William Kaina Obituary

WILLIAM KAINA Kahu William Hi'iakaikapoliopele Kaina, a beloved spiritual leader and pillar of the Hawaiian community, peacefully transitioned on Father's Day, June 16, 2024, surrounded by his cherished family in Honolulu. He dedicated his life to serving others and nurturing the aloha spirit. William was born on November 27, 1932 in Ho'okena, Hawaii, and was raised in his father's birthplace in Kalapana. He descended from British Lord George Anson Byron and a Hawaiian Hilo Chiefess, Kaoiwikapuokalani, daughter of Kalaniopu'u. William completed primary school in a two-room schoolhouse in Kalapana, middle school at Hilo Intermediate, and high school at the Kamehameha School for Boys, graduating in 1951. He attended Yankton College and School of Theology in Yankton, South Dakota, graduating with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Theology degrees in 1956. He served as student pastor at a church in Beemer, Nebraska from 1954-1956. William was ordained into the Christian ministry by the Maui Tri-Isle Association of Congregational Churches in Hana, Maui. He then served at the East Maui Congregational Churches from 1956-1960, including Wananalua, Keanae, Nahiku, and Kaupo Congregational churches. In 1960, Kahu Kaina chose to attend the Oberlin Graduate School of Theology in Oberlin, Ohio where he served the Sullivan Congregational Church. He completed his graduate studies in theology in 1963 when he was honored with "an outstanding Pastor" award and received a Master of Divinity degree. In 1963, Kahu Kaina was called back to Hawaii where he served the Lihue Union Church on Kauai from 1963-1969, and then the Moanalua Community Church in Honolulu. In 1971-1980, he served as Papa Makua, coordinator of 40+ Hawaiian Congregational Christian Churches statewide and the Hawaii Conference of the United Church of Christ. From 1980 to 1984, Kahu Kaina served as pastor of Kaumakapili Congregational Christian Church in Palama-Kalihi. Then in 1984, he became the ninth pastor to serve at Kawaiahao Church in Honolulu until he retired in 1997. Even after his retirement, Kahu Kaina served as pastor at the Waianae Protestant Church in 2003-2004. In additional to his ministry, Kahu Kaina manifested his love of the Hawaiian people, culture, language, and music by participating in the Hawaiian Hymnal Committee resulting in the publication of Na Himeni Haipule in 1972-1974 and Na Himeni O Ka Ekalesia from 1999 to 2001. Kahu Kaina continued to contribute to the community at large as a member of over 15 local organizations, including the Bishop Museum Board of Directors, the West Honolulu Rotary Club (David Malo award recipient in 2005), the Liliuokalani Children's Center, various scholarship committees, the Governor's Committee on Economic Development, and Partners in Development. The family wishes to express sincere appreciation and aloha to every one of the incredible caregivers at Kaiser Moanalua and Bristol Hospice for the loving care they provided to William and his family. Kahu Kaina is survived by his loving wife, Sandra, and four children, Debra (Clifford) Koanui, Joan (Tim) Salazar, Sandra (Bruce) Sagawinit, and Allen Kilolani Kaina. He is preceded in death by his son, William Keahilani Kaina, who passed in 1967. Kahu also leaves behind 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held in Kahu's honor on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024 at Kawaiaha'o Church. Public visitation 10:00 am. Service at 11:00 am. Parking & metered parking is limited. Service will be live streamed @KawaiahaoChurchTV on YouTube. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Partners in Development, Hawaiian Bible Project. Arrangements Provided By: Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary