James "Kunz" Vernon Kunane Ka'auwai

James “Kunz” Vernon Kunane Kaʻauwai, 57, of Kapaa passed away at Wilcox Memorial Hospital on December 24, 2020. He was born in Lihue on November 25, 1963 and worked as a heavy equipment operator.

He is preceded in death by his granddaughter, Kayla Kaʻauwai; grandparents, Kaluna Ka‘auwai and Daisy Contrades Ka‘auwai; and mother-in-law Alice Oliveira.

Kunz is survived in life by his wife Kehaulani Kaʻauwai of Kapaʻa; mother, Annette Kuʻuipoaloha Kaʻauwai of Anahola; his eldest children shared with Elizabeth Hoʻoikaika: sons, James Kekoalauliʻi Hoʻoikaika of Anahola, Byron Keala Kaʻauwai-Hoʻoikaika of Honolulu; daughters, Jaimelyn Kaʻauwai-Hoʻoikaika of Anahola, and Seanne Kaʻauwai-Hoʻoikaika of Anahola; Hānai Son, Jonathan Mahoe Poe-Hoʻoikaika of Anahola. He is survived by his younger children shared with Kehaulani Ka‘auwai: sons, Landon Demello-Oliveira of Kapaʻa, Tyler Kaʻauwai of Anahola, Tryten Kaʻauwai of Kapaʻa; daughter, Shaylen Demello-Oliveira of Koloa. Kunz is survived by his brothers, Ross Teraoka of Kapa‘a and Arthur (Meagan) Rice of Kalaheo; sister, Laurinette Masako (Eric) Fujimoto of Hanama‘ulu; brother’s-in-law, Troy (Kaui) Oliveira of Waikoloa and Kaohu Oliveira of Hilo; father-in-law James (Mercy) Oliveira of Hilo; grandchildren, Bryden, Brysen, Branden, Bronsen, Lilinoe, and Kailee Ka'auwai, Leianaokekai Poe-Ho'oikaika, Kaleb Lemalu, Ayden Lopes, Kapua Yamamoto, and Ace-Lawai'a Ka'auwai; and numerous aunties, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

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