Lee Donohue Obituary

LEE DIXON DONOHUE, SR. Age 80, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2023, surrounded by family. He was born in Honolulu on September 16, 1942. Lee graduated from McKinley High School and Chaminade University and worked for Oahu Plumbing before joining the Honolulu Police Department in 1964. Lee was the first and only Honolulu Police officer who served in every rank before being appointed as Honolulu's 8th Police Chief. He retired in 2004 after 40 years of service. Lee was a public servant and passionate about teaching the youth. He coached football for Hawaii Kai Dolphins, Kaiser High and Pearl City High. He is a 10th degree black belt with American Karate Kai and he co-founded Kick Start Karate, a non-profit organization. Lee founded the Honolulu Police Community Foundation to promote positive community relationships and to assist the Police Department with purchasing equipment such as AED, tasers and much more. After retirement, Lee served as City Council member in District 4, which covers Waikiki through East Honolulu. While serving as council member, Lee introduced the fireworks ban as a measure to assist first responders and to make our communities safer. Lee worked for Akal Security and later was the Director of Security for Securitas until this past March. He also owned and operated Magnum Investigations, LLC. Lee served on numerous boards such as HPRA, VASH, Kick Start Karate, Hawaii Kodansha, WEBCO, Chaminade Foundation, Honolulu Firefighters Foundation, Crime Stoppers, Judicial Council, Deputies, and the Honolulu Police Community Foundation to name a few. He loved to travel, play golf, fish, exercise, sing karaoke and spend time with his family and friends. Preceded in death by son Steven Donohue and one great-grandchild, Lee is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 63 years, Lucille Donohue; daughters Darlynn Donohue, Leanne Donohue-Williams, and son Lee (Karen) Donohue, Jr; 8 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 1, 2023, at Nuuanu Memorial Park in the East Chapel. Visitation: 9:00 a.m.; Services: 11:30 a.m.; Lunch to follow. Procession to the Main Honolulu Police Department for the Final Salute will depart at approximately 2:00 p.m. The scattering of ashes will be held at a later date.