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
Hawaii’s first Kumu Hula seminars
Gallery
Videos
Memory Wall
Family tree
Favorites
Support Kahu's Legacy
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
