebrate the new year, 2003. We¹d like to share a bit of our
year with you to help you get caught up with all that has happened with the
Kekoa Ohana this year. Thank you Jesus for your love, protection and
blessings.
Our family christmas tradition is to gather two or three days a week in
the evening, where we sing the carols and fun songs, with all the lights
out, around the Christmas tree. Then one of the children is selected to
turn the tree lights on after the great countdown. Much fun! We open our
gifts to each other and watch our children's¹ faces light up. What a joy! We
remind ourselves that it¹s not the Christmas tree, not the presents we give
or receive, not even St. Nick. The real purpose of Christmas is to celebrate
the Birth of Jesus, who is the reason for the season. May we all have a fun
filled Christmas celebration with friends and family and be thankful God has
given us another year to celebrate life in Christ.
Christmas 2001 was very different for us as a family. Kordell, Tymmie,
their 4 kids, and Aunties Kea, and Alex, left for the mainland to experience
real falling snow. They headed up to Big Bear Mt., and had to stop half way
up to put chains on the van. Let me tell you, you haven¹t laughed until
you've seen these Hawaiians trying to figure this out while freezing, and
trying to read the directions by headlight! You know the cars speeding by
were cracking up! Ku'ulei (4), got to build a snowman and ride a sled,
Kamanukea (9), and Kaena (5), easily mastered the skis, while Aukai (10)
shredded the slopes on snowboard! They had a blast! They all spent
Christmas Day in Disneyland and were pleasantly surprised to see everything
draped in Christmas decorations.
While in California, Kordell got to march in the New Year¹s Rose Parade
in Pasadena with the Kamehameha Schools Band. He made it on national TV - a
regular celebrity!
Kristen and I spent New Years Eve watching our neighbors blast fireworks
in the sky. They live across the street, so we had a great show while we sat
comfortably in our own front yard. When it was over, I helped clean the
road of firework debris. Ha, good fun!




HOTCH AND NANCY KEKOA¹S OHANA
What happened after New Years Day 2002? Let me share with you.

HOTCH

At the end of October, I was hospitalized and held in the Critical Care
Unit for about 2 weeks. My blood pressure was very low, and I had an
irregular heartbeat which required a "shock" like you see on ER. They gave
me a diagnostic test which revealed some damage to the heart, but all the
blood vessels and arteries were clear. Thank you Jesus, I won¹t need a
bypass! The doctor said I had had a mild heart attack or stroke at some
point, but I must have been too busy to recognize it at the time. What? Me
not slow down? HA! HA! I¹ve been taking my medication, and expect to be
back to 100% health soon. Watch out then gang! I thank my Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ, for family and friends who took time to send me "Get outta
there cards", letters, prayers and visits. Like the Psalmist says: "Lord,
my times are in your hands." I thank Pastor Charlie and my extended family
in our Kailua Church of the Nazarene for they are a special group and I
thank God for their support, love and prayers during my time of
recuperating. God is good all the time!.
I am still enjoying my retirement and having lots of fun. My only
problem is that I now have the time to begin all the projects I¹ve had in
mind, and tend to start new ones before completing others. But, I guess
that¹s okay because . . . . .now I can!!!
One thing that does remain constant is my 5 a.m. appointment. Each
morning I begin the day in prayer with some of the brethren in the church,
gathering at the foot of the cross, to bear the needs of friends, family,
the church, the nation and the world. I look forward to that special time
with them and the Lord. I praise God every day I awake to find that He has
given me another day to live and witness for Him and one day closer when I
will be in His Presence. Whoa! Chicken skin (goose bumps) man, especially
when you know He is coming back again to receive us unto Himself. We serve
an awesome God who is worthy of our praise!
I am grateful everyday for the privilege of being with our children and
grand kids. Since I am into the habit of calling them "ours," people think I
must have remarried and never told them, HA! Though Nancy is not here these
are still "our" kids and not mine alone. Remember it takes two to tango and
it takes two to bring kids into the world. Get it? HA! HA!

