Our roots to Hawaii stretch back to the 1940s – two separate parts of my family would spend time here and one would eventually make Oahu his full-time home by the 1950s.

My grandfather was drafted into the US Army in 1940 and ended up stationed at the Schofield Barracks. He witnessed and survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor before moving to other Pacific islands. After his service, back home in Pennsylvania, he met and married my grandmother. In a war-time twist worthy of Herman Wouk, my grandmother’s brother would visit many corners of the Pacific in the War – eventually starting an importing and gift business – and making Hawaii his full time home.

Uncle Joe was a mysterious (to us growing up a world away in Pennsylvania, at least) and generous man who enabled his parents,  my grandparents and many other family members to visit Hawaii.

Uncle Joe’s widow still enjoys life in Honolulu along with some second cousins and their families. If your trip will be taking you to Honolulu, please visit their restaurant – Rock Island Cafe for some nostalgia and fun. It’s a family business owned and operated by my second cousin Gene and his children.

To have our own Hawaii home is a the stuff of stories and dreams come true. Christen and I are thrilled to join in with this nearly 75 years of history with paradise. Click on one of the photos for a short slide show if you are so inclined. Aloha, Tom

Uncle Joe’s store was in the International Marketplace – the heart of Waikiki. Sadly, progress and time caught up with the marketplace a few years ago and a new version is in the works. I doubt Asia Joe would recognize Waikiki today!

My great-grandparents (with the lei) were Italian immigrants. What a world and time they lived in. They must have been proud and impressed by their son’s accomplishments. This is one of their arrivals in Honolulu, that’s Aunt Sally on the left and uncle Joe between his parents.

Uncle Joe adventured all around the world in the years leading up to and during WWII. After the war and a stint helping the new government of the Philippines get up and running, he settled in Hawaii until his death in 1989.

My grandfather, also named Tom, in the US Army, territory of Hawaii, 1941. He lived a long and wonderful life with my grandmother, his wife of 71 years, and passed away at the age of 98 on November 27, 2016 – just days from the 75th Commemoration of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. He will forever be missed greatly.

The Lei greeting is a tradition worth preserving. If you aren’t visiting with friends or family, you can reserve a lei greeting for your first arrival. It’s about $20 – order online. So many things to love in this photo. Dig Uncle Joe’s shirt – and can you believe how flying attire has changed?