HARRY CHINN Obituary

HARRY J. CHINN Harry J. Chinn (9/25/1929 10/18/2023) was a remarkable local boy who left an indelible mark on Hawaii. Raised in Papakolea, Harry's journey began as a young man walking to McKinley High School. During wartime, he exhibited extraordinary resilience, shining shoes on Hotel Street to support his family and contributing to the war effort by briefly working at Pearl Harbor and enlisting in the Marine reserves. In 1952, Harry joined the Honolulu Police Department. Throughout this career, he exemplified dedication and integrity, retiring as a respected Lieutenant in 1980. His focus was always on helping Hawaii's communities and residents respect the law, maintain order, and live safely, making him a true guardian of the community and earning him an impressive array of accolades and honors. He was recognized as the City and County Employee of the Year and received the National Outstanding Policeman of the Year Honorable Mention. The Salvation Army honored him with the Others Award, celebrating his role as an outstanding Hawaii citizen. His achievements reached the highest levels of government, with mentions in the Congressional Record by the U.S. Congress in the early 1970s. Harry's creative spirit knew no bounds. He ventured into art and produced 12 captivating black velvet paintings, all achieved without formal training. As an untrained author, he penned 'Bicycle Safety Instructor's Manual,' which was recognized by the Boy Scouts of America, a 'Remedial Driving Instructor's Manual for the District Courts in 1973, and 'Mr. Traffic Light,' a booklet that educated youngsters about road safety. In the realm of theater, he wrote the script, music, and lyrics for 'Who's Guilty.' This play, which he directed in 1974 with the Waianae Coast youth, was sponsored by the Honolulu Model Cities Program, adapted into a TV production, and performed at the Model Cities Conference in Chicago, winning national recognition. After retiring from HPD, Harry tapped into his creativity while working for SERVCO Toyota. He designed motivational programs for the sales staff while adeptly handling internal affairs. His crowning achievement in this phase was 'WHY?', a musical play to educate students and their parents about the dangers of drugs and the drug culture. Initially sponsored by SERVCO the play received grants for continuing performances from Kamehameha Schools, the Castle Foundation, the Department of Education, and numerous local substance abuse non-profits. 'WHY?' was performed throughout the Hawaiian Islands and culminated in a memorable performance at the Blaisdell Concert Hall with the University of Hawaii Symphony. Harry received the George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge for 'WHY?'. Beyond his extraordinary professional and artistic achievements, Harry was a loving father and a friend to many. He leaves a legacy of love and camaraderie. He is survived by his devoted wife Joyce, sister Catherine, sons Hale (Diana) and Scott, daughter Ling-Su (James) and hanai son Nick Akana. His grandsons Gavin, Grant, and Nicolas, his great-grandchildren, and his nieces and nephews further enriched his family. Harry's casual Celebration of Life is to be held at Kalama Beach Club, 280 N. Kalaheo, Kailua on December 14, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please no flowers; donations to the Salvation Army will be welcomed.