Harold Kahana Pukahi's Obituary
Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary and Valley of the Temples Memorial Park is saddened to announce the passing of Mr. Harold Kahana Pukahi.
Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Harold Kahana Pukahi, 85, passed away Saturday, June 2, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born in Kahuku, Hawaii on October 13, 1938 to Moewa’a and Mary Kamauoha Pukahi. He lived in Laie most of his life and had 10 brothers and sisters.
He graduated from Kahuku High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball and was active in Future Farmers of America. While in high school, he also enlisted in the Army National Guard and attended basic training. He later attended the Church College of Hawaii for two years and married Lorene S. Watanabe from Lihue, Kauai on September 16, 1961.
Harold served full-time in the Army National Guard and eventually became a recruiter before he retired in October 13, 1998 as a E-8 First Sergeant. After retiring from the Guard, he taught physical education classes at BYU-Hawaii, managed their campus intramurals, and refereed high school football, basketball, and volleyball.
Harold was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served in many callings throughout his life, including bishop, stake counselor, and temple sealer. He loved serving others, especially in the temple. He also sacrificed many hours with the young men of his community with scouting, helping countless of them become an eagle scout. In fact, both Harold and Lorene received the prestigious scouting award of Silver Beaver for their many years of devoted service.
He enjoyed being a husband and father but especially loved being a grandfather. How he loved to dote on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren! He loved spending time with his family and traveling to visit those who lived afar. His cooking/baking was his language of love. He enjoyed golfing, throwing net and spear fishing, gardening (loved talking to his plants), talking story with his many friends and extended family, and going holoholo with his sweetheart.
Harold is survived by his wife, Lorene, and their two children: Roger Pukahi (Jody) and Ron Pukahi (Annette), his 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren (almost 8), and his sisters, Thalia “Sheila” Alo (Falepule), Mavis Coleman (Bob), and Janice “Lani” Fitisemanu (Kalani). He was preceded in death by his father and mother, sister, Beatrice Mahelona (Joseph), brothers William “Nika” Pukahi (Clarice), Rueben Pukahi (LaVerne), sisters, Alberta “Kupihea” Graycochea (Domingo), Mary “Moe” Oberle (Frank), Maria “Haka” Kaio (Kealoha), Genevieve Pili (Falefau), and his beloved grandson, Joshua Pukahi.
Funeral services will be Thursday, July 11, 2024, at the Laie Hawaii North Stake Center, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, at 10:30 am. Public visitation (closed casket) will be from 9:00 to 10:30 am. Military honors will be conducted at Hawaii Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Kaneohe at 1:00 pm.
What’s your fondest memory of Harold?
What’s a lesson you learned from Harold?
Share a story where Harold's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Harold you’ll never forget.
How did Harold make you smile?
