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Family Memories

These pages contain family history, memories, stories
as remembered by the children and grandchildren that pertain to the entire family.
Please submit articles to your family editor for posting, or to Maeva Mataalii if you currently have no editor.

Mataalii Family Value Work  by John Mataalii

4/6/2016

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In the early 1950’s, President David O. McKay envisioned a school of higher-learning that would be built in Laie, Hawaii. As a result of that vision, on February 1, 1958 my father was called to serve as a labor missionary to assist in the construction of Church College of Hawaii or what is now known as BYU-Hawaii campus. Upon completion of the school he was called to serve again as a labor missionary in August of 1961 to help in the building of the Polynesian Cultural Center.
           
During the six years that my father, Tifaga, worked on the construction sites for CCH and PCC he was not paid for his labors. That required a great sacrifice from our family because if daddy wasn’t getting paid, how were we supposed to eat? How were we supposed to buy the everyday things that we needed?
 
I am grateful that my dad had the forethought to plant breadfruit, coconut & banana trees in our yard when he first arrived in Hawaii in 1947. By 1958 these trees were able to bear fruit that was sufficient to help sustain our family during these lean years. That is what we ate during that time: breadfruit, coconuts and bananas. God truly provided a way for our family.
 
From Monday to Friday my father, Tifaga, worked for the LDS Church as a labor missionary. However, on Saturdays he worked for his family. It is this ONE day, Saturday that I want to talk about. This was the only day out of the week that he could use to earn money to support his family. He did this by painting houses.
           
Every Saturday my dad worked very hard from sun up to sun down. He would bring me and my brothers Alvin and Lincoln to help him out because he wanted to maximize all his resources and efforts. Looking back, I now see that he needed us to do in one day (Saturday) what he couldn’t do in five days (Monday through Friday). The best way he knew how to do that was to have his sons help him.
           
I was a 14-year-old boy and the last thing I wanted to do on a Saturday was work. All the other boys my age were out playing and it bothered me that I couldn’t do the same. Little did I know that from these Saturdays spent working and painting with my father, that I would accumulate priceless memories and lessons that would shape me into the person that I am today.
           
I developed important habits in my life from these years of working with my dad. The first was learning the value of hard work. Painting houses was a hard and detailed job. I was in charge of preparing the houses by sanding the surfaces that were to be painted. Secondly I had to build scaffolds so that my dad could paint the areas without falling or losing his balance. I then learned how to hold the brush properly so that my stroke would not let the paint run.
 
My dad had a certain routine that we had to follow. Everything had to be done in a certain order and in a certain way. My dad was very meticulous about his work, he took pride in doing a good job on the first try because it saved time having to go back and correct mistakes made. My dad believed that doing a good job the first time is how you stay in business. 
           
Lastly, and most importantly, from these Saturdays spent painting with my father I learned not to waste the daylight by being idle. I wasn’t allowed to sleep in because we were wasting daylight of the one day we had to work for the family. My father’s voice still rings in my ears as I can hear him say, “Do not waste the daylight. Work while the sun shines.”

submitted by Ron Mataalii

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Rocky Mataalii 

7/7/2015

1 Comment

 
Rocky Mataalii will always be close he was my roommate at ASU in the 70's. Rocky was an outstanding Middle Guard who made my job as the Strong Side Linebacker easy. I have so many fond memories of Jeanie and your father who was a gentleman, brave and determined in every way. I think about Rocky often and share stories about him with my children of who he was and how things might of been had he not been taken so soon.There was a greater calling. I know he is loved and I know Rocky loved his immediate family and those in Hawaii very, very much.
Sincerely,

Timothy Michael Petersen
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Christmas Memories by Henry Jr.

12/1/2014

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My Childhood Christmas's

From Humble Beginnings / and some back ground

       My earliest recollections of Christmas … was when we lived in the Dixon Street house in Redondo Beach, CA. Little 2 bedroom home 1 bath, a patio off the master bedroom, an unfinished basement, front and back yard. We were two blocks south of Artesia Blvd just off Ford Ave. and Ormond Street.  Age 5 puts it at about 1958. Attended Grant Elementary Kindergarten back then you walked to school just following all the other kids in the neighborhood.
      My father was a shop helper in a machine shop at Starlite Mfg. In Redondo Beach, my mom painted dishes at Metlox Pottery in Manhattan Beach. Aunt Moana Faifai lived with us back then, Judy Savage was one of her closest friends, who visited often.

