Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 24, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 2007 — Thomas Kaʻauwai Kaulukukui [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Thomas Kaʻauwai Kaulukukui

Jan. 22, 13l3-March ū, 2ŪŪ7

The ehapel at the Kāne'ohe Stake of the Church of Iesus Christ of Latter Day Saints overflowed with hundreds of 'ohana, friends and admirers at services for fonner OHA Trustee and Chairman Thomas Kaulukukui, who passed away March 9. "Unele Tonuny" was characterized as a great teacher and a lifelong learner, as church officials, family members and friends celebrated his 94-year legacy. Unele Tonnny's own

parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were also aeknowledged - from whom he received his mana. "He was humhle, yet he was very proud. He was gentle, but he was very competitive," said Kaulukukui's son, Tonnny Ir., noting the Hawaiian dualism in those descriptions of his father. "He was so very proud to be Hawaiian." Born in Kohala and raised in Hilo, Kaulukukui excelled in sports. Although only 5'5" and 145 lbs. at the time, he earned 17 athletic letters in four sports. In 1935, he heeame the first UH football player to be named as an All American. In his senior year at the University of Hawai'i in 1937, he was team captain in football, baseball and basketball, and served as student body president. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, held several coaching positions, and was federal marshal for the District of Hawai'i prior to serving his people as an OHA trustee. After retirement, Kaulukukui was elected to the original OHA board in 1980 as an at-large trustee. While at OHA, he initiated what is now the Hawaiian Registry Program as a means to identify and locate Hawaiians wherever they lived. He retired from the board in 1993 at the age of 80. "He served as trustee during sometimes tumultuous meetings where 'all hell would break loose,"' said former OHA Administrator Richard Paglinawan. "He was a very good listener, and would weigh the pros and cons - he was an outstanding Hawaiian leader." Together with his wife of 67 years, Felice, Kaulukukui raised two sons, Tommy Ir. and Donald, and a daughter, Malina. His survivors also include brothers Solomon and Glenn, and several grand- and great-grandchildren. The 'ōlelo no'eau selected for his funeral program alludes to a person of outstanding achievements: 'Oni kalalea ke kū a ka lā'au loa - a tall tree stands above all others. Thomas Ka'auwai Kaulukukui Sr. did just that. Aloha nō ...