Christian M. Kealohanui

Ke’anae, Hawaii – It was a pleasure knowing my father-in-law.  I first met him at the “People’s Cafe” (a Hawaiian food restaurant) in downtown Honolulu (O’ahu).  At that point, I had only met my two (2) sister-in-laws, my brother-in-law, and his Son.  This family was very interesting.  Very giving, and always looking out to see if I was comfortable, okay, and concerned if I had enough to eat and drink type of thing.  

This was a change from the situation (shall we say) that I was used to.  I had just turned thirty (30) and moved back in with my parents at their home to reset my life from a whirlwind of chaos.  And so I was intrigued to learn more and know more about all of my in-laws.  I was constantly surrounded by so much love and laughter and I knew I was at a turning point in my life.  

When we arrived at People’s Cafe, I was briefed that my Mother-in-Law was back on Maui while my Father-in-Law was on O’ahu taking care of some business and also to purchase a new vehicle for one of my Sister-in-Laws.  That fact alone about purchasing a new vehicle for one of his daughters made it that much more interesting to meet him.  Already this seemed like someone who was invested in his family.  

He turned out to be a very charismatic person.  A very “Hawaiian” man.  Pidgin English but with a witty sense of sophistication. He gave me the impression that yes, he was Hawaiian, but a Hawaiian who wanted more for his family.  Where the aim in life was to have their kids and grandkids get to the next level of success.  And he was very funny too; outspoken.  He had a distinct personality (one-of-a-kind).  All of his children and grandchild adored him.  

This helped me to appreciate the strong men in my life.  My own Father was a very distinct man.  He taught me about hard work and to want the finer things in life.  He taught me about Jesus (which is huge).  My father would take me to work with him and an Uncle of mine (my Mother’s youngest sister’s husband) when I was a young teen.  They were the jack of all trades; they’d take me on re-roofing jobs, construction, masonry, electrical jobs – I thought it was all boring but at the same time, I learned that you get paid for what you work for.  But they showed me love by teaching me about work and how important it is to make it in the real world.  My father – he was the kind of person who no one had anything bad to say about, God rest his soul.  My Uncle – he always provided for his family and had also taken me under his wing at one point.  He has horses and he would let me ride with them in exchange for cleaning stables and helping to groom the horses.  

Another role model was my Grandfather (My Mother’s Father) – he was also a distinct man.  Although he was a strict man, and hard to get close to for many of my family members, he was hardworking and always provided for his family.  He gave me my first job at a local polo field where I helped him, my father, and one of my father’s brothers build a fence along the highway adjacent to the polo field.  I would also regularly rake leaves under the trees where polo players would dock their horses prior to Saturday games.  He passed away about five (5) years after my lovely Grandmother.  Toward the final years of his life, I ended up being one of his favorites.  I think because he saw a lot of himself in me.  Hardheaded but with potential to be a hardworking man such as himself.  At his funeral, I, along with one of my older girl cousins who was also his favorite, gave his eulogy.  Lastly, my Mother’s brother (oldest sibling) was also a huge role model in my life.  He was strict with his own kids and his nephews and nieces.  He was all about structure and hard work which was what I needed.  He is also a jack of all trades, like my Father and my other Uncle.

Point being, my father-in-law had so much love, knowledge, and personality to offer people around him that it made me want to learn more and more about him. I learned that he worked in Ka’anapali for forty (40) years as a bell hop.  He had the personality for it.  He also owned his own Taxi service.  He was a people person and very talkative.  As a bell hop, he put all three (3) of his children through college.   

His favorite beach is a place called, “Honomanu”.  It is a bay that is located along the famous road to Hana.  Just before the bend leading to Ke’anae, there is a dirt road that leads all the way down to the bay.  There is a stream that empties into the bay making that area brackish water.  I’ve heard so many stories from the family and even himself about how he would pick Opihi from the rocks that line the perimeter of the bay.  They would take camping trips almost every weekend when his kids were young.  And he would fish and pick Opihi and my Mother-in-Law would prepare the Fish and Opihi on the Hibachi.  

My father-in-law went home to be with Jesus in May of 2020. But his memory lives on with us through our memories and stories we share about him.  

Every time I drive the Hana Highway, I always think of him and the sacrifices he made so that his family could succeed in life.  That is the kind of person I want to emulate.  Strong men who would do anything for their family.