David Cupid Kualaula Mattoon
May 8, 1910 – May 8, 2011
My grandfather loved writing and he loved sending me letters while I was serving an LDS mission. This is an excerpt from one of those letters ~
“My wish is that some day, not too long from now, I will sit at the table of the great banquet hall with all my family, from generation to generation, and share in love and friendship.” ~ June 1981
101 years ago on May 8, 1910, my grandfather, David K. Mattoon was born. He was the first born of six children of David Kualaula Matton and Lylia Kong Yet, and was born in the town of Papa’aloa, Hawaii. In those days, Hawaii was a territory. In the years following, he would have six half-brothers and sisters.
He married the love of his life, Annie Kalihilihipuaokalehua Pa of Kalihiwi, Kauai. Grandma lived 31 years and she and grandpa had two children, my mom, Patricia Keliikolomakakalipookalani and Charlmagne Kalihilihipuaokalehua.
I remember my grandfather on his 101 year birthday anniversary today, Sunday, May 8, 2011.
In the month my grandfather was born, the Earth passes through the tail of Halley’s Comet, William Howard Taft is the 27th President of the U.S., and King George V ascends the throne of the England. In that same year, novelists Mark Twain and Leo Tolstoy passes away. Honolulu becomes one of the first cities in the world to have dial telephone service, people of Japanese ancestry form the largest ethnic group, and the tuberculosis bureau is established.
The fondest memory which has stayed with me through the years is after a hard day’s work in the yard, we would drive to the neighborhood store, Chun & Tong, and enjoy a cold bottle of Coke, manapua (Chinese steamed dumpling) and abalone at the curbside. Sometimes we would get Japanese mochi, rice cake or Chinese dried plums.
It’s the small things I remember ~ he loved life; I mean he really loved and cherished being alive. He was kind towards animals and played with the cats and dogs like he was a school boy. He was generous with people, had a friendly smile and a strong handshake. He loved all things Hawaiian but most important he loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ. David was a man of strong conviction and those who knew him, remember him as a scholar.
He was kind and generous and if you asked, would give you the shirt off his back and the last dollar in his pocket. He had a work ethic that was unsurpassed and loved physical labor and staying busy. “Nothing makes a man feel like a man after a hard day’s work,” he would say.
My sister, Lorna, remembers his forgiving nature and how it wasn’t in him to take offense where another might feel justified after being wronged. Mom is the same way.
The smell of cut grass, a rusted, musty truck, or dried fish can take me back to when I was a boy, reminding me of him. Washing my hands with a bar of Ivory soap reminds me when he used to help me wash my hands in the sink outside our home.
A balloon floating skyward takes me back to when I was six years old at the circus. He got me one of those big special balloons; you know the kind, with a small animal figure on the inside. Not holding on tight enough, the balloon slipped through my fingers. Grandpa got me another when he noticed the balloon floating up and up and up, and then the tears on my face. I was a happy little boy once again.
While driving the other day, I smiled when I saw in the distance, three silver heart-shaped balloons float upward. I think its because it reminds me of all things good. After all these years, I still pay special attention to balloons floating in the sky.
We would often eat at one of his favorite Chinese restaurants, Tin Tin’s of downtown Honolulu, near the red light district of Hotel Street. You may remember the place; it is long since gone but I remember it well; the smell, the street noise, and grandpa slurping up a big bowl of Won Ton Min with a happy and satisfying look on his face. Pauoa Chop Suey in our neighborhood was another favorite, which I still frequent when I’m back in Honolulu.
Mom gave me the Hawaiian middle name Kawika, which means David, and so every day, no matter where I go, I carry my grandfather’s name with me. He is the only father I know; my dad died when I was just a few years old. David was the patriarch of our family, was respected and loved by the community, his church and the many who knew him. He was a dear man, a good man.
I know these few words capture only a glimpse of who he was and what he meant to me and I hope that in my sharing, you’ll be reminded of the things about your grandfather that make you smile. Today is just special to me as I remember him. And so I pay tribute to my grandfather and his memory; and also to those who have come before me and to those who will come after me with this poem. I hope you like it.
A Perfect Day
In green meadows
Sprinkled with colors of lavender and red
The grass swaying to-and-fro
The sweetness of the pikake flower fills the air
A clear day
The sun warms our face
We are filled with joy
Smiling, gazing, knowing
A step, then another
Down the hill
Faster, faster, faster
We laugh and play
We are children again
We are free
This is our playground
And we remember, we have always been here
Dear Grandpa,
Thank you for choosing me to be your grandson. Thank you for having me in your life. I’ll catch you on the flip-side.
Your grandson,
Paul
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