Mother Nature wouldn't let up, but General Robert Brown made sure we arrived today. Yeah! The Blackhawk trip was awesome, allowing us to see a very different part of Iraq. Upon arriving, we went straight to the venue and performed our luau show. You see, General Brown was one of the persons responsible for the Great Aloha Run in Afghanistan in 2006. He loves the GAR, Carole Kai and Hawaii. He came on stage to introduce us, and even had an Iraqi officer as his guest. After the show, he hosted a party on his "Command Post North Shore Lanai," complete with a mural of the islands. We've just met Major Mel Juan, a liason to the Kurdish region of Iraq, who also happens to come from Kalihi. In fact, he is a true Kalihi boy, moving five times within Kalihi. As I told him, "from one calamungay tree to another..."  Heeeere's Mel!

Aloha everyone!  Howzit brah?  I've been very blessed to be where I am today.  When we first deployed I was with the Division staff.  Now I serve as the Division Liaison and live in a part of Iraq that hardly anyone knows about--that is the Kurdish region.  The people of the region remind me of the people of Hawaii.  They have so much aloha and respect for what we're doing here for the region and their people.  Compared to the rest of Iraq, this region is relatively safe.  These people really do care for their "aina" and it shows. 

I want to say hi to my wife Natalie, my sons Damon and Braden, who've been very supportive of me for the past few years during my deployment in Iraq and Korea. I want to say daddy will be home for r and r soon...

Another day in Iraq with the Great Aloha Run. It's "wheels" up pretty early tomorrow, so aloha!

Why am I here on the blog site?  May is always Asian-Pacific Islander month and I was reminded just a few days ago that a group from the Islands was coming to Iraq to perform.  I desperately needed to go.  Luckily, General Brown's flight crew was able to pick me up from my location to where the wahines were performing.  He knew I was from the Isands.  Regarding the show, it was awesome.  I had such a wonderful time.  I was so excited to be here around local people.  I got to speak pidgeon again.  It felt so good.  When I deployed to Iraq, I brought along with me my ukulele.  I took it on this trip.  And you know what...it came in handy.  The show had some initial technical difficulties so I decided to play my uke.  Let me tell you that I've never done this before, but seeing what sacrifice the performers made to be here I decided to go for it.  Wow, that was nerve-wrecking but fun.  I'm not a singer, but I did sing and play "Brown-eyed Girl".  I hope it doesn't get publish on Youtube.  Mahalo nui loa to Team Hula for coming out here in Iraq and support the troops, especially the local Soldiers in the service.  Well, it's been a pleasure blogging with you.  Shoootz...Mel

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