Sean Heely Obituary

SEAN KALANI YUK LUN HEELY Sean Kalani Yuk Lun Heely, age 59, passed away on November 4, 2025, at the Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawai'i, surrounded by family and friends. Sean was born on October 31, 1966, in Honolulu, Hawai'i, to Daniel and Patricia Heely. In 1970, the family moved to Minnesota so that his father could attend law school. They returned to Hawaii after 3 years and later moved back to Minnesota for another 2 years for his father's job. Throughout his youth, Sean enjoyed many exciting activities such as Minnesota camping, fishing, ice skating, snow-boarding as well as Kailua Father and Son Y-Indian Guides camping, crafting and parade-marching (Sean and his Dad were known as Little Owl and Big Owl--Pals Forever). Sean also played Kailua Little League baseball and Kalaheo Mustang football. Upon returning to Hawai'i for the second time, Sean attended St. Anthony's School in Kailua and then transferred to Kamehameha Schools where he ran track as a sprinter and played football primarily as a defensive back. He graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 1985, and continued his education at the University of Oregon where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. As a teenager and as a young adult Sean had always enjoyed working with and helping youngsters. He served several summers as a Junior Leader for the Summer Fun at Kailua District Park. He had many fond memories of those summers he spent helping children at Summer Fun. After college, Sean continued working with youngsters at the Juvenile Detention Home for 10 years. He then worked at Matson for the past 25 years. While at Matson, he held various positions including a Stevedore Superintendent, Assistant Manager of the Vehicle Processing Center, and Facilities and Maintenance Supervisor. Sean was also one of the main union organizers and helped with the first union contract when he and his coworkers became part of the ILWU Local 100. Most recently, Sean held the office of Secretary for his group. Sean had a keen love of sports, especially football, which led him to coach for many years at various places, including Kamehameha Schools, Castle High School, and Palama Settlement. Sean and his wife, Suzette, attended many college football games throughout the years and even went to the last Pac 12 Championship game in Las Vegas. Oregon lost, but it was still awesome to be in that stadium. Las Vegas was of course Sean's favorite place to vacation! Besides Las Vegas, Sean and Suzette traveled to the Mediterranean and visited Greece, Italy, Spain, Monaco, and Malta. As a family, with son, Ty, and daughter, Lauren, they traveled for sporting events to California, Texas, South Carolina, and Kansas City, Mo. Other family trips included Vancouver, London, Spain, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, and Disneyland! Sean also traveled to many of the ILWU conventions or meetings in Australia (twice), Vancouver, Portland, OR, and Long Beach, CA. Sean truly and proudly embodied the Aloha Spirit! He was very generous and kind, and had a gentle strength that reached out to everyone who knew him. Known for his warm heart and easy sense of humor, Sean had a rare gift for making others feel welcome and valued. He approached life with humility, compassion, and gratitude, leaving an everlasting impact on his family and friends. Sean is survived by his wife, Suzette; his children, Ty and Lauren; his mother-in-law, Abbie; his parents, Daniel and Patricia Heely; his sisters, Patty-Ann (Sandy) Heely, Dee-Ann Heely, Dr. Lee-Ann Heely, Adrianne (Leo) Heely Caires, and Erin (Jason) Jackson; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Kamehameha Schools Bishop Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m., followed by services from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sean will be deeply missed, but his spirit continues to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him. Arrangements Provided By: Aloha Mortuary