Paul Brennan Obituary

PAUL WILLIAM BRENNAN Paul William Brennan, 84, of Kailua, Hawai'i, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 26, 2023. Born in Leipsic, OH, he spent most of his life in the Pacific islands. After getting his PhD (linguistics), in 1968 he began work among the Enga people of Papua New Guinea (PNG) for the Lutheran Church. In PNG he was lead translator of the Enga New Testament, founded the Enga Takyanda (Cultural Center) & later was advisor to Prime Minister (Sir Michael Somare). Paul's love of music first brought him to Hawai'i in a traveling college quartet, where he sang tenor. In 1981 he moved his family to Maunawili, Hawai'i. There, he worked at East West Center (researcher), Bishop Museum (archeologist) & the United Church of Christ (pastor on Moloka'i & O'ahu). He co-authored 'Kailua' & was a founding member & president of the Kailua Historical Society. For more than 25 years he marched as President Lincoln in Kailua's 4th of July parade. In retirement he shared his knowledge & vision to protect & preserve culturally & ecologically important places he loved in the watershed flowing into Kawainui marsh & near Queen Lili'uokalani's retreat. He encouraged younger generations to restore Hawaiian agricultural traditions in Maunawili. Paul's warm smile, outstanding communication & listening skills, open-mindedness, generous, humble & gentle spirit made him a friend to many. His Christian faith reached back to his ancestor's Amish & Mennonite roots, & evolved, allowing him to see that his way of connecting to the sacred was not the only meaningful way. His creativity & love of natural beauty shined through his woodwork, photography, flower arrangements, poems, sermons & affirming cards he made for loved ones. He was a meticulous documenter of oral histories, cultural traditions & his own life. An early riser, Paul embraced physical activity through basketball, running marathons & hiking. Paul had a resourceful eye for repurposing discarded things. He was a loving, patient & helpful father to his four sons & the many foster children that he & his beloved wife 'Dottie' (Dorothy Nesseth Brennan) cared for. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years & sons, Dr. Eric Brennan (Ana Sandoval) of Salinas, CA, Dr. Nathan Brennan (Christina Caldwell) of Sarasota, FL, Lars Brennan (Yanah Brennan) of Vancouver, WA, Jason Brennan (Dr. Julie Motosue-Brennan) of Elk Grove, CA, 16 grandchildren, a great-grandchild & by siblings Joanne Franklin (Carmel, Indiana) & David Brennan (Huber Heights, Ohio). A celebration of life will be at 4 PM October 7 at Kailua United Methodist Church with visitation at 3 PM. Arrangements Provided By: Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary