James Kealoha Kanekoa's Obituary
James Kealoha Kanekoa crossed the veil on Aloha Friday, June 5, 2026.
He was born at Puunene Hospital near Kahului on January 9, 1948, to William Kealoha Kanekoa, Sr and Rachel Moiha Kanekoa.
He was the 2nd son out of a family of 4 boys. Over the years his mother often mentioned that he was only 6 lbs at birth but grew to be her largest child very quickly.
He attended Kahului Elementary School was active as a youth in the Boy Scouts of America program offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Later he attended Baldwin High School where he was a standout Football Player and was also involved in a Teen Music Band. The band often spent time on Weekend evenings at community dances at the Armory in Kahului.
James graduated from Baldwin High School in 1966 and enjoyed keeping up with his classmates via the internet in his later years.
He left hime in August 1966 to attend The Church College of Hawaii in Laie, Oahu, Hawaii, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in May of 1971.
It was here that he met his Lifelong Sweetheart, Shannon Lee. They met, courted and were married in the Laie Hawaii Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in August of 1970.
After graduation they moved to Honolulu, Oahu, where he worked for Richmond Moving and Storage. Their first child, a son, Maika was born there in 1972.
Then he was offered a job on Maui, managing the Wackenhut Security Service on the Islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai, using his degree. Their second son, Kaulana was born there in 1975.
One day he came home from work and announced to his wife and sons that he wanted to move to the mainland to have “An Adventure”!
And what an Adventure it was!
Three more sons were added to their family in 1977, Kaimana, 1980, Lokahi and 1982, Naki’iaweawe.
Here in Reno, Nevada, James tried his hand at Managing Restaurants for several years and then had the opportunity of moving into The Mining Industry, where he was trained in Louisiana. He became a Drilling Fluid Engineer.
This career served him well! He was his own Boss and worked the Minerals Division
(Gold & Silver), the Oil & Gas Division and the Geothermal Division, each for different companies…all over the Western United States!
What an exciting time traveling from State to State, often taking his wife and sons along to camp, hike and visit National Parks, enjoying the Beauties of the land as he worked on Drilling Rigs to compose their lubrications!
The highlight of his Career was working in Peru, South America, for 3 1/2 years, off and on, in a Gold Mine, 13,000 ft in Altitude!
He took his wife and Father-in-Law with him for two weeks on his last tour! He had trained his Peruvian Counterparts to do their job SO well that he had “worked himself out of a job”! So, he came back to Reno!!
During the years that he lived in Reno he had the opportunity to worship and serve as a Volunteer in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His favorite Callings were Sunday School Teacher for the Children and Youth of the congregation!
The little children Loved his Gigs as Santa Claus at the Christmas Parties!
He also enjoyed serving as an Ordinance Worker in the Reno, Nevada Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in his ‘slowing down’ years, while still living in Reno, for 43 years.
James retired from working in the Drilling Fluid Industry in December 2018 and moved home to Maui where they lived in Lahaina for the following 8 years of his life on earth.
He left this “Veil of Tears” on June 5, 2026, after a short illness and was welcomed Home into the arms of his Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.
He leaves behind his Eternal Companion Shannon, and his 5 sons, Maika, Kaulana (Hannah), Kaimana, Lokahi (Danielle), and Naki’iaweawe (Megan) and 7 wonderful Grandchildren, with 1 grandson proceeding him into the “Other Side”.
James’ Musical Celebration of Life will be held at 9:00 am on June 20th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 85 Ulupono St.
Lahaina, Maui, with a light Luncheon and Kanikapila to follow.
Interment of Ashes will be on June 21 on Family Aina in Kipahulu, Maui.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
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