Mercer "Chubby" Kuuhoapili Vicens' Obituary
With much aloha we say a hui hou to Mercer “Chubby” Kuuhoapili Vicens who passed on March 26, 2026.
Born on February 10, 1936, in
Honolulu, Chubby was the son of Maryann Kalunakanawai Ke-a and Ralph Vicens, Sr. (deceased).
He is survived by his wife Dorene,
his children: Darlene Naneaokalani Ane, Cory Lynn Mahealani Vicens,
Danielle Lehuanani (Galen) Kitamura, and Craig James Kuuhoapili (Todd Oliver), six grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and his brother Ralph Vicens, Jr. (Ekiko), 10 nieces and nephews, and many cousins.
He graduated from St. Louis College, Honolulu, in 1954 and attended
Purdue University, Indiana. Chubby
held senior executive leadership positions on Oahu and Maui, starting with
HC&D (Ameron) – Oahu, Matson Navigation Company, Inc. Terminals — Oahu and Maui, and as VP for Alexander & Baldwin Properties, Inc., he retired as VP and continued consulting until the age of 80.
He was known as ”coach” to many and for building strong relationships and working collaboratively in his communities. His unwavering commitment and service to the Maui community was acknowledged on multiple occasions;
awardee of the “Humanitarian of the Year for Maui County by the Maui
Chamber of Commerce; recipient of the “T.S. Shinn” award, voted a “Top 10 Mauians” for leadership, and recently a Koi awardee from the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce as one of their founding presidents.
He chaired Big Brothers Big Sisters, Maui, and is remembered today by the
Mercer “Chubby” Vicens Mentoring Center for his fundraising for youth; at the Maui Food Bank, for securing their first refrigerated van; and serving many years on the Maui Economic Board (MEO) as a Board member, as chairman,
and finally as an honorary emeritus.
He considered his greatest achievements to be “raising his family with Dorene and now watching their mo’opunas (grands/greats) grow up.”
He showed us how to live and love life. How to be a great husband, dad, son, brother, grandson, nephew, uncle, and friend. He will be deeply missed.
A celebration of Chubby’s life will be held at Nakamura Mortuary, on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Visitation and remembrance at 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
What’s your fondest memory of Mercer?
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