Birth date: Oct 11, 1940 Death date: Apr 5, 2026
Harry Kwon Obituary for Website Harry Kwon passed away peacefully at home in Wahiawa, Hawaii, on April 5, 2026, at the age of 85. Harry was born in Lahaina, Maui, and graduated from Lahainaluna High School. He joined the U.S. Army Read Obituary
To the family of CSM Harry Kwon,
My deepest condolences for your loss. CSM Kwon was my JROTC instructor at Leilehua High School from 1992 to 1994, during a time when I was just a young man trying to find my way. His mentorship and leadership inspired me to do something meaningful with my life. He motivated me to join the military—a path I had never seriously considered or even wanted to do at the time. That single decision, driven by his guidance, changed the entire trajectory of my life and led to a proud 26-year career in the armed forces.
CSM Kwon was a man of unwavering service. Even after retiring from both the military and the DOE, his dedication never faded. I remember seeing him at Solomon Elementary with the JPO cadets, having them "dress right dress" exactly like the Drill Sergeant he was. Later, while I was stationed at Schofield Barracks, I would often run into him at Martinez Gym at 0500 hours, already getting after his PT. To me, he was a giant of a man. He seemed invincible.
His leadership and the genuine care he showed as an instructor ultimately inspired me to follow in his footsteps. After I retired from active duty, I became an Army JROTC instructor myself, hoping to do for future generations what he did for me. So much of what I carried into my military career was because of the example he set and the standard I wanted to emulate. His attention to detail, his immaculate uniform appearance, and his commanding presence were simply unmatched.
Today, teaming up at Waipahu High School with Michael Ligsay—another of his former cadets—we have taken an average program and turned it into a drill team dynasty in Hawaii, winning a National title, three Pacific championships in the last five years, and numerous other accolades. Every bit of that success we attribute directly to what CSM Kwon taught us and the example he lived by.
He was a true leader and a role model to so many cadets who went on to serve our country and have phenomenal careers. The ripple effects of his service to his community will be felt for years to come; he leaves behind a living legacy of excellence.
Over the past couple of months, I had been trying to contact him just to say thank you one more time for his service and the impact he had on my life. I find peace in knowing that many of us did get the chance to express our gratitude to him over the years. In his classic, humble way, he would always accept it graciously and simply say, "I’m glad you guys are doing great."
I want to take this opportunity to let his family know exactly how much your husband, father, brother, and uncle meant to us, and how dearly he will be missed. CSM Harry Kwon was a giant among men, and his memory and legacy will never be erased.
Respectfully,
Ivan J Alvira
SFC, USA (Ret)
&
All Mighty Mule BN Cadets
My deepest prayers and heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Kwon.
Mr. Kwon was truly one of the great teachers during my time at LHS. He was more than an educator—he was a mentor who made a lasting impact on so many students through his kindness, patience, and dedication. His lessons reached far beyond the classroom, and the influence he had on our lives will never be forgotten.
Praying that God surrounds the Kwon family with His peace, strength, and comfort during this difficult time. May you find comfort in knowing that Mr. Kwon’s legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” — Matthew 5:4
Rest in peace, Mr. Kwon. Thank you for everything. You will always be remembered.
I have so many memories of my Dad. Although he was not my biological father he chose to love and raise me as his own from the time I was a child. He never made me feel like anything less than his daughter. He loved my mom with unwavering devotion and spent his life caring for her in both the big and small ways that defined their marriage. He was a proud and devoted Papa to his grandchildren. He celebrated their accomplishments, encouraged them, and gave them a role model whose character spoke louder than words. They were blessed to grow up knowing his quiet strength, integrity, and kindness. His life was one of service- to his family, his community, and to anyone in need. He leaves behind more than memories; he leaves a legacy of compassion, humility, and a strong moral compass that will continue to guide all of us. We will miss him deeply, love him always and strive to honor his example every day.
Sergeant Major Kwon was a man that I looked up to as a cadet at Leilehua from 1989-1993. He was the ultimate professional and he made you want to better yourself in every endeavor. I didn’t fully realize or appreciate it until early in my own army career that he was preparing us to be strong men with integrity and character and a desire to serve others. He built in all of us an unbreakable resilience that is largely lacking in today’s high school environment. I remember his booming voice that you couldn’t ignore and the endless laps that he would run around the LHS campus. He was in better physical shape as a retiree than all of us teenager cadets. He encouraged me to apply to West Point and I thought of him often when I was facing something difficult. I became at JROTC instructor at Kahuku and now in Colorado because I wanted to impart the same impact on kids that he had on me. May God bless you Sergeant Major and accept you into His kingdom. I pray for you and your family that He will ease their grief at your passing.
LTC (ret) Daniel K. Dorado
