Taps: Lemuel (Lem) Nakuilauhulu Kawai Aweau
Posted on Oct 20, 2016 in Taps
Lemuel (Lem) Nakuilauhulu Kawai Aweau, 77, of Kaneohe passed away on September 21, 2016 with his wife, Arcenia (Anna) of 54 years by his side. Along with his wife Anna, Lem is survived by his two brothers, James Kawai, III and Vaughn Kawai; two sons, Nathan (Donna) Aweau and Lemuel Alaka’i (Tami) Aweau; three daughters, Leanna Aweau, Grace (Patrick) Torres and Judy (Norman) Valencia; 10 grandchildren, and 1 great-granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Kawai, Jr & Grace Tong Kawai; brothers, Beldon Kawai, Jonathan Kawai and Leighton Kawai; and sisters, Maydelle Torres, Charming McDonald and Blossom Atkins.
Lem is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools (’57) and the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he received his Bachelor’s in Education (Music) and Master’s in Education (Administration). Prior to completing his college education, Lem served in the U. S. Air Force and the Hawaii Air National Guard. Lem’s love for God, family and music was evident in his everyday life.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend who always put others first, before himself. As a gifted musician, he not only sang and played countless instruments, he also composed, conducted and taught music, as seen in his children, grandchildren and the many students that called him teacher from Kaiser and Farrington High School. Many would say that he taught “life” through the arts by using the gift of music to find the very best in a person.
Prior to retirement, his final years in education were spent as Vice Principal in schools such as Aiea, Campbell, Roosevelt High and McKinley Community School for Adults, but Lem never stopped doing what he loved most, playing music. He performed for numerous shows at the Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, Hilton Hawaiian Village and Kahala Hilton and served as music director at Kalihi Baptist Church. Music his gift, his love, his contribution to our community his legacy.
Services will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary (located at 45-425 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744); visitation from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.; service to begin at 10:30 a.m. burial to follow 1:00 p.m. at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery Committal Shelter. Arrangements Provided By: Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary
Lem served in the Consolidated Base Personnel Office (CBPO) until he graduated from college and started his teaching and music career.
His brother Vaughn served in the 154th Supply Squadron for several years before leaving to continue his college education in Kansas.
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