Kenneth L. Quilantang, Jr.'s Obituary
Kenneth Quilantang, Jr. Obituary
Ken Quilantang passed away peacefully on May 16, 2025. He was with his wife Gail and son Jon. He was a wonderful husband and father, an excellent writer, and beloved teacher and colleague. Ken represents the very best of the University of Hawaii. After graduating from Waianae High School, he obtained an associate degree from Kapiolani Community College and subsequently a bachelor’s degree and master's degree from the University of Hawaii-Manoa. In 2015, Ken was hired by Honolulu Community College to teach English. Five years later, he was awarded tenure. Ken was a master teacher and distinguished himself for his willingness to help students and his sincere concern for them as people. His colleague Hae Eun Song shares that, "One day, Ken saw a student sitting alone on the stairs. Instead of just walking by, he stopped to ask if the student was okay. Ken noticed something was bothering him. It was not one of his students, and I was very moved." Although his years weren't long, Ken experienced profound love, from his wife Gail and son Jon, his large family, and his students and colleagues. Ken was also a craftsman, which is evident in his excellent fiction but also in the marvelous costumes he created for comic cons locally and on the mainland. The writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry observed that after passing, "the essence of man is revealed. Man is a knot, a web, a mesh into which relationships are tied. Only those relationships matter.” Jerry S., friend and colleague
Here are just a few people fortunate enough to have known Ken:
"Ken had a huge heart. He didn't see students as 'students' separate from their lives; he saw them as whole people, each with their unique characters, strengths, and flaws. Ken never judged others or looked down on them. He saw people clearly, but he was the most compassionate and humble person I knew. Even when faced with a guy in the neighboring bed at Queens who kept yelling and moaning every 5 minutes for 3 whole days, depriving him of much-needed rest, Ken didn't get angry or frustrated. He told me, 'It's sad. He's all alone. Ken had a gift for loving people. I miss him." Charlene G., friend and colleague
"Ken was ever helpful and fun to be around. He was my go-to person when I had car-problem questions, real and imagined. Once, my family needed to move to a new apartment, and when he heard, he immediately offered help. I asked for one trip with his truck, but he wouldn’t listen until we made several and finished the job. Ken would sometimes regale his friends with stories of growing up in Waianae. I fondly remember his facial expressions when he narrated the (mis)adventures of his youth and the story of his first meeting with Gail. Ken loved Nepali food and said he had a Nepali gene in him – I hope he will be reborn as a mountaineer and scale Everest several times!" Bed P., friend and colleague
"Ken was a vibrant soul whose passion for cosplay and storytelling left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. He poured his heart into creating elaborate cosplay costumes, each stitch a tribute to his late brother, whose memory he honored. His legacy lives on in every costume he crafted and in every story he told. Ken tirelessly wove stories that celebrated the authentic spirit of West Side Hawai?i, capturing its culture and heart. I will never forget his reading with the Bamboo Ridge group as part of the Language Arts Guest Speaker Series. He invited to others to feel the culture and heart of Hawai?i?s people, as he had all his life. His writing—raw, real, and deeply heartfelt—shared the messages of his community. Ken will be greatly missed, a unique, special soul." Brenda C., friend and colleague
"Ken was an incredibly competent, caring, and positive team player, always going above and beyond in his role as an instructor. He had a remarkable passion for ensuring every student's success, making real-world writing skills come alive in his classes and consistently going the extra mile to help students improve their writing. Beyond his professional achievements, Ken's gentle, caring, and reliable personality, along with his unique passions like Comic-Con – which he once shared in a memorable college library presentation with his son dressed as a superhero – are what truly defined him. His most enduring legacy, however, lies in the values and sense of being he imparted to his son and to all of us who had the privilege of working alongside him. I was able to visit with him for nearly an hour earlier this month at Queens Hospital, and even though he looked frail, his sincere, genuine, and honest spirit, which we all knew so well, was then completely undimmed." Jeff S., friend and colleague
Comments from his students:
"Professor Ken was a great professor in my opinion. He cared about everyone in the class and would treat us with a lot of respect. He is a very helpful professor as well. There was times where I couldn't really grasp what was happening in the class and he offered a lot of support."
"Professor Ken was one of the best teachers I've had so far. He was always willing to help. If you're thinking about taking his class, TAKE IT! I had no regrets. He made time for me when I needed help. He is also a local kine guy, so another plus. I highly recommend him to everyone."
"Ken is very engaging with the students and promotes a social atmosphere to the point that everyone is comfortable speaking and interacting with others. Communicate with him about what’s going on with your life and he will work with you accordingly."
"He will help you until the end of time and is always available when needed. His response is quick. In class, he's always helping you to better your writing abilities!"
Comments from his childhood friends:
"The hardest thing to do is say good bye to someone you'll never see again. Specially when that someone shares a lifetime of memories with you. Most of my memories was shared with you Boy and as well as The Boys from Pulapula pl. I always had this saying in my head " Pulapula was where friends became brothers and brothers became friends ". That was us boys. The boys from Pulapula pl. We was placed strategically in that place at the same time for us to be brothers for a life time. That was close to 40 years ago and not a moment went by that I didn't reminisce about " back in the day". Those days kept me going and laughing along the years. As we got older and moved away from Pulapula and started our own families, our families became close as well raising eachothers children and sharing our memories and moments with them. The smile and the disbelief on their faces while we tell our " back in the day" stories to them was just priceless. And those memories we all shared together were priceless. Those memories are my personal treasures. As I'm looking back,I'm filled with emotions both sad and happy. We'll never get those moments back,but the memories will remain with us for a life time.with that being said.. Rest easy Boy. Your journey on earth has ended now your journey in the next life begins. Have a good journey my brother. Till our paths cross again. I love you and most of all Thank You." Walter B., friend
"I want to share this photo of back in 1989 because it brings back many memories, i think I was about 12 in this. Well today holds a sad and heavy, heart for me and many others. We lost a great Father, brother an uncle, a great person to say the least yesterday. The best story teller I ever known, "tall tales from boy we would say" lol.. He would make you laugh with his antics or clumsiness just to to fill your day full of positivity. We have so many memories to share because of you "Boy". And we thank you for that. Thank you for supporting me when I was starting my Journey as a Barber back in the day, for allowing me to be creative with cutting your hair. I loved when you would book an appt with me and say " Bucks cut my hair, can? " .. we'd share moments of when we was growing up as always when you sat in my chair. I'm glad I got to share a last moment on the phone with you before Eloise was born. We had a 2hr conversation and I remember one of the last sentences you told me, you said " Jo I know you're gonna be a great Father to your daughter " that sentence is tattooed in my heart and I hold that standard to this day. I'm proud to have known you and proud to have been blessed with your presence. I Thank the lord for blessing us with you. Rest in Love Boy till we meet again. Pula pula Boys for life! .. I Love you." Joe B., friend
"To my dear friend Ken ‘Boy’, the memories of all of the things we did will always live on (in our hearts, mind, and families).", Don D., friend
At night, with the damp darkness
Laying out all my feelings
My heart slips silently towards the side
The slanting rain taps a code on the ground
Telling the of stories
Of friends growing up in a special place
Filing my life of the fondly memories
The tears unseen with a wipe
Only seen through the light
The voices in my head provides the spark
In sections and portions made of you
Big and small, inside and outside
One day I will be at heavens door
Walking past the moon light
Of angels waiting for love ones
Separating the pale glow of night
From the twinkling stars,
I fly towards you and see you again.
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