Daniel Keolamauloa Kalili's Obituary
Daniel Kalili Obituary
Daniel Keolamauloa Kalili passed from this life on November 20, 2023, in the intensive care unit at Pali Momi Medical Center after suffering a fall and brain injury. His family, friends, and loved ones will celebrate his life on January 25 at the Mililani Memorial Park Mauka Chapel beginning with a visitation at 5:30 p.m. and a service to follow at 6:30 p.m. Daniel will be interred at the Hawai‘i State Veterans Cemetery in Kane‘ohe on January 26 at 1:00 p.m.
On August 22, 1954, John and Peggy Kalili welcomed Daniel, their first child, in Hana, Maui. Daniel’s early childhood followed his father’s ministry and theological training and he grew up in Hale‘iwa, Kalihi, and Princeton, New Jersey. He attended Kapalama Elementary and Kalihi Waena Elementary Schools until he was accepted to the Kamehameha Schools in 7th grade. Daniel is a proud graduate of Kamehameha, Class of 1972. I mua!
In 1972, Congressman Matsunaga appointed Daniel to the U.S. Naval Academy. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering and was commissioned an Ensign on June 2, 1976. Daniel’s service in the U.S. Navy spanned 27 years and included tours on several ships and over eight years of duty in the Middle East including an assignment to the U.S. Military Training Mission to Saudi Arabia where he served as an advisor to the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
In 1977, Daniel met RoseLee Lopes at Camp Smith where they both celebrated the graduation of her brother from the U.S. Naval Academy. They married in 1980, and in 1981 RoseLee gave birth to their daughter, DreanaLee. Together, they went where the U.S. Navy sent them – Newport, San Diego, Portland, Riyadh – and they traveled extensively across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Commander Kalili retired in 2003 and embarked on a second career working for the Hawai‘i State Legislature. Daniel worked for several members of the House of Representatives and was best known for his efficiency qnd organization skills in addition to his chicken hekka, beef tomato, and delicious baked goods.
In his retirement, Daniel served as the president and a deacon of the ‘Auwaiolimu Congregational Church, advised Congregational Church of Wahiawa, ran the kitchen for Walk to Emmaus Hawai‘i, and supported churches and missions work across Hawai‘i and the world. He was also a member of the Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club and the Elizabeth Kahanu Hawaiian Civic Club.
Daniel is survived by RoseLee and DreanaLee, his mother Peggy and sisters Joy and Ruth, his father-in-law Alexander Lopes, Sr., three grandcats (Mila, Stewie, and Gil Grissom), and a host of aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, shipmates, fellow Warriors, capitol colleagues, and friends.
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