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Nolan Patrick Espinda, 65, was born in Kalihi on March 25, 1957 and died on May 19, 2022. Nolan retired as the Director of the Department of Public Safety (PSD), serving in Governor David Ige's administration, the pinnacle to his 38 years as a dedicated public servant to the State of Hawai'i. Nolan was a visionary leader with masterful skills to implement his plans for PSD. When Nolan chose to retire, he did so content that he had fulfilled his life's work towards the betterment of PSD, improving day-to-day operations, and always with the strongest personal responsibility to the taxpayers and in keeping Hawai'i's communities safe. Prior to becoming Director of PSD, Nolan was the Warden of the Halawa Correctional Facility, a civil-service position that he felt privileged to hold for almost two decades. He also served as Warden of the O'ahu Community Correctional Center, Waiawa Correctional Facility, and began his career at the Hawai'i Youth Correctional Facility.
Nolan was a proud Class of 1975 'Iolani School graduate and applied the "One Team" philosophy throughout his life. Nolan was a graduate of California State University at Chico where he played college football and first became interested in the field of Corrections. Nolan loved watching many professional and college sports, but was especially a life-long, die-hard supporter of the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warrior Football team. Old movies were a favorite of Nolan's, drawing inspiration from films starring The Duke, John Wayne, who often portrayed a quiet cowboy with true grit to get things done. Nolan was also a "DJ" at heart. Wherever Nolan shared friendships, he shared songs. In any bar or restaurant with a juke box, or in his family home in Kailua, inevitably Nolan was always queuing up the widest array of music from every genre and decade imaginable. All music, but particularly country music, resonated so deeply in Nolan and helped him to relax, laugh, cry, sing, dance - and to love.
We have lost a brilliant, altruistic, and extraordinarily honorable man. Or, as Nolan would so often loosely quote J.D. Salinger, in a nod of gratitude to others, yet certainly it was always most applicable to him: Thank you, Good Man. You're a gentleman and a scholar.
Nolan is survived by his wife, Malia Espinda; daughters Caitlin Asato (Ryan), Fallon Espinda, and Kamaile Manol; grandson, Royce Nolan Asato; sisters Nalani Espinda and Alana Faagai (Pili); brother, Allen Espinda (Sandy); aunts, Mapuana Evjen (Ronald) of Minnesota and Kaleinani Larsen; uncle Herb Espinda (Marie) of Minnesota; many nieces and nephews and their children; mother in-law, Doris Reichert; best-friend, Larry Kiyabu; ex-wife, Emi Espinda; and ex-girlfriend, Shelley Harrington (Scott). Nolan was pre-deceased by his beloved mother, Moana Whaley Espinda and father, Alfred Espinda, Jr.
A private urn committal will be conducted. Please take a moment to sign the online guest book and share your favorite memories of Nolan at http://www.nmpmortuary.com/obituaries/NOLAN-PATRICK-ESPINDA?obId=25813561#/obituaryInfo Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC
