David Coon Obituary

I am a better person for having taught at Iolani School under the leadership of Reverend Coon. He was a champion of the best of the old ways while ushering in new ways that helped Iolani become the magnificent institution it is today. Tough, blunt, wise and deeply caring, he was everything one would want in a headmaster of a prestigious place of learning.

Stephen W. Lane

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With the end of America's conflict in SE Asia in 1975, a wave of new immigrants and refugees landed on our shores- Vietnamese Laotian and Khmer families often with their children and little but their spiritual suitcases for solace. For secondary school age children, Hawaii's public schools were not always especially welcoming. In addition to the cultural challenges, the absence of English conversational fluency frequently consigned otherwise bright and industrious young men and women to non college track general studies. The late Rev David Coon , Headmaster at Iolani School was the first to open his doors to the new Americans. He was followed shortly by St. Andrews Priory under the leadership of Father David Kennedy. Satia was the first Cambodian refugee student to be admitted to Iolani who later matriculated to Philips Academy at Andover and acceptances at Harvard and Stanford. Jocelyn from Vietnam went on to Smith College and as Vice President of Morgan Stanley in NYC and Mindy also from Vietnam is now a practicing physician and there are scores more. David Coon changed lives. He was the best in all of us and his labors will survive him for generations. Well done my friend. Rest in Aloha.

My condolences to the Coon family on the loss of a great American and visionary. He arrived at 'Iolani School during my Sophomore year and was, by far, the teacher that I most respected. He is responsible for setting 'Iolani on its search of excellence in education and community involvement. May he rest in peace. Wade Ishimoto ('Iolani Class of 1959)