Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 1993 — Former OHA trustee Manu Kahaialii dies [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Former OHA trustee Manu Kahaialii dies

At their monthly business meeting on Maui on June 30, the OHA Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to recognize former trustee Manu Kahaialii, who passed away June 29 at Maui Memonal Hospital after a long illness. He was 57. Wilmont Manu Kahaialii was born June 19, 1936 in Kona, Hawai'i. He was educated at. Lāna'i and Nānāikapono elementary and intermediate schools. He graduated from Waipahu High School in 1952. He was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran. He later continued his education at Maui Community College in 1979. He was a talented entertainer who appeared in the movie "Hawai'i" and the television

series "Hawai'i Five-0" and eaptivated audiences as a musician at various Kā'anapali hotels. He

was known on his island as a radio disk jockey and produced a regular show, "Unele Manu's

Corner." He demonstrated his commitment to Hawaiian people through leadership roles in numerous groups including the Kahuna Lā'au Lapa'au O Maui (Hawaiian herbalists), Hui O Kekaulike, and Friends of Keopuolani. He was an active member of several organizations including the West Maui Kiwanis Club and the West Maui Businessmen's Association. He served as a kupuna to Maui's children, teaching Hawaiian language and culture at Lahaina Intermediate, 'Iao School, Kamehameha III School and Holy Innocents preschool. Kahaialii served as OHA trustee between 1986 and 1990. He was chairman of the programs eom-

mittee in 1989 and vice chairman of the external affairs committee in 1987. During his campaign and throughout his term as trustee, he acknowledged the importance of teaching Hawaiians new skills to ensure their contributions to a progressive Hawaiian community, and was a staunch supporter of promoting and preserving Hawaiian culture. The OHA board expressed its appreciation for his significant contributions to the Hawaiian community and public and expressed its sympathy to the Kahaialii family. Services were held July 8 and 9 at the LDS church in Kahului. Burial was held at Puehuihueike Cemetery.

Manu Kahaialii was recently featured in the Eddie Kamae film, "The Hawaiian Way." Photo by Myrna Kamae