Hawaiian Blessing

Anytime a new aircraft type is brought into a Hawai‘i-based entity, it usually undergoes a Hawaiian blessing. It even applies for the military units based here. Recently, the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron received the first two (of 20) F-22A Raptors. These two fighters were blessed by Kahu Kordell Kekoa, the chaplain for Kamehameha Schools, with Hawaiian water and sea salt. The customary blessing is preceded with a Christian prayer in Hawaiian and English. The salt and water are poured into a koa wood bowl, and sprinkled with ti leaves.

Today's photo shows Kahu Kekoa blessing the tail section of aircraft 03-4045, which has the "Hawai‘i" tail flash.