Nate Yuen Remembrance Day
On August 9, 2022 HTMC and the hiking community was saddened by the loss of Nathan Yuen. Nate was an avid hiker, talented nature photographer, activist, conservationist and lover of Hawaiian culture. Nate joined HTMC in 1998 and was a Lifetime Member. Over the years he contributed to the club in many ways; as a Hike Coordinator, sharing his passion for native plants at events, his photographs grace the Clubhouse walls and for the Clubs’s 100 year anniversary he created a spectacular slideshow. Many of our members knew Nate and have fond memories of him. CLICK HERE to read the 2022 Remembering Nate Yuen newsletter article.
Nate’s Celebration of Life on September 17, 2022 at Sea Life Park was well attended by the community and HTMC Members alike. One of the poems (below) that was read at the ceremony Nate originally heard June Miyasato share at another HTMC Members memorial. Although the author is unknown, it was first heard in Nepal on a trip that a few HTMC Members took to the Himalayas.
Do not cry for me as I no longer walk the earth
I am here in the places that I love
As the warm wind blows, it is I caressing you
As the rain falls on your face, it is I kissing you
As you gaze at the stars and moon and sun, it is I smiling
I Love You
After the Celebration of Life ceremony Nate’s brother Joel asked Nate’s friends to help to scatter his ashes across all of the Hawaiian Islands. Nate’s ashes were divided into 12 beautiful koa boxes. A few HTMC Members volunteered to participate in this commemoration process. In honor of Nate’s Remembrance Day we wanted to share their stories along with a few images of their ceremonies.
Joyce and Grant Oka brought a box of Nate’s ashes to Maui. They selected a beautiful mountain location to scatter his ashes back in September. The Oka’s wanted to share the experience. They said that although it was clouded over, once they scattered his ashes and said goodbye, the view opened up and it was a heartfelt moment. They brought the empty koa box back to the clubhouse where it sits today.
Another group took a box of Nate’s ashes to spread in the Waianae Mountains. They held a small ceremony in July and shared their experience below.
Friends of Nate Yuen – Steve Rohrmayr, Jane Ebert, Leo Falasco, Alan Mitchell and Gene Witte – were honored to scatter some of Nate Yuen’s ashes in the Waianae Mountains, by a beautiful stream, surrounded by Hau and Ti plants. We planted 2 native Hawaiian banana keiki, and fertilized them with a portion of Nate’s ashes. We enjoyed hiking with Nate and always loved his extraordinary photography and knowledge. We learned so much from him. We miss him. Rest in peace Nate.
