Kahu Wendell Patrick Kalanikapuaenui Silva

March  17th, 1943 October  4th, 2024
ʻĀhuimanu
Kahu Wendell Patrick Kalanikapuaenui Silva

Ka Mālamalama Kuakea ʻOle o ke Aloha ~
The Never Fading Light of Aloha.

A full life at a (very tiny) glance

Kahu was the light of aloha, a beacon of Hawaiian spirituality-a man whose life is a tribute to the power of service to Ke Akua (God) and the people of Hawai‘i. His journey was one of devotion and a deep sense of kuleana (responsibility). As prophesied before he was born, Kalanikapuaenui was a highly respected kahuna pule (prayer expert), kanaka ‘i ‘imi ike (scholar) and kumu a‘o (teacher). He descends from an ancestral lineage of spiritual healers that have kept their sacred teachings hidden for centuries. He was the chosen keeper of their secrets.

As Kahu Nui (senior minister) of Ke Aloha O Kalani Ministry which Wendell and Sharon founded in 2003, he beautifully blended his Hawaiian and Christian traditions into his daily practice which teaches the value of living pono - a life of goodness and aloha. He wove this into the weddings, keiki blessings and Celebrations of Life in thousands of ceremonies.

Wendell’s education at the UH and his commendable 4 years in the Air Force, launched his quest to uplift lives and build community. In 1971, he pioneered and established Lanakila Craft’s Meals for the Elderly Dining Program. It grew to become Oahu’s largest meal service, delivering 576,000 meals yearly. He expanded the program, creating a dining hall and initiating social and leisure activities often entertaining the seniors with his songs and ‘ukulele. The Honolulu Commission on Aging praised his hard work as a “dedicated public servant who has ministered faithfully and unselfishly… without thought of personal gain or glory.”

In his executive role at Kalihi-Pālama Culture & Arts for 15 years, Wendell co-founded with his cousin Nalani Olds, the Prince Lot Hula Festival. In 1976, the first Queen Lili‘uokalani Keiki Hula Festival was held in ‘A‘ala Park as part of a community ho‘olaule‘a. Over the decades, this event blossomed enriching the lives of over 25,000 young dancers. The 50th anniversary of this competition will be celebrated in 2025. KPC&A and Wendell were commended by the legislature in 2020 for their “service to keiki and the Native Hawaiian Culture.”

Kahu blessed legislative openings and inspired our leaders with his messages of aloha. In 1990, while serving as Hawaii’s first Hawaiian director of the State Foundation on Culture & Arts, he represented 3 governors at state and global events. He hosted royalty and US presidents while finding greatest joy in connecting with the ordinary people. He was appointed Chairman of the United Nations Year of the Older Adult, he blessed the VA Center for Aging at Triple Hospital, and performed dedication ceremonies at Punchbowl and the Kāne‘ohe Veteran’s Cemetery. He planned and organized several state functions and participated in many Hawaiian cultural events.

A hard worker, Wendell wore many hats, working 2 or 3 jobs both day and night for decades including for his own company, Hawai‘i Cultural Services. He and Sharon made a great creative team. As a kumu a‘o (teacher), Kahu conducted workshops, seminars and had many keynote speaking engagements for schools, non-profits and corporations. He was the voice that brought life to cultural education films, TV commercials and an animated film. As a mea kākau (author), Kahu published several books about Hawaiian spirituality, mysticism and the bestseller, ‘Ano Lani: ‘Ano Honua . A multi-talented artist, Wendell wrote several mele, oli, recorded albums and sang with many of Hawaii’s musical greats. Wendell charmed audiences with his beautiful voice, humor and spirit for 50 years. As the featured vocalist/MC for a local lū‘au, Wendell kept every performance fresh and audiences captivated. He proudly sang his winning theme song for the 1987 Year of the Hawaiian, Ho‘olako Hawai‘i , at the Statue of Liberty. The City Council proclaimed Wendell a “valuable asset to our Hawai‘i and indeed, a living multi-faceted cultural treasure, being a scholar of our culture, language and history...” Among his many achievements, Kahu’s greatest legacy is his light of aloha. It will forever shine in the heart of Hawai‘i. Let us honor and pay tribute to Kahu’s memory by living with the same joy, kindness and devotion to making the world a better place, one act of aloha at a time.

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Please note this website is still being developed. We invite you to add your stories and photos to the memory wall.

