95, passed away Sept. 20th at his residence in Kaneohe he was born June 25, 1925 at the family residence on Queen St. (which has been changed to Dillingham Blvd). He was one of six sons, and three daughters of Mack Kamaka Kahulanui Kalahiki from Kahaluu Oahu and Elizabeth Mahinauli Akau of Kawaihae, Hawaii Island. As a child, he was raised by his grandfather William Paul Mahinauli Akau of Kawaihae; he attended Kawaihae School from the 4th grade until the 7th grade (when his grandfather became ill). He returned home to Kalihi and attended Kalakaua Middle and Farrington High where he graduated. He continued to travel every summer back to spend time with his grandfather in Kawaihae, who taught him his Hawaiian Heritage including the ways of the Hawaiian Cowboy the Paniolo. Grandfather had a saying, he often shared with his grandson; "You Become Responsible for What You Know".
Served in the Army, after discharge returned home went to work for Hawaii Transit Lines.
The family attended the Gospel of Salvation Church, where he met his future wife Julia Edith Kalaninuipoaimoku Opiopio. They were married in 1947 and raised 8 children (4 sons, and 4 daughters), they were also Foster parents to 5 boys. Sadly after 46 years of marriage Julia passed away in 1993. In 1996, he married Carol Vivian Rollinson at the Pu'ukohola Heiau in remembrance of his grandfather William Paul. Carol passed away July 7, 2015.
Most of his career was at Hawaiian Tel where he worked for 40 years and retired in 1973. Prior to his retirement he was active in his community of Kahaluu with his children in 4H club, activities in their school and Hawaiian Projects.
His retirement years remained busy. He was a salesman for a while (ex: he and a friend imported the first rice cooker from Japan and he also sold funeral plans for Hawaiian Memorial Life Plan, Ltd.).
He was President of the Hawaii Quarter Horse Association and owned a Registered Quarter Horse Stallion. Served as director of many Horse Shows held on Oahu, that brought riders from all over the State of Hawaii.
He was a member of the first Constitutional Convention held in 1978, that launched the political careers of a few Hawaii politicians, like John Waihee, Jeremy Harris, Carol Fukunaga and Joseph Souki to name a few.
He helped to establish HCRA (Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association) and volunteered with the Oahu Association, which became Hui Wa'a. He was a director for the canoe races held all over the island and the state. He became friends with many of the coaches, various team members and the families of the canoe ohana.
He was an Advocate for Hawaiian Affairs, who would meet at the Legislature and read through Bills that were related to Hawaiian Issues to either protest or support. He was Chairman for the Council of Hawaiian Organization for 12 yrs. Helped with the establishment of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp, OHA (Office of Hawaiian Affairs), helped in the establishment of Alu Like, served as a Hawaiian Homes Commissioner for 8 yrs.
Committee Member for the Onipa'a the 100th Anniversary of the Illegal Overthrow of Hawaiian Monarchy 1893 – 1993 at Iolani Palace. He was a part of various events held for the Anniversary. The committee handled the One Hundred Hour Vigil which was across the street from the Palace gate fronting Ali'i'olani Hale, with the sounding of the pahu at every hour.
Organizer of the observance for the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Nu'uanu. Created and organized a midnight walk from Kapiolani Park to the Pali Summit, with about a thousand people in attendance and Hawaiian Warriors as guides and police escort. The route went from Waikiki to Kamehameha Statue in Honolulu, to the Royal Mausoleum at Nu'uanu, up the Old Pali Road then to the Summit of the Pali as the sun rose.
Stewardship of the Kamehameha III's Summer Home known as "KANIAKAPUPU" in Nu'uanu was given by the Director of the DLNR. Worked for many years along with other volunteers to clear the site, as well as preserve and maintain the structure. His health has hampered his ability to continue this project, but the outstanding volunteers continued their commitment on this Historical Site.
A Board member for the State's Environmental Control Division for 7 yrs.
He also served as the first President of Ka Lei Maile Ali'i Hawaiian Civic Club.
Noho Ali'i, Na Papa Kanaka O Pu'ukohola Heiau (1991 – 2011)
He sat on the Council of Chiefs on Pu'ukohola Heiau for the island of Oahu.
He is survived by two sisters; Winona Aoki and Lorraine Pahio. 3 sons, Melvin Jr. (Eileen Hopkins), Norman G. (Pauline Naeole), J Ballard K. (Chante Soma), 4 daughters, Melvynette K (Benjamin Pila), Eveyonne M. (Kenneth Yasso), Tara Kalahiki, Cyd Leimomi (Christopher Smith-deceased), 29 grandchildren, 46 great grand, and 8 great, great grand. Son: Mack K. spouse (JoAnn Kukahiko) both deceased.
A PRIVATE Service will be held Oct. 10, @ 10 am at Borthwick Mortuary Mauka Chapel for 10 members of his family with Military Honors. There will be a PUBLIC Drive Thru Visitation from 11:30 to 1:30 pm. Entrance will be by Vineyard St. to Maunakea St. enter Mauka Chapel Parking, signs will be posted. PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR VEHICLES.
