Mitchell Kapunilio Keawe's Obituary
Mitchell Kapunilio Keawe Obituary
Mitchell Kapunilio Keawe
April 19, 1949 ~ March 6, 2024
Mitchell was born on April 19, 1949, at home in Nanakuli at the family’s homestead lot – Lot #62.
He lived there until the age of 34, wow…kinda old, until Elzadia Momilani Navarro came along! (More on that later.)
Mitchell loved living at that particular location because it was walking distance to the beach…to the river, under the road, pass (or thru?) the stink pond, and wala! you’re at Zablan beach!
Mitchell loved the ocean. He spent much of his time swimming, surfing, and paddling canoe with Leeward Kai canoe club. He paddled across the Moloka’i channel 10 years in a row with Leeward Kai! School was within walking distance too, but if the ocean called, guess where he went?!
Mitchell worked at Pepsi Cola for 37 years. He would hitch-hike or catch ride with whomever offered because from Nanakuli to town was a long haul! He became an avid runner/jogger working on his endurance for paddling. Back in “those” days shoes were not as sophisticated as they are now and Mitchell ran in whatever shoes was available. Thus, his ugly toes…ugliest you ever seen…or I ever seen anyways!
Mitchell happened on to Nanaikapono Protestant Church (NPC) when they were located on Farrington Hwy. At age 17, he walked into the church and was hooked. He gave his life to Jesus and served with “all the old ladies” that he met that fateful day in the church! He eventually would help with re-locating the new church building to its new current location. Mitchell was a faithful servant at NPC serving as the “blue bus” driver, deacon, handyman for any job, and served on the church council for many years. And that’s where Momilani enters the picture! Mitchell and Momi were married on February 5, 1983. Mitchell Jr, aka Kapuni, was born in 1984. Heali’i was born in 1988. Heali’i was born with a heart condition, and he unexpectedly went to be with Jesus in 2011. Mitchell joined Heali’i on March 6, 2024.
We will celebrate his life on Friday, April 19, 2024, with a service at Zablan beach, aka Forac, in Nanakuli, by the stink pond!
Service will begin at 10:00am. Mitchell’s and Heali’i’s remains will be scattered at Zablan beach.
Mitchell Kapunilio Keawe, whom I called “Hon”, “babe”, “Mr. Keawe”, was a quiet guy with a BIG heart. I am so thankful that I was a part of that big heart, and he was a part of our lives. “I love you, hon!”
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