Mabel Kekina was an absolute delight. One would not go far afield selecting Mabel as a model of a true and dedicated HTMer, trail clearer, hiker, and wizard chef. Before I met Mabel I was an occasional hiker who enjoyed being a member of HTMC. After joining the clearing crew and getting to know her, I never missed a Sunday with her, on the trail, if I could possibly help it. From Mabel's example I learned the more I gave to the club, the more it returned to me.

Mabel knew the trails like the proverbial back of one's hand. I cannot count the times she'd discuss a section of trail that needed work, in such detail as to leave me scratching my head at her remarkable memory. She was also water sprite and knew every decent stream, pool, and falls that she could jump into during a long hot hike. She was always looking for a better way to access a ridge or valley and to this day there are probably a dozen access trails and shortcuts she originated; we always seem to refer to them as: "That's Mabel's trail".

She was indefatigable hiker and source of invaluable information and guidance, whether it had to do with trail stewardship or the personal storms that, on occasion, afflicted the lives of her crew. She was a person that was loved, even revered, and we will not soon see her like again. She was quite simply a legend, and you were truly blessed if you had met her and twice truly blessed if you spent time with her clearing trail.

Two final thoughts, first about her life, then about her death.

Mabel was strong willed, even indomitable at times, and believed in the care and stewardship of our club and HTMC's trails. She knew, without care and protection, our trails would quickly overgrow and in time be lost. That never happened while she was in charge and isn't likely to happen as we follow the great example she set for us.

As to her passing, that was just as she lived, done with grace and dignity. She refused any extraordinary measures to extend her days, no further hospital stays, no resuscitation, no interventions. She wanted to be at home and she wanted to pass without fanfare or notice. Her orders were: no obituary, no memorial service, no plaques, no bench on a trail, just please scatter her ashes on the trails she loved so much.

HTMC is much diminished by Mabel's passing. We have lost a most important club member that embodied the very essence of a kupuna, a wise, trusted, and beloved elder. She was a person of great scope and dimension and will be sorely missed. For fifteen years it was my excellent good fortune to have known and worked with her - she will have a very special place in my memory for the rest of my life.

Jay Feldman
HTMC President


Happy Trails - Jay