Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 10, 1 October 1992 — Ka nūhou mai Alu Like [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ka nūhou mai Alu Like

News from Alu Like

(presented by Ka Wai Ola O OHA and Alu Like as a public service)

VIA LIKE

Living treasure marks 100th birthday

by Brenda Wong, researcher for Alu Like Kūpuna Program

"No wau pule, ho'okē 'ai." Through prayer and fasting. This is the way one should approach living, advises Kupuna "Abby" Lineoln, who celebrates her eentennial birthday on Oct. 25. Kupuna Lenore Abigail "Abby" Kalama Yen Sing Lineoln has been nominated by Alu Like for recognition by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as a living treasure for its 'Aha Kūpuna Awards dinner at the conclusion of OHA's 5th Annual Kūpuna Conference, Oct. 23 - 24. The nomination was made in recognition of the spiritual and eultural values that are demonstrated by the life of Kupuna Lineoln. Her dignified carriage and quiet presenee is depended upon at Alu Like's Ke Ola Pono No Na Kūpuna Project in Waimānalo. Kupuna Lincoln's observations of the world are woven with strands of advice that attest to her moral fiber and philosophy on life. Live naturally The benefits of this may be viewed in her own physical health. She rises at five eaeh morning, practices moderation, includes lots of fresh fruit in her diet, enjoys walks in her garden and has never eaten at fast food restaurants.

Keep active Self-described as "very athletic" in her youth, Kupuna Lineoln engaged in activities uneommon to women of the early 1900s such as basketball, volleyball, paddling (Healani Canoe Club, 1910) and riding bareback (always remember to grease the inside of the thighs to avoid chafing). Keep mentally active Kupuna Lineoln still reads the newspaper "front to back." Her memory is clear, alert and is able to

recount in sharp detail childhood remembrances. She is one of the few who ean personally recall "the white linen holokū worn by Lili'uokalani and the cries of "Aloha ke Ali'i Wahine" from the crowd at public appearances of the queen. She has found in Alu Like's kūpuna project a source of the things she loves: friendships and a plaee to gather with other Hawaiian kūpuna and listen daily to their kani ka pila of Hawaiian music. [The kūpuna project has sites on five islands and is open to all Native Hawaiian elders age 60 or more. On O'ahu, eall 523-5422.] Biography Lineoln was born Oct. 25, 1892 to Ung Tung Sing and Mary Espinda in their two-bedroom home in Lahaina, Maui. The eouple had three children and the family's gift of longevity is shared by older brother Francis Ah Tung Sing and younger sister Marion Kina Jones. Her father arrived in Lahaina from China and opened a laundry. When she was six, the family moved to Honolulu, where he became a "buggy man." The name Kalama comes from the hānai family that cared for the children. She attended the Royal School until age 15, when she found work as a bookbinder for the Pacific Commercial Advertiser. By carefully budgeting eaeh month's $15 salary, she saved enough to start her married household. Thomas Lineoln was a member of the Holy Name at St. Louis College when they first met at a pienie for Catholic girls. Lincoln's eyes shine when she recounts the romance of their courtship and the fragrance of the pink and white tea roses that grew in Moanalua Gardens. They were wed at the cathedral of Our Lady of Peaee on Fort Street Mall on Jan. 17, 1915.

Abby Lineoln marks her 1 00th birthday Oct. 25. At left: Abby at age 22 with the tea roses of Moanalua Gardens, e. 1912.