95, passed away Sept. 20th at his residence in Kaneohe he was born June 25, 1925 at the family residence on Queen St. (which has been changed to Dillingham Blvd). He was one of six sons, and three daughters of Mack Kamaka Kahulanui Kalahiki from Kahaluu Oahu and Elizabeth Mahinauli Akau of Kawaihae, Hawaii Island. As a child, he was raised by his grandfather William Paul Mahinauli Akau of Kawaihae; he attended Kawaihae School from the 4th grade until the 7th grade (when his grandfather became ill). He returned home to Kalihi and attended Kalakaua Middle and Farrington High where he graduated. He continued to travel every summer back to spend time with his grandfather in Kawaihae, who taught him his Hawaiian Heritage including the ways of the Hawaiian Cowboy the Paniolo. Grandfather had a saying, he often shared with his grandson; "You Become Responsible for What You Know".
Served in the Army, after discharge returned home went to work for Hawaii Transit Lines.
The family attended the Gospel of Salvation Church, where he met his future wife Julia Edith Kalaninuipoaimoku Opiopio. They were married in 1947 and raised 8 children (4 sons, and 4 daughters), they were also Foster parents to 5 boys. Sadly after 46 years of marriage Julia passed away in 1993. In 1996, he married Carol Vivian Rollinson at the Pu'ukohola Heiau in remembrance of his grandfather William Paul. Carol passed away July 7, 2015.
Most of his career was at Hawaiian Tel where he worked for 40 years and retired in 1973. Prior to his retirement he was active in his community of Kahaluu with his children in 4H club, activities in their school and Hawaiian Projects.
His retirement years remained busy. He was a salesman for a while (ex: he and a friend imported the first rice cooker from Japan and he also sold funeral plans for Hawaiian Memorial Life Plan, Ltd.).
He was President of the Hawaii Quarter Horse Association and owned a Registered Quarter Horse Stallion. Served as director of many Horse Shows held on Oahu, that brought riders from all over the State of Hawaii.
He was a member of the first Constitutional Convention held in 1978, that launched the political careers of a few Hawaii politicians, like John Waihee, Jeremy Harris, Carol Fukunaga and Joseph Souki to name a few.
He helped to establish HCRA (Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association) and volunteered with the Oahu Association, which became Hui Wa'a. He was a director for the canoe races held all over the island and the state. He became friends with many of the coaches, various team members and the families of the canoe ohana.
He was an Advocate for Hawaiian Affairs, who would meet at the Legislature and read through Bills that were related to Hawaiian Issues to either protest or support. He was Chairman for the Council of Hawaiian Organization for 12 yrs. Helped with the establishment of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp, OHA (Office of Hawaiian Affairs), helped in the establishment of Alu Like, served as a Hawaiian Homes Commissioner for 8 yrs.
Committee Member for the Onipa'a the 100th Anniversary of the Illegal Overthrow of Hawaiian Monarchy 1893 – 1993 at Iolani Palace. He was a part of various events held for the Anniversary. The committee handled the One Hundred Hour Vigil which was across the street from the Palace gate fronting Ali'i'olani Hale, with the sounding of the pahu at every hour.
Organizer of the observance for the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Nu'uanu. Created and organized a midnight walk from Kapiolani Park to the Pali Summit, with about a thousand people in attendance and Hawaiian Warriors as guides and police escort. The route went from Waikiki to Kamehameha Statue in Honolulu, to the Royal Mausoleum at Nu'uanu, up the Old Pali Road then to the Summit of the Pali as the sun rose.
Stewardship of the Kamehameha III's Summer Home known as "KANIAKAPUPU" in Nu'uanu was given by the Director of the DLNR. Worked for many years along with other volunteers to clear the site, as well as preserve and maintain the structure. His health has hampered his ability to continue this project, but the outstanding volunteers continued their commitment on this Historical Site.
A Board member for the State's Environmental Control Division for 7 yrs.
He also served as the first President of Ka Lei Maile Ali'i Hawaiian Civic Club.
Noho Ali'i, Na Papa Kanaka O Pu'ukohola Heiau (1991 – 2011)
He sat on the Council of Chiefs on Pu'ukohola Heiau for the island of Oahu.
He is survived by two sisters; Winona Aoki and Lorraine Pahio. 3 sons, Melvin Jr. (Eileen Hopkins), Norman G. (Pauline Naeole), J Ballard K. (Chante Soma), 4 daughters, Melvynette K (Benjamin Pila), Eveyonne M. (Kenneth Yasso), Tara Kalahiki, Cyd Leimomi (Christopher Smith-deceased), 29 grandchildren, 46 great grand, and 8 great, great grand. Son: Mack K. spouse (JoAnn Kukahiko) both deceased.
A PRIVATE Service will be held Oct. 10, @ 10 am at Borthwick Mortuary Mauka Chapel for 10 members of his family with Military Honors. There will be a PUBLIC Drive Thru Visitation from 11:30 to 1:30 pm. Entrance will be by Vineyard St. to Maunakea St. enter Mauka Chapel Parking, signs will be posted. PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR VEHICLES.Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
