Obituary Notices: Week of June 3, 2018

Clifford Nahinu Kekauoha

Clifford Nahinu Kekauoha
March 12, 1929 – May 26, 2018

Clifford Nāhinu Kekauoha, 89, of Kula, Maui, left this world on Saturday, May 26, 2018. Born in Kīlauea, Kauaʻi and raised in Hanalei, he was the youngest son of George Kaluna Kekauoha and Esther Chong Kekauoha and had 3 brothers, George, Willard, and Wallace, and 1 sister, Barbara Aldous. In 1947, he graduated from the Kamehameha School for Boys and then attended BYU Provo, where he met his wife, Leināʻala Goodness Kekauoha. He graduated with a B.S. in Biology in 1951. Much of his life was devoted to education. A high school biology teacher for 39 years, Clifford Kekauoha (or “Mr. K” as he was called) taught at Molokaʻi, Lahainaluna, and Baldwin High Schools before his retirement in 1990. He was a devout Mormon who had attained membership in the high priesthood of the Kahului Ward of the Church of Latter-Day Saints. A man of many gifts, he was also a self-taught musician who sang beautifully and played the tenor ʻukulele and organ. He enjoyed fishing, diving, growing and cooking food, sudoku and crossword puzzles, as well as learning ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.

All who knew him will miss his poetic, thoughtful prayers, his kolohe sense of humor and quick wit, his fried fish, his lessons on how to love, respect, mix, and eat poi, and the strength and compassion with which he helped all who needed him. He loved spending time with his ʻohana and was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who will be greatly missed. He is survived by his loving wife, Leināʻala; daughters Laura Lei Kekauoha and Stacy Ching [Casey Ching]; grandchildren Brandy Nālani McDougall [Craig Perez], Janelle McDougall-Shaw [Justin Shaw], Cherie Hoshino, Dawn Hoshino, Taylor Ching, and Keʻala Ching; and great-grandchildren Kawaianu Shaw, Easton Nāhinu Shaw, Kaikainaliʻi Perez, and Kuʻuleihiwahiwa Perez.

Services will be held Saturday, June 9th at Norman’s Mortuary at 11 a.m. (preceded by public viewing from 9 to 11 a.m.), and his burial will be at 2 p.m. at Maui Memorial Park.