Hoku with Uncle John and Aunty Flora

Please let me introduce you an incredible man and his wife, my Uncle John and Aunty Flora. They are truly a blessing to me and to all those who have the honors of crossing their paths. I know that they have blessed me with 2 daughters (Hemakananakapu’uwai and Debbie) who I was able to share my gift of hula with here in Virginia and a Son (John Signor) who lives in Hawai’i but provides us all with his beautifully and gifted talent of music. I met uncle and aunty about 6 years ago here in Virginia when at that time their daughter whom I had the honors to bless her with the name we call Hemakananakapu’uwai. When Uncle John and Aunty came to visit their daughters and their families here in Virginia, I was immediately embraced by them, making me feel as though I too was their daughter. I remember seeing tears in their eyes as they thanked me over and over again for sharing the gift of Aloha and Hula with those who lives on the mainland and especially their daughter. From that day forward, Uncle John would mesmerize us with his beautiful voice of the Hawaiian mele and the sweet sounds as he strummed his ukulele. For 6 years now, they have continued to fill my soul with their Aloha sending it from the Islands to Virginia. I recently met up with Aunty and Uncle at their home in Ewa Beach on my short trip back home to the Islands. Again, they both embraced me, looked in my eyes like they always did as their eyes glared into mine with excitement and love as they gave me thanks for sharing my gift of Hula. Yet, I felt that I was the one who had been blessed by them for they continue to fill my spirit.
Although Aunty and Uncle retired, Aunty continues to dance hula with Ewalani Hula and Uncle John currently teaches ukulele class in Waikiki who received the Waikiki Community Center Annual Volunteer of the Year. So, If you get a chance, Visit his classes, you will be glad you went. If you’re on Oahu or ever going to visit the islands please plan a visit to meet these 2 spiritually filled incredible people. I promise you will leave them feeling like they make me feel, “Blessed and filled”

http://www.waikikicommunitycenter.org/AprilNewsletter2011.html

“Congratulations to John Signor, who is the Waikiki Community Center Annual Volunteer of the Year! John Signor first arrived in Hawai’i while he was in the Army on a troop ship sometime in 1948. He met and married his lovely wife, Flora, soon after his arrival and she’s still with him today; 60+ years later!
After traveling extensively throughout the Pacific with his military career, John retired after 20 years and used his Master’s degree in Educational Psychology to become a school teacher at Barber’s Point Elementary School where he retired after another 23 years. John always loved Hawaiian music and first discovered WCC when he took a ‘ukulele class from Stan Jackson. When Stan left, John stepped in and took Stan’s volunteer instructor role. Thinking they should move closer to their two daughters in Virginia, John and Flora moved to the mainland briefly in 2010 but were back within six months. “It is one of the things I am most proud of”, states John, “that we made the decision to return to Hawai`i.” Son John also lives here and is a Piano Performance Teacher, so family is still close by. They treasure their lifestyle and friends in Hawaii so much more since returning. John has been a volunteer instructor for the Hawaiian Style ‘Ukulele class for 7-8 years. He says many of the regulars are like himself . . . came to Hawai`i and fell in love with it and its music! We TREASURE YOU, JOHN SIGNOR. . . and the genuine commitment and dedication you demonstrate to WCC, our members and guests”