Herbert Kahookele

Herbert Keawehaku Kahookele, 73, of 1222 N. Saunders, Hastings, Nebraska, died Tuesday, February 17, 2004, at his home.

Memorial service will be Friday, February 20, 2004; 10:00 A.M. at Grace United Methodist Church with Rev. Jim Miller officiating. Private family interment at Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska.

Mr. Kahookele was born October 5, 1930 in Nahiku, Maui, Hawaii, the son of Mary (Adams) Kahookele and David Kanaloa Kahookele. After graduating from Hana High School in 1948, he enlisted in the United States Army. He served in Korea as a ranger with the 5th Regimental Combat Unit and was a member of Task Force Smith and was decorated for his valor in combat. He was an all-army middle weight champion and light-heavy inter-service boxing champion from 1948-1949. He served in the Hawaiian Armed Service Police as an investigator and traffic control officer in which he learned Judo and Aikido and was assigned to a special unit that traveled through the United States. Mr. Kahookele was discharged in 1952 and returned to Maui. On July 10, 1954, he married Dolores Schwenker in Nahiku. In 1956, he earned an associate degree from Mauna Olu Junior College and moved to Hastings where he attended Hastings College. He was a member of the football team and a patrol officer for the Hastings Police Department. After graduating from Hastings College with a bachelor's degree in business administration and minors in Spanish and economics in 1960, he returned to Maui where he managed the Maui Palms Hotel. In 1966, he returned to settle in Hastings and worked as a patrol officer form 1966-1968 and Parks Commissioner of Hastings from 1968 to 1970. He joined Central Community College in 1970 as coordinator of student life and was fondly known to all as 'Kele'. He was also a volleyball and golf coach, athletic director, and associate dean before retiring in 1992. Mr. Kahookele was a member and leader in many organizations in Hastings and Maui including Kiwanis, Big Brothers, Elks, American Legion, Central Nebraska Senior Golf Association, Jaycees, Boy Scouts, Maui Visitors Bureau and numerous others.

Mr. Kahookele was preceded in death by his parents and eight brothers and sisters.

Survivors include,
Wife: Dolores Kahookele - Hastings, NE
Daughters & Sons-in-law: Lynn & Jim Melena - Lakewood, CO
Gail Kahookele - Littleton, CO
Lisa Kahookele & Dan Kivlahan - Boone IA
Grandsons: Mike & James Melena - Lakewood, CO
Thomas & Edward Kivlahan - Boone, IA
Brothers: James Kahookele - Nahiku, Maui, Hawaii
William Kahookele - Wichita Falls, TX

Many Nieces, Nephews and Cousins.

Memorial may be given to Elks Building Fund, CCC Foundation or the Grace United Methodist Church Life Center