            My family loves Christmas

    Oh where do you begin … as far back as I can remember and I'm sure many of your families did the same as well?  We played Christmas music every night, watched every Christmas TV show and special. Checking the newspapers for news as to where and when a Christmas tree lot would announce … Christmas Trees for sale!!!! … Soon after Thanksgiving, my parents planned our night out. Home by 5pm, dinner at 6pm, out the door by 7pm … and off we'd go.  In search of that perfect Christmas tree. In the beginning we looked at the less expensive trees. And we would go from lot to lot until he found just the right one, but my dad being the negotiator that he was always got the tree he wanted and at his price.
    Over the next few years … Self-discipline and hard work paid off for my parents...   My parents moved to the Benhill house...  Christmas traditions changed somewhat but the joy and spirit still burned bright and strong. But some things remained the same.  Dad still negotiated for the best price for Christmas trees, often time with the flocking thrown in for free, he would never pay full price. I remember one time when working at the OB tree lot. We loaded two trees for McStarlite and a big tree for the Compton Ward, and a big one for the Torrance Stake Center… and a big tree for my dad's home... (The tag on my dad's tree said no charge) and a very good tip as well ...yeah that's my dad.  Now days ...Trees are grown on farms and groomed.

Time to Light up the house

                       Back then we lived in the Dixon Street house in Redondo Beach.
I would help my dad pull out all our old string of lights and we would plug it in and replace the ones that didn't work. My dad was one of those guys that shopped at local stores and the owner or manager knew my dad by sight and name, and after a while they knew me too. Kurt's Hardware Store was such a place. My dad bought all his tools from there both for work and at home. He would take me along and I remember walking up and down each isle looking at all these tools. Thinking about it now I remember the old fashion 5 sided bins stacked 4 high... filled with nails, nuts and bolts. Mr. Kurt and his sons were so very helpful. Again I helped my dad pull out all the string of lights and checked each bulb. Replacing any of the ones that didn't work. Then it was time for my dad to climb up on the roof... We use a big heavy wooden ladder that my dad made. Slowly I made my way up that ladder and on to the roof. We placed all the lights and U shaped nails at the top and center of the roof, as was his go for my dad hung all the lights. After hanging the outdoor Christmas lights with my dad... it always ended with go get your mom and sister... there we would stand out in the yard looking at the house lights. Of course I had to walk all around the house to make sure each light was working. Year after year we did that put them up and then take them down. Those were some great memories.

Time to Deck out the House
           
   
Decorating the house … we had the Christmas stencils that you used floor wax as the stenciling agent, now a days you use a can of flock or stencil spray. Every window there was a Christmas decoration. We had a fake fireplace and we hung 4 stockings …every year and to this day my parents always had a bowl of mixed nuts still in the shell and a metal nutcracker. Back in the day the grocery stores had a big display table and you bought them by the pound. Now it's all prepackaged it just isn't the same. The other items my parents always had during Christmas were apples and oranges. These were the staples of our Christmas treats we found them in our stockings come Christmas morning.  Once the tree was in the house it was like magic... the air was filled with the smell of the tree, and the Christmas records found their way to the hi-fi stereo set and was played over and over and over (my kids wonder why I have this insane habit of playing the same music for days on end) well it was one way to learns the words by heart. I must admit today when I hear a certain song it just takes me back to a certain time and place.  We had one big box with all the Christmas tree decorations in it.  Ahhh, I can still remember as it were yesterday... Clear the spot in the living room for the tree, my dad brought in the tree and we mounted it to the stand and quickly filled it with water. Dad and I unraveled all the lights and checked all the bulbs and replaced all the burned out ones. Mom and Sharon opened all the bobble boxes and attached the tree hangers. Dad and I hung the lights on the tree, while the music played we all sang along. Up went the bobbles, we hung them in groups of three red, blue and silver. The finishing touch was the tinsel placed on the tree to give it that frosted ice tinsel effect and of course last item to be placed on the tree was the Christmas Star, years later we replaced it with an Angel. 


