Jeffrey is now hiking a beautiful trail of light to the gates of heaven. He leaves behind a wife a son,family and friends among whom I count myself as a fortunate one who knew him for 47 years.

Meeting when I was at the University of Hawaii, Jeffrey had left UH because it was obvious to him that classes could offer him much less than living a free life with his girlfriend and surfing. In 1976 we made a plan together to make our way to Kauai for a hiking vacation. Travelling with some of Jeff’s friends from the mainland and my beautiful cousin Valerie we ended up Exploring Na Pali, and all the way west to Polihale. This was till then the best trip of my life. I am fortunate to say that since there have been many more journeys with Jeffrey, each one more splendid than the one before. It was the following year we made a plan to move there and in may 1977 we ended up in Wailua. Oh to be young and carefree in Nani Kauai then!

I stayed in Kauai till 1981 but, Jeffrey made Kauai his home till the day after Valetine’s day 2022.

When we heard Jeffrey had his tooth pulled the same day as my wife Julie we could not believe the coincidence and we talked story about the experience. He spoke of some dizziness and disoriented feelings he was having. We also talked then about another road trip , maybe to Moab and canyon lands national parks.

The next day came news that he was visiting the ER for tests. Two days later we were happy to get a call from him eager for some news. Jeffrey let us know about some results from the scans. Typically calm Jeffrey was uncharacteristicly emotional,especially about a long txt from his son Nicholas. He broke down again later thanking us for our friendship and love. Memorably he said he really wanted to plan that trip to Moab but adding he thought we should extend it to Urey Colorado Where there are some Fabulous hot springs to which I quickly said “yes”! Thinking back, it was like Jeffrey was starting to know his time here was not long and the veil between earth and heaven was being pulled open. He really wanted us to know what was in his heart.

The next day Julie and I went to the beach. I had already made reservations to travel the next morning, hoping to see Jeffrey and to help with his recovery. In the water my mind was repeating one of our favorite songs Hele o to Kauai and the song by Bob Dylan, Forever Young. Later that day I had an eerie feeling that maybe Jeffrey was leaving, the feeling when I called him but there was no answer, no one home, “where are you Jeffrey?”.

From somber text messages It seemed like there wasn’t much time left.

Thanks to my friend Steve I got an early ride to the airport. The weather was dark damp and drizzling. Slowly as I was boarding the drizzle lifted and sunlight made bright holes in the clouds. I remember just after taking off my eyes filling with tears, my mind brightly reflecting on memories of Jeffrey. I noted the time , my watch showing 902. I wondered if these feelings meant Jeff had left the earth and was saying goodbye in the only way he could. I made a note to ask Hezar about this if I had a chance however the only thing that matters is that it opened my heart and maybe heaven opened up as well in those moments.

My thoughts have been reflecting on the acronym…GOAT greatest of all time, for me Jeffrey will be GFOAT,greatest frIend of all time, or maybe BFOAT, best friend of all time. All my love good friend, father, son, husband and true lover of life. Your endless curiosity served you well in this life.

This long flight home has given me time for reflection on the many Moments I have had with my good friend. We have cultivated so many curiosities over our 47 years. It always seemed we shared a common language which many times was unspoken, I will treasure that and miss it more than words could ever express.

How does one measure a lifetime of giving, experience, love passion, spirit and philosophy. Is it measured in Years, or perhaps Smiles and Tears? That is one question Jeffrey and I might have had a discussion upon, though I have a feeling it was one that he might have thought too sentimental. One of Jeffrey’s last statements was “ death is like enlightenment “ . To some those words may have sounded profound but it was just Jeffrey. That is why my reply was “ except after enlightenment you can have breakfast “. Another Smile, another Tear.

As we all think of him while smiling over a sweet memory or shedding a tear for his loss to all of us, it matters not the measurement, the length of his time here on Earth, on Kauai, what matters is that we were able to share some smiles and tears along the way. Aloha no Ka kou. Another smile, another tear.

I think the Hawaiian word hanohano means honorable, but i have heard that it also means glorious as in Hanhano Hawaii. I am comforted by the thought Jeffrey is hanohano, knocking on heaven’s door.

Goodbye Jeffrey, Aloha Oe, till next time, see you on the other side