KEALOHILANI "SAM" SAMUEL AHAI

Kealohilani Samuel "Longy" "Bully" "Papa with the White Hair" Ahai, 77, of Pearl City, Hawaii, passed away peacefully at home on March 30, 2023 surrounded by his family. 

He was the only son of Adam Kahaleloaokaukanaokamehameha Ahai, II and Irene Babette Ahai and older brother to Heather Babette.  As an infant the family lived in the area of what is now known as the Ilikai Hotel.

When he started school early at the age of 4, his dad used to lovingly refer to him as “The Fly in the Milk” since he was the only Hawaiian keiki amongst Military children at Navy Hale Keiki School.

The family lived in various areas on Oahu and even briefly lived on Maui, where his mother was originally from.  Spending countless schools breaks and Summers with their family on Maui as well.

Both he and his sister attended various elementary schools, including Ala Wai Elementary, a brand-new school along the brand-new Ala Wai Canal.  The family eventually settled in Kalihi where he attended Kalakaua Intermediate, graduating from Farrington High School in 1963.

He decided to join the Army right out of high school, eventually being stationed in Georgia.  After being discharged from the Army he briefly worked at Pearl Harbor Shipyard and then working with the United States Postal Service in 1968.  In fact, he and his new bride, Stephanie, actually welcomed their first child, Kaleo, on his very first day of work at the post office.  Over the years they eventually welcomed 3 more children, Adam, Renee, & Tesia-Irene.

His father was a founding member of the canoe club that originated as The Royal Order of Kamehameha.  The canoe club became a part of our family’s legacy which is now known as Kamehameha Canoe Club (Oahu).  Dad’s love of paddling began with his first race which was the Moloka’i Channel and it never really stopped.  Prior to his passing, Dad had been the longest-running head coach in our canoe club’s history, coaching for over 40 years. 

Sam has touched the lives of so many through his passionate work with the  Kamehameha Canoe Club.  In addition to coaching for the “regular season” which typically runs from March through August, he also coached high school students from Kaimuki, Farrington and most recently Pac-5.  He has helped shape many into the people that they are today with his hard work and determination and will always be remembered lovingly.  Please know, he loved you all as much as you loved him.

Sam and Stephanie spent many years growing together as a couple within the Marriage Encounter community. They also were active members of MBCC and church choirs at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. They instilled their faith in the whole family who also supported and participated with them in all their religious endeavors.

Sam was a very talented ukulele player but he also played a really mean banjo too.  As a singer, he had the most beautiful, deep bass voice. If you know then you know. He enjoyed kanikapila after race days, practices and let’s just say when the mood was right. It was always a joy for him to spend time with family and friends which always turned into the family singing and playing music.

With the passing of his beloved wife, Stephanie, in 2006, he revisited his love of painting which began back in his intermediate school days.  He shared the story of actually throwing away a sketch he thought wasn’t good enough to enter into an Art Competion at school.  Little did he know that his teacher saw him, pulled it out of the trash and entered it on his behalf winning him his first recognition as an award-winning artist.  After his retirement from the Post Office in 2009, he really began to pursue his renewed love of painting.  He was always very humble about his natural gift and abilities as an artist and was and was always willing to share his work.  He loved to talk story with anyone who was interested in any of his paintings. 

He was always looking to improve and evolve his art. He decided to take painting classes at the Waikiki Center and the Ala Wai Community Center.  It brought him joy when others complimented his artwork.   If you were lucky enough to sit next to him at a luau and he had a pen or pencil in hand, he often left behind a little work of art.  Most times complete strangers would ask if they could tear it out to take home. 

One of his most proud moments as an artist was his very first showing as a solo painter at the Unitarian Church in Nu’uanu where countless friends and family came by to show their love and support.  Some of them seeing his art for the first time.  Over the years he was encouraged to and entered other shows at at Honolulu Hale and Ho’omaluhia to name a few, eventually joining The Association of Hawaii Artists (AHA).

In his most recent years, he would head out early in the morning and go to Ala Moana Beach, where he would go walking in the water and talk story with his friends.  Over the years, he has made many, many new friends as well. He would show his art work, maybe even teach a little here and there. However, his favorite thing was just being out and about and spending that time with his friends.

He is survived by his daughters Teri “Kaleo” Ho (Hamilton), Renee Sosene (Lyndon) and Tesia-Irene Ahai (Brittani)

Daughter-in-law, Cindy Takazono-Ahai

Grandchildren Joshua, Zachary, Matthew (Krystina), Sheldon, Camron (Evelyn), Kanoe (Owen), Kekoa & Keali’i.

Greatgrandchildren Isabel, Shaydon, Vicenta, Shayna, Po’okela

Sister, Heather “Aunty Baba” Ahia (Sharon Snow)

Numerous Nieces and Nephews

He is predeceased by the love of his life, Stephanie, and only son, Adam, and parents Adam & Irene.

With his passing, the world lost a beautiful, loving, gentle soul.  The world is a little dimmer and the days will never be the same. Yet we are forever blessed because God chose you to be our Daddy.  We will miss you every day, but we will love you forever…

Services for Sam will take place on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Mililani Downtown Mortuary; 20 S. Kukui St.; Honolulu, HI 96813.  Visitation will begin at 5:30 pm, followed by Celebration of Life Services at 6:30 pm.  An Ocean Scattering, fitting of Sam's life, will take place on Sunday, May 21, 2023 at the Ala Wai Community Park (The Clubhouse); 2015 Kapiolani Blvd.; Honolulu, HI 96826.Opening Pule will begin at 8:30 am followed by the Canoe Launch at 8:45 am.  Lunch to follow at 11:00 am.