KENNETH EDWARD

Ken, our eldest son, returned from Colorado Springs where he attended
the Nazarene Bible College in preparation for the ministry, and decided to
complete his studies through our district ministerial program. It is such a
joy to have him home because he's a big help to me. He works in the Security
Department at the Kamehameha Schools from 11 pm to 8 am, keeping the campus
and those on campus safe. He usually has Wed. and Thurs. off, so when he
goes to Honolulu to run errands, I usually jump in the car with him just to
get out of the house for awhile. This is a good stable job for Ken, and I
give God the praise and glory for always providing what we need. Ken has
become quite a genius on the computer, and is busy maintaining the Internet
web sites for the Nazarene churches here in Hawaii. He created our family
page at www.Kekoas.com which you might enjoy visiting from time to time.
Here are our personal e-mail addresses that Ken made for us:
Ken@kenschmidt.net or kea@kealani.net or hotch@kekoas.com. Kordell will be
hooked up soon with his home computer (kordell@kekoas.com), but can be
reached in his office at: Kokekoa@ksbe.edu. Please pray for Ken and his
future that he will follow through on his calling into God¹s ministry.
The Lord is still in control and able. Bless His Holy Name!
Ken currently is serving in ministry at the New Hope Christian Fellowship,
In the area of "Front Row" or stage management and "Sound"!
He really enjoys this involvement in Ministry and believes God has led him to this Church to use his gifts!
Folks are coming to Ken for advice and help with their computers and
just imagine, he never even went to school to study electronics or
computers. He taught himself and it seems to just come naturally to him.
Really good, man.

KEALANI EDITH JAYNE

What a joy Kea is to me, always checking up to see if I I'm ok. In
fact all the kids do. Thank you Jesus for children like ours. Kea still
teaches music at Holomua Elementary School which is in Ewa on the leeward
side of the island. She enjoys teaching music there to 1,300 students,
grades preschool through 6th grade. She also leads a performing arts group
of 4th-6th graders who just completed a season of winter concerts in malls,
hotels, and school assemblies. Kristen and I caught one of the mall
concerts and had fun watching them. Kea received many compliments for the
quality of music and the obvious joy that the students have when performing.
Good job!
Kealani continues to volunteer at her church, New Hope Christian
Fellowship, Oahu. With 9,000 in attendance at 3 different sites, as the
drama director, she keeps busy making sure all the sights are manned with
actors and directors who put together a powerful sketch that will set up the
message. She sings on the worship team, leading the vocal rehearsals on the
weekends that she¹s on team, and loves every minute of service to her Lord.
"When I think of the extent Jesus went to to show me how much He loves me, I
am energized to give Him my life and to serve Him with the gifts and talents
that He has blessed me with."

ALEXANDRIA KAUHINI

Many of you know we¹ve had our Alex since she was in the 7th grade
or so. She is such a part of the family that we don¹t know what we would do
without her. When Hurricane Iniki hit Kaua¹i in O92 , she came home from
the mainland and was a tremendous help to Nancy and I. She is such a
blessing and a joy.
Alex keeps busy dividing her time between teaching 6th grade at Aikahi
Elementary, volunteering at New Hope, and taking on new projects. She too
is involved in her church as a member of the drama and vocal teams. Both
Alex and Kea are also on the program team for New Hope whose responsibility
it is to craft songs, dances, drama, art, testimonies, and any other
elements they can find, into a package that will set the hearts of the
people to receive God's word.
Alex is proud of the fact that she learned to snowboard during their
family trip to the mainland last Christmas. She was an avid skier while
living in California, but can now call herself a "snowboarder". This year
marks Alex¹ TV commercial debut. She just completed filming a voice over
and an on camera shot in 2 commercials against physician assisted suicide,
which should air in the next couple of weeks. Since Sept., Kea and Alex
have been in a Community Production of the "Fiddler on the Roof". Although
it was a very rewarding experience, they are excited to do their last
performance and get back to life as they once remember it.

