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It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Hiram Kaikaina Jr. on December 31, 2022. He was 85 years old. Hiram was born to Hiram Sr. and Jessie Kamakea Kaikaina, both deceased, at their home on Magellan Street in the Punchbowl area. In his teens his family moved to Papakolea where he and his parents built their home on Tantalus Drive. Hiram went to Royal Elementary, Central Intermediate, and McKinley High School, graduating in 1955.
He was a member of the Hawai'i National Guard, U.S. Army, and stationed in Berlin, Germany. Right after his service time, he worked at several trucking companies, becoming a manager. He worked in trucking for 22 years. After that, he joined the grounds crew at Kamehameha Schools Kapalama Campus where he also served as a bus driver and became the supervisor for the Grounds/Maintenance department. He worked there for 23 years retiring in 2003.
Hiram helped numerous clubs, classes, and halau to raise money through kalua pig sales. He had an imu site on the Kamehameha Schools campus to make it easier to help them. He was often referred to as the "Imu Man". He will be remembered for cooking 26,000 pounds of pork for the "Year of the Hawaiian" celebration held at the Aloha Stadium for 40,000 people.
His passing is a great loss to his family and our community.
He was predeceased by infant daughter Jan Ipolani Kaikaina; brothers George Kamakea, Daniel, Frank Kekahuna; sisters Shirley Leimomi Hao, Joan Uilani Kekauoha, Lanna Lehua Keliihoomalu, Janet Kaui Len Wai; cousins Hiram and John Kamakea.
Services will be held Friday, January 27, 2023, at Borthwick Mortuary Maunakea Chapel. Visitation: 11 a.m., Service: 12 noon. Burial: 3 p.m. at Valley of the Temples, Kaneohe.
