Courtesy Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Viriditas2: Soul Greening
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Daughter of a mighty father,
Maiden patron of the May;
Angel forms around thee, gather,
Macula non est in te. (There is no stain in thee.) (Catholic Youth Hymnal, 1871)
Ever since I was a little girl at Sacred Hearts Convent, I used to run to the priest as Sister told me, “Father can bless you.” I said, “Bless me?” She said, “Yes, when you see a priest, you run to Father and say, ‘Father please bless me.’”
It is a privilege to receive blessings. When we moved from Fort Street Mall to the convent school in Nuuanu, Father lived across the stream from the school. He used to come to school around lunch hour to talk to the girls. And so I would run up to him as he came across the stream and be the first to get his blessing. Later, when I moved to Sacred Hearts Academy, I continued to look for the priests for blessings, although they weren’t around as much.
At 98 years of age, I can say that I have had a full life. My father Dewey Oliver Mookini was the assistant chief of police, my husband Alexis Theodore Lum was the state adjutant general, and I was the first policewoman in Hawaii. My husband and I were blessed with three beautiful children. I give thanks to the Blessed Mother for guiding me the way I have been guided.
Growing up with the Sacred Hearts sisters in Catholic school helped form me in my faith. Going to church with my parents and receiving the Holy Eucharist every Sunday and on holy days is important to me. Being brought up a Catholic is something no one can take from me.
Some question how I can be the kahuna nui of the Mookini heiau and also a Catholic? As a kahuna, I respect what the kahunas believe in. I respect Kuamoo Mookini from the year 480 A.D. I respect my uncle’s beliefs in his religion, the Hawaiian religion. If not for my bloodline, I would not be here. However, I was raised by the nuns and love my parents for the way they brought me up. I don’t think I would be as strong as I am today, otherwise.
About five or six years ago, I remember humming one of the songs the nuns used to hum. My friend who was with me, asked, “Do you know that?” I replied, “Do I know what?” “What you are humming?” she responded. I didn’t know anything about the song except that it had to do with the Blessed Mother.
She immediately called her mother on the phone and said, “Ma, aunty is here and she is humming the song you hum.” “Oh really?” I could hear her mom say. “That’s wonderful.” She continued. “Who’s your friend?” So, my friend told her “Aunty Momi. Momi Lum, She’s a Mookini.” Her mom then said, “‘Macula non est in te’ is a song calling for the Blessed Mother to take care of you.”
The Blessed Mother does take care of me. Since I was a little girl, I have been making the right decisions, only because I throw things upstairs in prayer and let it fall in rain. I always get an answer — maybe not today, or not tomorrow. But, I always get an answer.
