My family first got to know Collon through a barter organization. I'd never heard of naturopathy but soon after meeting him at the office on Central Ave. in Wailuku, I realized he was so much more knowledgeable than the Kaiser doctors I'd seen all my life. And he genuinely cared about his patients as individuals (not “cases”); that was very different. For years I'd go to Kaiser, get the lab results and their diagnosis, and then go to Collon. At first I'd pick up the medications Kaiser gave me and check with Collon before taking them but after a while just showed him the prescription and listened to what he had to say before filling it, or not (usually not!)
Years later when I went to work for him at the office on Lower Main St. I learned he was not only open to barter but made himself available to help patients who had very limited income, whose insurance had huge gaps, who were too sick or incapacitated to come to the office. Actual income to pay the bills was often a month-to-month concern, especially when insurance companies refused to pay for services or delayed payment, which happened on a regular basis. But Collon was a healer and a teacher, and even more important to him, a father, and his priority was not making money. If there was a school function for one of the kids, he put that before anything else. I remember that during the years Raadha was at Seabury he did parking duty for the annual bazaar in May even though he hated being out in the sun.
During the years I worked for him it was a pleasure to go to work. I'd brag to friends that I went to work if I was sick or hurt because Collon always made me better. I have absolutely no interest in football, but it was so much fun on Monday morning to hear him replay whatever game he'd enjoyed over the weekend. Slow days at the office he'd tell me all about whatever he was studying or reading. I learned so much from listening to him that has enriched my life immeasurably.
Personally, I would not be who or what I am, and possibly not even be living, without Collon. When I started working for him in 1989 I knew nothing about computers – he taught me. The first computer at the office was b/w and no mouse, that's how long ago! Software was in its infancy and he would try out every new wordprocessor and data base program, resulting in the ability for me to learn and adapt to new programs. Together we even disassembled and added memory and attempted repairs – I can't believe that now. Becoming proficient with the computer was a tremendous advantage in my next career.
It had long been a desire of mine to become a paralegal and that became possible because Collon allowed me to use the office computer on the weekends for my homework and he introduced me to attorneys he knew from the gym. Collon encouraged me when I applied for a paralegal position and helped me by continuing to employ me when I got a part-time, very low-paying job at the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii.
When Collon returned from the Mainland in 2001 I was in the hospital and scared to death. In the months after that while conventional medicine doctors wanted to do all kinds of invasive and dangerous procedures, pushed all kinds of drugs with nasty side-effects and were scaring me even more, Collon actually helped. He calmed my fears, advised me nutritionally, and gave me much-needed support in every way. I've been going to see him every 2-3 months for the past 10 years and every time would tell him “you can't ever retire, I need you!” I expected him to be there for my last days. I did not expect him to leave us much too soon.
In the past few years when Collon became a grandfather, it was obvious that this was his most cherished role. He never looked happier or more content than when he was showing pictures and talking about his grandchildren. He always spoke with great pride about his children Gavin, Raadha and Malu – all very different and all three beloved. But the grandchildren – they were his joy! I feel bereft and selfishly concerned “what will I do without Collon?” but I am so very sorry the grandchildren no longer have their loving grandfather.
Readers' Digest used to have a feature many years ago called “My Most Unforgettable Character” (or something like that.) Collon Brayce will never be forgotten – his kindness, the knowledge he shared so generously, his care and concern for people, his medical training and skill that saved lives, everything that made him the unique individual he was. Like so many who knew him well, I loved him and think of him every day and will miss him the rest of my life.
