Josiah Lanakila "Black" Hoohuli Sr.'s Obituary
JOSIAH LANAKILA BLACK HOOHULI SR With heavy hearts, we, the descendants of Josiah Lanakila "Black" Hoohuli Sr., offer these words of remembrance for our beloved makuakane.
In his 86th year, he departed this life on November 9, 2025, at Moanalua, O'ahu, where the kukui once flourished, surrounded by those who loved him. He was born December 30, 1938, in Nanakuli, O'ahu, among the coastal puhala. He was the fourth son of Joseph Kahapea Pa'ahao and Kulani (Lima) Hoohuli, and the eleventh of fourteen siblings, seven brothers and seven sisters, of chiefly, priestly, and warrior ancestry. He was the last of his generation, his siblings now gathered in Heaven.
On August 17, 1963, in Nanakuli, O'ahu, he married our cherished makuahine, Velma Lou Leinaala "Leina" Adams. They shared thirty nine years together, from which arose a great and loving 'ohana. After her passing on August 4, 2002, he remained a widower until they were reunited in eternal rest. Auwe! A truly good and faithful man, there was none upon this earth who stood as he did. He was a devoted father to four sons and three daughters, a pillar of strength for his mo'opuna, and makua to our many cousins and hanai 'ohana members. His strength and example endure.
Today, fifty seven living descendants carry his name, teachings, and legacy. His early years were spent in Nanakuli among nourishing 'ulu trees, and in Honolulu near Kawaiaha'o, where the milo provided shade. He attended high school in Waipahu and spent many days along the shoreline, catching he'e and gathering oysters with his younger brothers among the pohuehue and hau. In this way, he upheld the legacy of those lands. He served in the United States Marine Corps before dedicating fifty six years to the Hawai'i Department of Education. As Head Custodian at Nanakuli Elementary School and Nanakuli High and Intermediate School, he poured his mana into places where generations learned and gathered.
He retired on August 1, 2024. He demonstrated his commitment to the Wai'anae Coast by partnering with community leaders and expanded access to medical care. He contributed to the establishment of the Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center and the expansion of Kaiser Medical services to underserved people. Through decades of service with organizations including the Wai'anae Jaycees and Ahupua'a o Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead, he supported housing, neighborhood improvement, and public well being. He helped establish Nanakuli Christmas on the Avenue, served as President of the Nanakuli Pop Warner Association, and guided keiki entrusted to his care. He protected the 'aina and opposed developments that threatened the land, including the proposed E-Wind project at Paleihua.
He supported the Purple Spot rezone to preserve Ma'o Farm and critical Westside public safety infrastructure, including the West Coast Emergency Access Road, the Farrington Highway Parallel Road, and Kolekole Pass. By advising NAGPRA and the U.S. Naval Public Works Hawai'i, and sitting with the Lualualei Restoration Advisory Board, and the https://U.S.Navy Kupuna Team, he affirmed the voices of the lahui. He offered cultural guidance and safeguarded iwi kupuna and land and water rights. Though firmly rooted on the Leeward Coast, his counsel extended across the Hawaiian Islands and to Aotearoa, always focused on kuleana for the lahui.
A founder of Ho'ala Kanawai and Ka Lahui Hawai'i, he guided Native Hawaiians in land rights and entitlements. He stood with Pa Kua Lua and Ka 'Ohana o Kalaupapa and supported Hawaiian education through Kula Kaiapuni and the relocation of Kawaihona o Ka Na'auao Charter School from Makaha to Nanakuli, ensuring 'ike kupuna remained rooted where it belonged. Having set down these remembrances, we extend our gratitude and aloha to our beloved father who has gone before us. As are the plantings of each land to which he belonged, so too is his life returned to Ke Akua. "I mea e kapa 'ia ai lakou he mau la'au pono, ka kanu 'ana a Iehova, i ho'onani 'ia ai 'o ia." (Isaia 61:3).
He is survived by sons Ivanhoe Alowano "Boy" Hoohuli; Josiah Lanakila "Juna" Hoohuli Jr. (Levina "Noe"); Donald Kelii "Macky" Hoohuli (Johnette "Jay"); daughters Rachel Leimomi "Momi" Conner and Olinda Leinaala "Nina" Fisher; fifteen grandchildren, twenty eight great grandchildren, and five great great grandchildren. Services honoring his life will be held Friday, February 6, 2026, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., and Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Mililani Mortuary Mauka Chapel.
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