Irene Maile Michiko Pauole Kaahanui
March 7, 1943 – May 13, 2025
Irene Maile Michiko Pauole Kaahanui, 82, passed away on May 13, 2025, at, Hoʻolehua, Hawaiʻi, surrounded by her ʻohana. She was a U.S. Army veteran, director for Maui Economic Opportunity on Molokaʻi, and retired as the Molokaʻi community outreach coordinator for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Helen Pauole; her sister Annette Pauole-Ahakuelo; and her stepdaughter Charmaine Davis.
She is survived by her husband Charles A. Kaahanui Jr; sons Kelly Pauole, Justin Kaahanui, Jonathan Kaahanui, Charles (Alice) Kaahanui III, Chad Kaahanui, and Shannon Kaahanui; daughter Sherry (Ronald) Sasada; sisters Roberta “Cookie” (Greg) Helm, Beverly Pauole (Dale) Moore, and Melinda Talon; brother Mickey (Nadine) Pauole; moʻopuna Kellysa-Michiko (Namaka), Brennan, Kaya, Charice, Bryson, Jarian, Braeden, Ikaika, Kaleikamaka, Yukiko, Sumiko, Brandon, Matthew, Jewel, Lahela, Alicia and Amber; 19 great-grandchildren; plenty of nieces and nephews; and her loving pet companion Shushu.
Irene was a strong advocate for her Molokaʻi community, focusing on public safety and the rights of veterans. She was a Hoʻolehua homesteader with a strong appreciation for Prince Jonah Kūhiō, a member of the Molokaʻi Veterans Caring for Veterans organization, and a member of ʻAhahui Kaʻahumanu.
Irene’s services will be held Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Hoʻo- lehua Congregational Church located at 2205 Lihipali Ave. in Hoʻolehua (behind Molokaʻi High School). Family viewing is 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. and public viewing is 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Service is 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. with luncheon to follow at the on-site church pavilion.
John Kamikakeahonui
Aug. 11, 1972 – May 20, 2025
At the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), our tightly knit communications team sat together, fostering spontaneous collaboration and high productivity which resulted in numerous advertising, design and journalism awards. John Matsuzaki was the heart and soul of that team.
John was always kind and helpful, often going above and beyond to help others, while being welcoming, funny and creative. People often called him ʻoluʻolu (amiable). He embodied the aloha spirit.
Even with all the prestigious awards and accolades, John was always very humble while quietly helping everyone behind the scenes. As a natural leader, people gravitated towards him and followed his lead. He was incredibly generous, often sharing his lunch and gifts like Hawaiian salt that trustees brought for him from the neighbor islands.
With so many great stories about John, it’s hard to choose one. Once a coworker came to ask for help. We replied, that’s not us, maybe Board Services can help you. But John said, “Brother tell us more about what you need, and we’ll see what we can do.”
It may sound cliche, but we are truly better for knowing John, a great friend, mentor and upstanding person. He was the ALOHA at OHA and will be missed tremendously.
Me ka haʻahaʻa,
Lisa Asato, Nelson Gaspar, Francine Murray and Treena Shapiro
After working at OHA for 12 years, John and his ʻohana relocated to California in 2017. He was a Kamehameha Schools Kapālama graduate and had a degree in graphic arts and print production from Honolulu Community College. John is survived by his wife Juli, sons Jonah, Jonas and Joss, and daughter Julia, his four siblings and a large, loving extended ʻohana.