KRISTEN KAPUALEILANI

Kristen is our "worry wart" for dad. She is such a compassionate and
caring girl. Sometimes if I cough or blow my nose, she will ask, "Are you
ok?" or she¹ll put her arms on my neck and say, "I love you, daddy." Seeing
me in the hospital was tough for her, but she was there to break me out and
was very happy to take me home!
She is attending an Adult Day Program that is located just a few minutes
away from our house. She seems to enjoy her class and when she cannot make
it to school they miss her a lot. I¹m not sure if she¹s the "clown" of the
class but somehow those people come alive when Kristen is there, ha!
She loves her music and videos. "Fiddler" is the biggie this season.
When we¹re at home, she¹s playing the video. When we¹re in the car, she's
playing the CD. She knows every lyric and every line and could easily join
Alex and Kea on stage. She could even play all the parts - a one woman
show!
For her 39th birthday this year, she had her heart set on karaoke. She
loves hearing her nieces and nephew sing, and sang a few songs herself. Some
of her favorites are I Say a Little Prayer for You, Rainy Days and Mondays,
Top of the World, and literally all songs by the Carpenters. We are
thinking of having a "Big Blast that will last," for her 40th. Got any
ideas?


KORDELL, TYMMIE, KALANIAUKAI, KAMANUKEA, KAENA AND KUULEI

It is said, "The last is always the best." I think so, HA! That¹s
Kordell and his family. What a fun time we always have when we get together.
No such thing as dull moments. Thank You Jesus!

KORDELL CHARLES LANAKILA
As you may or may not know Kordell was elected Senior Chaplain for the
Kamehameha Schools. He is busy with the responsibility of carrying on the
spiritual aspect of the school. In this position, he is frequently called
on to do blessings and dedications for prominent people, businesses, and
agencies around town. On many days, if we wanted to catch up on Kordell's
day, or wanted to know why we couldn¹t get ahold of him, we'll just turn on
the 6:00 news and find out what he did that day. Then on Sunday, December
1st, he was officially installed as pastor of the Bishop Memorial Chapel.
I was honored to be asked to do the invocation for the ceremony. What a joy.
Thank You, Jesus!
Kordell did the blessing of the office for Linda Lingle, who was running
for Governor of Hawaii, and on Nov. 5, won the election.
Then she asked him to do her inaugural prayer when she was installed officially on Monday, Dec. 2nd. Wow, what a testimony for Jesus.
Since Kordell¹s birth, the Chaplaincy has been Nancy¹s "dream" for him.
Knowing his heart for Christ, she knew he could make a difference in the
lives of these children and their families, and ultimately for our state.
She would be very proud of him today.?


TYMMIE LEINAALA KEALA

Tymmie is our busy-as-a-bee mother trying to raise 4 kids and helps her
husband in his ministry. When school is in session and kids are on campus,
they usually attend services on Sunday at the chapel with Kahu (Pastor or Reverend) Kordell.
Tymmie is on the Nazarene Youth International Council on our district as
Ministry Director. She and Kordell are on the school board at Honolulu First
Church where Kaena, their daughter, now attends. They are busy with the
children¹s extra-curricular activities as well as school work. I remember
Nancy and I had to adjust our schedule to be able to participate with our
kids, support them and their activities. We wanted to support them as they
did the same for us. Wow, Thank You Jesus that's over.
Tymmie¹s mom, "Gene" passed away in February and we pray for Sam, her
dad in this adjustment period. She and the family often check on him at his
house in the country and we get to see him when the grand kids are doing
something special in school and we are all invited.
I am very thankful and appreciative of our daughter-in-law, Tymmie. She
is truly a blessing and a joy to me. She and Kordell, Kea and Alex took care
of Kristen while I was in the hospital.
KALANIAUKAI

Kalaniaukai is preparing for the 7th grade next year at Kamehameha. This
is his last year to sing with the Children¹s choir since the choir is
composed of 4th to 6th graders. Our family has had opportunities to hear and
enjoy many performances by the choir. They went to Japan and had opportunity
to sing for the families of the men that died in Hawaii on the Ehime Maru
when a US submarine tore their ship in half and most of them drowned. The people of Japan were pleased with the choirs¹ performance.
The choir sang a few songs in the movie, "Lilo and Stitch." Their names
appear on the credits at the end of the movie. If you get to see the
movie you will see his name, Kalaniaukai Kekoa. Eh, man button poppin time again!
Aukai, Kamanukea and the children¹s choir will be performing at the UH football game on Christmas Day.
At their Christmas program Aukai played the drums, with the school and jazz bands.
His dad Kordell accompanied the orchestra with his bass guitar.
Right on Kai!!! and KC

