Raymond Camacho
Carlos Camacho, Ambassador of Aloha
Hafa Adai everyone, and ALOHA.
Thank you to Norma Bautista & Larry Anderson for your heart-warming messages. Through their eyes, we learn new and wonderful things about braddah Carlos. For example, Carlos’ humility…I’ve only learned recently there was a “Carlos Camacho award” given to the outstanding umpire of the “California 4 Umpire Association.
So let me share with you my Braddah Carlos through my eyes.
Aloha means hello, and goodbye. Aloha is the essence of love, peace, compassion, and mutual respect. Aloha means living in harmony with the people and land, living with grace, and kindness.
Aloha is a way of life.
If you met braddah Carlos, you would instantly feel a connection that was genuine and authentic. Even if you’ve never been to the islands before, suddenly you felt transported to a place of welcoming and warmth.
Carlos was a true ambassador of Aloha.
Carlos the “fixer”
Carlos was the ultimate “fixer.” He was resourceful and ingenious, and could diagnose and fix almost anything…a broken house or broken heart. Carlos was the “super glue” of our family.
I had a heart attack back in 2001. Carlos came to Hawaii for one month to care for me & my family, and keep my household going. He cooked fantastic meals, he cleaned and organized my garage, and fixed squeaky doors and leaky faucets. For my wife Carol’s birthday, he cooked a feast for her and her friends.
You see, to Carlos, cooking was an act of love, an expression of true friendship and a way to connect. Most of you know that Carlos created a home-made bbq marinade/sauce that was like liquid gold!
BTW a week before he passed, he told me that after 30+ years he was ready to share with me his secret recipe! I know he’ll keep his promise.
Either I’ll wake up one morning with those secret ingredients he had whispered in my ear whilst I was sleeping, OR I’ll get it from him in the hereafter at our family bbq with our mother Vicenta, his son Carlos Jr., brothers Vince, Johnny, Norman, nephew Nacho, and all of our dearly departed.
I’m sure many of us here have our own special story of Braddah Carlos.
Carlos…was my Big brother
I was proud to be a brother by blood. But whether by blood or by bond, I look around and realize I’m not alone. Many of you here today were like brothers from another mother. You were true friends to the end. Carlos was self-less and always ready to help at any given moment.
Carlos had that tough exterior, but he was a teddy bear deep inside. But make no mistake, Carlos was tough as nails. Ironically, as he lost his hair and went bald, or as we say in Hawaii “bolo-head”, his toughness only grew! Does anyone remember what year he started shaving his head?
Message to Carlos’ Ohana
Maria, you have always been THE partner Carlos wanted and needed. You were his confidant, tempered him, and smoothed his edges. You are his soulmate, “always and forever”.
Ramon, you are his only surviving son. Your dad and mom came to Hawaii 4 weeks ago, and we spoke about how hopeful they were to rebuild their relationship with you. And Ramon, I truly believe you will make your father proud and pursue the life he wanted for you.
Malina, Aviana, Antonio, and Zaiara - please know that your Papa Carlos loved you unconditionally to his core. You were his occasional source of worry and stress. And I mean that in a loving way. But know too that you were always his joy and hope. Your papa Carlos and G’ma Maria would come out to Hawaii almost every year. They wanted to move to Hawaii, but could never leave their grandchildren.
With my brother’s passing…I often think of this phrase: “What would Carlos do?” He would tell us this pain will pass. He would tell us to hug your children, your loved ones, embrace your friends, eat well, enjoy life…and carry on.
So if we could all be just a little more like him, wouldn’t life be so much better. Aloha for now. Esta manhalihit talu...until we meet again.