Timeline

1943
March 17th
Born Wendell Patrick Kalanikapuaenui Silva 
Honolulu
1961
Graduated St. Louis High School
1966
Joined US Air Force
1966
Graduated University of Hawaii
1971
Lanakila Crafts, Coordinator
 Developed and managed Hawaii’s first Meals on Wheels Senior Dining program
1974
Kalihi-Palama Culture & Arts Society, Executive Director
Established Hawaii Arts in the Prison Program and Exhibition, and
Hawaii’s first Kumu Hula seminars
1975
Founder Queen Liliuokalani Keiki Hula Festival with George Naope
1975
Marries Sharon
1976
Founder: Hawaii Secondary Schools Hula Kahiko Competition
1977
Co-founder, Prince Lot Hula Festival with cousin Nalani Olds
1979
Becomes a Father - First son Jayson born
1983
Becomes a father for second time - son Mark born
1984
Author, Nānā I Nā Loea Hula 
1986
Co-Founder with wife Sharon, Hawaii Cultural Services, LLC
1986
Kahu's song "Ho‘olako Hawaii" wins a competition and is chosen as the official theme song of the Yea
1986
Helped organize Hawaii’s contribution to the rededication of the Statue of Liberty where he pres
1987
 Recognized as Hawaiian Cultural Treasure
City & County of Honolulu Proclamation
1990
Creator and Sponsor, Folk Life Festival Hawaii
a 3-Day Event, Magic Island
1990
Executive Director, Hawaii State Foundation on Culture & the Arts
1992
Governor’s Cultural Representative/State Liaison
Festival of Pacific Arts, Seafaring Heritage/No Nā Mamo, Cook Islands.
1993
Planning Committee Member, Onipa`a - Five Days in the History of the Hawaiian Nation Centennial O
1994
Keynote Speaker, Directions for Tourism Kaua`i Style, The Culture & the Arts in Heritage Touri
1995
Co-Founder with wife Sharon and Executive Director, Kahuna Nui (Senior Priest), Ke Aloha O Kala
1995
Grand Marshal of Aloha Week Festivals
1997
Governor’s Cultural Representative/State Liaison, Okinawa Peace Memorial Observance
1997
Appointed by Gov. Cayetano to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs
2009
Becomes a grandfather to granddaughter Skye 
2012
Author and Voice on Hawaiian Birth Signs Nā Hō`ailona Hānau - The Hawaiian Lunar Calendar Audiobook
2013
Hawaiian Birth Signs, Nā Hō`ailona Hānau, The Hawaiian Lunar Calendar 
2015
Author, Nā Mahina Hawai`i
2015
Voice Artist &Narrator in Flim,  Pa`a Ke Aupuni: The Reel History of the Overthrow of the H
2017
Author, Ano Lani; `Ano Honua, A Heavenly Nature; An Earthly Nature
2018
Author, Ano Lani; `Ano Honua, Hawaiian Mystic Moon Charts,
2020
Recognized by Hawaii State Legislature for his achievements and service to keiki and native Hawaiian
2020
Author, Hawaiian Prayers for Life Events

Gallery


Videos

Memory Wall

Share your Hali‘a Aloha (Cherished Memories


Family tree

Alfred Keokalani Silva
Agnes Bernice Ferreira 
Sharon Silva
Gary Silva
Albernie Iwilani "Pinky" Silva
Mark Silva
Jason Silva
Skye Silva
Gary Silva
Albernie Iwilani "Pinky" Silva
Sharon Silva
Mark Silva
Jason Silva
Skye Silva
Kahu Wendell Patrick Silva

Favorites


What was Kahu Wendell's favorite TV show?
Addicted to CNN News and Korean Dramas
What did Kahu's fear?
Acrophobia - He had a fear of heights.
What special gifts did Kahu have?
Kahu was Trained in the Hawaiian Mystic arts and had 7 of the 9 Mystic powers and abilities. He always wore a traditional Kukui nut lei when working and had a favorite among his many lei.
What was Kahu Wendell's favorite Drink?
Chillata - a bloody mary mixed with beer
Kin Wah Chinese restaurant in Kaneohe
Fun fact about Kahu Wendell:
Kahu loved to collect antique Chinese "objects d'art as he used to say) and jewelry. He learned how to create Shell jewelry and other Hawaiian crafts.
What was Kahu Wendell's favorite Music / Song?
Traditional Hawaiian Music (Paokalani was is favorite.) And the opera.
What was Kahu Wendell's favorite Color?
The colors of Pele, red, black and white (in that order!)
What was Kahu Wendell's favorite Food or Dish?
What was Kahu Wendell's favorite way to exercise?
Hiking was a favorite with Sharon (and chasing the boys) when they were young.
What cause was important to Kahu Wendell?
The perpetuation of Hawaiian culture and his Aloha O Kalani Ministry.

Support Kahu's Legacy

In honor of Kahu, we invite you to support his legacy as we work to preserve and perpetuate his ‘ike (knowledge). Your generous contribution to Ke Aloha O Kalani Ministry will serve as a meaningful tribute.
Together, we will continue his legacy of compassion, kindness and reverence for Hawaiian culture, spirituality, pono living and aloha.

You may contribute online here OR you mail a check payable to Ke Aloha O Kalani Ministry and mail it to Po Box ____________, Kaneohe HI 96744
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