A time-honored tradition …  this is my version of it, as I remembered it
 
   
This next part of this story is how it came about … why we wait up till midnight and not Christmas morning, to open our gifts.  When Sharon and I were little kids and Christmas Eve finally arrived, family tradition was we had an early dinner watch TV and go to bed.  Of course we couldn't sleep. We could hear Christmas music playing and peeking under the door we could see that the lights in the hallway and the living room were on as well. After what seemed like forever we peeked out again and all the lights were off.  So I don't remember which one of us sneaked out of the room first, and took a peak at the tree and to take a look at the presents.  But we must have made a lot of noise because soon Papa and Tutu were standing there with the light on and said oh all right we may as well have Christmas now … so ever since that night and for the past 50 plus years we have gathered at my parents home and opened our gifts at midnight. Of course things have changed over the years. And have changed for the better ...of course our numbers have gotten bigger and extend families have shared Christmas with us.  Last count there close to 80 stockings hung, most of the music is the same … the tree is now plastic, the gifts have improved. Things have improved and changes made. When the grand kids came along the spouse’s advocated common changes and now we start at the dinner hour and instantiated a Christmas program that has improved over the years. As our numbers increased over the years so has our gift exchange ...from family gifts to draw a name out of the hat. Last year we did a White Elephant gift exchange which was a big hit and will probably be repeated this year and I’m sure it will become one of many traditions.


Now for the numbers

            From Henry and Shirley. (2nd generation group). Henry Jr., Sharon and Keith.(3rd generation group). Later to be followed by 18 grand kids (4th generation group)… today we have 60 plus and another child due in a few weeks. (5th generation group).

In Closing

            Due to health reasons... I have not attended my family Christmas in a very long time.  2002 was the last Christmas with my dad ...he passed away Feb 2003. My mother now carries on all the old traditions ...the one she and dad started so long ago. From humble beginnings … it was the simple things that carried hopes and dreams of a better tomorrow for my parents and for the generations to come.  With each passing year those hope and dreams have been realized from a shop helper to Owner of the company my dad never forgot where he came from. I hope and pray that our families will do likewise and remember their first Christmas as husband and wife form their traditions, hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow and remember the ones Papa and Tutu started long, long ago.

Last Words

            Every year I look back and remember these things… there will always be mixed nuts in the shell in a bowl, there will always be apples and oranges in a bowl, there will always be stockings hung ...these were the gifts of those humble beginnings. This is the Christmas's I cherish and now miss and will always carry in my heart.  

    Merry Christmas my Mataalii family ….  Henry jr.
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My Uncle Al.... my favorite uncle

9/11/2014

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My uncle Al, yeah he's my favorite Uncle, as we share the same birthday Oct.7th. He's quite a character too I might add.

Over the years my mom would tell us stories of when we use to live with grandpa and grandma Mataalii, and all the uncles and aunts in Laie, So Uncle Al knew me before I knew him.

I first met Uncle Al ...when my dad brought him home from the airport. I knew nothing about him other than he was my uncle … we both shared the same birth date (Oct 7th). And after I met him, he was left handed as well. Let see I was about age 15... so that would make it about 1968...I might be wrong .. please correct me if I am.  Al was the second of the five uncle that would come from Hawaii and stay with us … until they found jobs, save some money and then proceeded with moving out on their own. I think Al's first job was with Harvey Aluminum in Torrance on Western Blvd. I remember when Al brought home his first car... A yellow 56 Ford I think it was a station wagon or panel truck. He got me to help him wash his car and wax it too. He taught me, he schooled me in the Uncle Al's way of washing, polishing, and waxing cars. One thing I have to admit is my Uncles took pride in their cars. Al was pretty particular about how, when and where to wash and wax his car. The weather had to be just right ...too late in the day when the sun is hot will cause water spots … too late in the afternoon with the on set of the evening dew and the wax won't set up properly, and you'll get a dull finish not that high glossy shine. And his favorite ...you always wax the windows...so the water beads up and runs off when it rains thus better vision.  Auntie Linda, Uncle Al's first wife... she was my favorite  Aunt ... she was fun to be around.... about six months later Al traded in his 56 Ford for a 58 Ford 2 door Fairlane, 2 tone brown.  And he put on the back of it “Sons of Hawaii” … later I did the same with my first car a 53 Kaiser M38A1 Army jeep that I bought from my best friend Marvin Danielson when he went into the Army.

Auntie Linda would volunteer to take me to the church for MIA or Mutual, and let me drive Uncle Al's car. of course she would say take the long way around ...which meant just drive around for awhile  until it was time for MIA to start. And that's how I learned to drive.

One last tid bit about our dear Uncle Al … for all of us who knew Al back then … Al had his own way to say things... which we all imitated …. “Aye you want me tune you up !!!   oh what !!!”  another one is ….  if you asked Al what he thought if something was good or bad... and if he thought it was no good he would say  “junk dat” … but his most famous one was  “Aye you like one slap” soon a whole new generation of Mataalii kids were going around repeating all Uncle Al's sayings …. my mom would here us imitating Uncle Al … and say to hey where did learn that from … we would say Uncle Al...
And she would say that AL !!!!!