KAMANUKEA

What can we say about our precious "Princess Kamanukea?" She is still a "ball of fire" and a "cloud of dust," at home and school.
We love her and thank Jesus that she is healthy and strong.
She sings, with Aukai, in the Kamehameha Schools children¹s choir and
was selected to sing solo at the Waikiki Christmas Concert before a live
audience of hundreds of tourist and locals.
Too good, Princess. Whoa, there go the buttons poppin' again.
She is doing good in school and they get to see their uncle Ken, almost
everyday as he is with Security on the Kamehameha campus. If Jesus wills
and the creek don¹t run dry, I may be able to see them graduate from high
school. That would be a joy for their tutuman! Jesus Shalom. (Amen or let it be so!)
Kamanukea and Aukai participated in Grandma Keala¹s coronation service
in February that grandma requested be held at the Kamehameha Chapel, with her son-in-law, Kahu Kordell officiating.
As we mentioned at the beginning our grand children all learned to ski
while in the mainland. Their Aunties Kea and Alex are good at skiing. They
lived in that "white stuff" for many years and they enjoy skiing. Someday I will need to tell you of my escapade on skis, ha.

KAENAONALANIOWAIANUHEA



"Ena", as she is called attends first grade at Waiolani Judd School at
Honolulu First Church where Kordell and Tymmie are on the school board.
She is our "quiet one". Very shy but loving. She is the child born a week after
Nancy¹s passing and carries her "tutu" lady's name, Nancy. Whenever she
celebrates her birthday we know that's how long Nancy has been gone. Smart
huh us guys, ha! She is a lot of fun and pretty independent. She enjoys
going to school, singing, dancing, having fun and is doing well. We look
forward to the time when Kaena will be attending Kamehameha Schools with her
sisters, Kamanukea, Kuulei and brother, Kalaniaukai.

KUU'LEIHO'OHENOMAKAMAE

"Lele", as we call her is the last child and was born on April 15, which
reminds us of time for taxes, HA. I believe she is going to be a leader
when she grows up. She is so smart and I enjoy talking with her because Lele
is very articulate with her words. Good fun listening or talking with her.
She is attending a preschool under the direction of the Kamehameha
Schools and seems to be doing fine. Tutuman reminds her, like we did with
Kamanukea, that the teacher is in charge not her, HA! HA!.
I thank God for our children and grandchildren and pray for them
everyday when our men meet for prayer each morning. My prayer for the new
year is to be led daily by the Holy Spirit of God and I pray He will help me
lead more people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches
us, "God would not that any should perish but that all would come to
repentance." That's my desire to help people find and accept Jesus Christ as
their Lord and Savior. Please remember me in your prayer. Mahalo!

THAT'S THE NANCY AND HOTCH KEKOA OHANA (FAMILY) UP DATE .
Let me share a blessing prayer to you from the Kekoa Ohana (family).
Hoonani i ka makua mau. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
We truly have been blessed this year and give God the praise and glory.
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Shepherd of the sheep watch between you and I
as we are absent one from the other.
Let your blessing and joy be ours in fulfillment of the year 2003.
Holy Spirit anoint us each day of the year with the wisdom of God and
the mind of Christ and teach us to love one another because love is of God!
For great is the Lord and greatly are you to be praised.
Your Word teaches us that "greater is he who is in us, then he (The devil) that is in the world."
Accept our prayer in the name of God, the Father, Maker of Heaven and
Earth; in the name of God, the Son, Jesus Christ our Living Lord; and in the
name of God, The Holy Spirit, whose Presence we acknowledge in our hearts today. AMEN!
ALOHA AND LOVE YOU ALL!