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Michael M. Kliks

1942 - 2023

Michael M. Kliks obituary, 1942-2023, Honolulu, HI

Michael Kliks Obituary

MICHAEL M. KLIKS "I have more than a million bees at my house, sometimes I sit down by my colonies with a glass of wine and watch little golden flickers of light come in and out, and I can't help but marvel at them." ~ Michael Kliks Michael McKinnon Kliks was born on September 26, 1942, in Portland, Oregon to Bernard Brill Kliks and Margaret Ross Kliks. Michael died peacefully in his sleep on May 19, 2023, in Honolulu, Hawaii at the age of 80. He is survived by daughter Malissa "Coco"; stepdaughter Steffanie, and his wife of 30 years, Dolores Brockman. Michael completed his undergraduate studies at Portland State University followed by a M.S at Tulane University and PhD in Parasitology at UC Berkeley. He was also the recipient of multiple Fulbright Scholarships: India (1983-84); Africa (1989-90); Kazakhstan (1994-95). Michael published 17 research articles ranging from the molecular makeup of various honeys to the diagnosis and treatment of tropical parasitic infections. This research took him all over the globe including but not limited to Burkina Faso, Nigeria, India, Kazakhstan, and Thailand. He spent over 3 years in Chiang Mai, Thailand where he met his first wife, Srisakul "Susie" and brought their daughter "Coco" into the world. After 12 years of international travel to conflict zones as a researcher and war photographer, it was time to settle down with Dolores in Hawaii on the Northern slopes of Manoa Valley. For the next 40+ years of his life he returned to the love of beekeeping from his youth on the Oregon Coast and founded Manoa Honey Company. He performed swarm rescue services and tended apiaries all over Oahu. When he wasn't in a Bee Suit, he was in a swimsuit at Point Panic body surfing with other Hawaiian masters. Beekeeping ably served as Michael's template for his border environmental activism including combating invasive species and pathogens that threaten Bees and our entire ecosystem. He was a lifelong member of the Sierra club as well as the Hawaii Beekeepers Association. His myriad of experiences and accomplishments and legacy are summed up well with a quote from a feature article in August of 1999, in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. "I like to be connected to things". A Celebration of his Life will be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Ko'olau Ballrooms/Conference Center, Kaneohe. In lieu of flowers, his family requests a charitable donation to one of the following: ACLU: Hawaii; Earth Justice: Mid-Pacific Office; Hawaii Beekeepers Association; Sierra Club of Hawaii; Southern Poverty Law Center

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Star-Advertiser on Jun. 11, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Kliks

Not sure what to say?





Dale Sarver

December 18, 2024

Michael was a valued friend for many years.

Judith Pont

October 6, 2024

Aloha Michael, I remember you, Malissa, and orange "Thingy," and it wouldn´t surprise me if you still had that beach buggy, circa 1980! Yes, you were a character and a devoted father and adventure driven! Our paths crossed again in India, and you set me up for an incredible day with a talented aryuvedic villager who was able to remove Guinea worms from limbs, without tearing the long worm! Honey bees! Astutely tuned into excellence, whether honey bees, research, cooking for friends from the dumpster dive, hiking ridges or photography. Blessings, Hmm, wonder what you are up to now? Condolences to Delores, Susie, Coco and extended family. Takes me back to a time long ago, remembering you, pausing and remembering.

Dale Sarver

September 26, 2023

Michael taught me a lot about Thai cooking. I had Green Curry Seafood last night and I remember he said I should always add small green tomatoes, which I did and it was great.

Eberhard Kintscher

August 16, 2023

Aloha Michael,

he was a very good man. I bought his Manoa Honey for many years and developed a personal relationship with him. He invited me to his home and we ate wild boar stew... it was truly amazing.
I really enjoyed his wit and passion for life... all the things he did and accomplished in his life... my deepest respect to him.
RIP Michael

Chef Hardy of Michel`s Restaurant

Dale Sarver

August 4, 2023

Michael is an old and very dear friend. I knew him and his family when we lived next door to each other up in Manoa Valley on Oahu. I was a graduate student at UH then. I had an office at the Point Panic Marine lab and we spent many hour surfing together at Point Panic and other Oahu spots.
We did a lot of hiking and exploring adventures together and shared our love of photography. We both had a fascination of mushrooms and grew them under our houses. He had an intense love of honey bees which spurned an interest in me later.
My involvement in Marine Biology matured into a fascination with Aquaculture and Michael helped me develop my research in Hawaii and organizing my PhD thesis. This led to my entry into commercial aquaculture farming in Hawaii, Greece, and dozens of other countries. He also introduced me to Anne Outwater who became my wife who moved with me to many of these crazy places and built our house together in Kona. Michael and I kept up correspondence throughout the time from the late 1970's to 1990 when I returned to Hawaii from Tanzania to live on the Big Island. He sent me back copies of all the letters I sent him during my years overseas. He came to Kona to stay with me when I was developing my farm and we stayed in touch until he passed.
He will stay in my heart forever.

Peter Hoskins

July 21, 2023

I grew up just a couple of blocks away from Mike in NE Portland Oregon. We experienced elementary and high school together and all the fun and trouble we got into along the way. I was informed of Mike's passing by a very good friend of ours, Tom Repp, and I was more than saddened. When someone your own age and with such a close background suddenly dies, you are painfully awakened to your mortality. I have not seen Mike in many years, but it seems like not too long ago we were running on the beach or wrestling in his backyard. Too soon Mike.
Peter Hoskins

Carla Christensen

July 8, 2023

A legend moves on. Very sorry to hear of Michael's passing as are many in the worldwide bodysurfing community. We oldsters in the Santa Cruz Bodysurfing Association always welcomed his visits and hearing the updates on his adventures. A singular individual who will be missed.

Bob Priske

July 7, 2023

Michael was always active and a great teacher. He was good at getting things done and lived life with a passion. He taught many of us Thai cooking, body-surfing, hiking in Manoa Valley, and about bees, fine wines and exotic tropical fruit trees. He was a friendly wealth of worldly information and will be missed!

Tom Repp - Lincoln City, Oregon

June 24, 2023

Mike and I virtually grew up with each other through Grade School, Boy Scouts and One year of High School. It seems like that was just yesterday. I'm going to miss Mike. He talked to me about coming out to Oregon to do some Steal Head Fishing with me. Unfortunately, that never happened. To Mikes wife and extended family, please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. RIP Mike. My thoughts and Prayers will always be with you.

Karen Samuels Hopson

June 14, 2023

Michael and I were classmates at Beaverton HS and later met accidentally in Munich,Germany where we toured around briefly. Mike was a great guy and had such a good sense of humor; when I was around him, I laughed a lot. Michael, RIP my friend

Dolores

June 11, 2023

Paké and Julie

May 28, 2023

Our old friend of many years, Michael, student, teacher, story teller, herder of bees, world traveler and "jack of many trades" apparently has moved on to another adventure. We spoke to each other many months ago and there were no hints of any obstacles in life. Julie and I will miss his creative views of the world and of life in general. We believe he led a varied and good life and we wish for those who knew Michael : HAVE A GOOD LIFE, ALOHA AND MAHALO, Paké and Julie

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results

Memorial Events
for Michael Kliks

Sep

26

Celebration of Life

11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Ko'olau Ballrooms/Conference Center

Kaneohe, HI

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