Mahalo Mr. Lindsey, from a student

Mahalo Mr. Lindsey, from a former Student:

I thought I heard wrong yesterday and then I heard your morning news about Mr. Lindsey. Please send my aloha to his ohana and can you play the song that goes "e alu like mai ka kou, e na o'iwi o Hawaii na pua mai ole". I know that it's not a sad song or may not seem appropriate, but it's the song that he had us sing for our Na Mele O Maui Competition when we were in the 8th grade at Iao School in 1988 (21 years ago OMG!). I still remember that, but I don't know what place we came in! I have so many awesome memories of that year because of all the activities that he made possible for us!

Reminiscing my 8th grade year, again, in 1988. He took us to the Kaanapali Beach Hotel to put on Hawaiian displays for the tourists like Ti-leaf lei making, poi pounding, ukulele playing, flower lei & haku lei making, and simple hula lessons. We had so much fun, but the best was the bus ride there and back. That was when everybody found out that Billy Kekona & Rodney Keahi (aka Rod da Fiyah) could sing. I remember all of us on the bus hearing people singing and everybody got quiet. We looked in the back of the bus and there they were…Billy with his little ukulele, and for a moment, it was like….they forgot themselves and was just singing away & I know that everybody was thinking "WOW". And Mr. Lindsey sat in the front of the bus with a great big smile on his face like he just took a great big breath of fresh air.

And that's my memory of Mr. Lindsey! Thank you akua for blessing us with his knowledge and care!

From the Maui News: Edwin "Ed" Lindsey Jr., "a steadfast champion and leader in protecting Maui's aina and its important cultural landscapes," died Wednesday morning at his family residence in Lahaina. He was 70.

The Maui County Council honored Lindsey in May with a ceremonial resolution as a "beloved Maui treasure" who served in numerous roles, including kumu, kupuna, uncle, tutu, brother, dad and husband.

Auntie Patty Nishiyama of Na Kapuna O Maui, an organization of Hawaiian elders she actively participated in with Lindsey, described him as "a warrior, a strong warrior."

"He will be missed," Nishiyama said.

Lindsey was a founding member of Hui O Wa'a Kaulua, an organization with activities including the building of a sailing canoe, Mo'olele. He also was president of the Ohana Coalition, organizer of Kilakila O Haleakala, co-founder of the Maui Nui Marine Resources Council, member of Na Kupuna O Maui and a participant in the Kaanapali 2020 planning process.

Lindsey spearheaded ongoing native habitat restoration projects such as Malama Honokowai Valley, Malama Ukumehame and Malama Kaheawa-Hanaula.