On the recordSeptember 15, 2016
We are holding this Special Order today to honor our colleague and friend, Mark Takai. Many of our colleagues are here to share their own memories and remembrances of our friend. In Hawaii, the word ``aloha'' holds a very special place in our hearts. It is a word that we use every day to say hello and good-bye, but, in saying that word, we are actually conveying a much deeper meaning. In the deepest and truest sense of the word, aloha means I come to you with an open heart and offer you my deepest respect, love, and care. It is a word that describes a way of life. Living aloha brings people together regardless of their unique backgrounds or things like age, race, religion, or social class. This open heart, this spirit of aloha, is what I think of when I think of my colleague, my fellow soldier, and my friend, Mark Takai, because he carried this aloha spirit with him wherever he went. He shared it with everyone that he came into contact with.…