I was sad when Al and Linda moved out to a place of their own …and soon  later Michelle was born … and yeah Michelle I knew you when you were a baby...all us kids wanted to help take care or watch  baby Michelle because she was Uncle Al's daughter.... I later gave my first daughter that name too because you were my Uncle Al's daughter and Al is my favorite Uncle …hence  Maeva Michelle Aegataulupe Mataalii …

The Maeva, Tahnee and Morgan names are for another story...

I have been lucky enough to have worked with Uncle Al at McStarlite Co. Al and I worked under the tutelage of my dad Henry Sr. Uncle Al supported me and I him. as we ran the Press department.  I have a lot of respect for Al, he and I worked well together to make the company successful.  I could always count on Al to take care of business. He and I have long since retired from the shop... talking to him the other day, as we were recalling those special moments we shared back then...under the watchful eye of Henry Sr... we both admitted  we miss those days .. working with the guys but mostly we miss Henry Sr...

As always we would see Al at the family events .. as he too took his place in our lives as one of the Uncles and Aunts that have enriched all of our lives... I love my Uncles and Aunts... each one of them has touched my life in their own special way. By giving of themselves to us as they continue to serve this wonderful Mataalii family of ours.  Too all my Uncles, Aunts and cousins  …. I love you all …. But you Uncle Al … you have a special place in my heart … Thank you for being my Uncle …. love  Henry jr ….

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Childhood Thanksgiving

6/28/2014

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As a youth, I remember that we all gathered at Auntie Kathy's home in Lawndale for Thanksgiving, mainly because she had a big backyard. The uncles would set the tables and chairs in the patio area. (I believe there was a big covered patio as I recall, however I could be mistaken) In the kitchen there was a turkey or two cooking, and the other Aunties brought their pot luck dishes of ham, chicken, chop suey mashed potatoes, potato salad, corn on the cob and all the fixings that go with such a meal. All the girl cousins were all doing hula dances, and all the guys were watch a football game on TV. As was our custom we had the blessing on the food and then we all started in on fixing our plates, it was always so much food and fun. Somewhere near the end of our meal, all the girls in the family would join in Polynesian dancing and thus our evening entertainment. Afterward the adults would sit and chat and the kids watched TV or played outside. I have many fond memories of Thanksgiving Days of my youth. Thank you to all the Aunts, Uncles, and my cousins for such fond memories of days gone by.
By Henry Mataalii Jr.

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Family Picnics at El Nido 60's & 70's

6/28/2014

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This was back the late 60's and into the 70's, as I recall most of the summer holidays we would have an old fashion family picnic at El Nido Park near north Redondo Beach. My dad would drop my brother Keith, sister Sharon, and I off at the park to save as many picnic tables as we could. There we would be at 7 am setting up table cloths on the 4 groups of tables on the lower picnic area just east of the softball diamond down the right field line. Also we would drop off a bag of charcoal at each of the 4 bar-b-Que grills. There we would sit and wait till the clan arrived.

As soon as they did we would help carry food, lawn chairs, coolers and whatever else that was needed for our family picnic. Soon the Auntie's, Uncles and all the cousins would arrive. The cooking began and the laughter was soon to follow, all kids would run over to the playground or play with the balls and sports equipment that they brought with them. It always started with playing catch... then soon we were playing 3 flies up or 500 with a dozen or so kids and grown ups.

Then the call for lunch, and we'd gather ourselves for a word of prayer. Ah then we had a feast fit for a king... there were hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, three or four different potato salads, soda pop, the kind you needed a can opener to pierce a triangle shape hole at the top. Then there was Auntie Lucy's Pulingi mmmmm. Of course there were other items for desert. After everyone was full, it was time to sit and chat, take a nap, or break out the ukuleles and guitars and start singing. When the after lunch rest was done; something that resembled a softball game started, with cheering and laughter at errant throws, missed catches, and collisions and over all a wonderful time was had by all.

Soon we all needed a time out to rest... next thing you know it was time to pack up our things and help each family load up their cars... during which time hugs and kisses, laughter and waves good bye were exchanged.

All and all a great time we had by all. This we did year in and year out. I really had fun back then as I now recall those special days. Those of us in the 2nd and 3rd generation groups, I hope you can still recall those days as well. To be honest I really miss those special times of my youth.

By Henry Mataalii Jr.


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    Please submit stories, memories, family history to your family editor or myself for updating. Thank you
    malibugrrl@hotmail.com

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