Lawrence Laumauna Chang Sr.

Lawrence Laumauna Chang Sr., 88, of Kahakuloa, Maui passed away on March 16, 2026 in Wailuku surrounded by his family. Known affectionately as “Ah Ding” by some, he battled cancer for more than 30 years and felt lucky that the latest therapies gave him time to live. Born on May 3, 1937, he was the fifth child of Harriet Kulamanu Laumauna of Waialua, Molokai and Edward Ying Chang Sr. of Makena, Maui. Throughout his life, he was known and respected as a hard worker. He was born in Kula and raised in Makena and Kahakuloa. As a child and teenager, he helped his father with raising pigs and driving Army surplus armored command vehicles hauling feed and hauling water. Lawrence was educated at Ulupalakua School, Kahakuloa School, and Baldwin High School. When asked if he was the oldest kupuna from Kahakuloa nowadays, he thought so because he had been the only eighth grade graduate from Kahakuloa School that year. They celebrated with a luau!

Lawrence became an electrician with the Piltz family on Maui and then worked for Wasa Electrical Services in Mapunapuna, Oahu for 42 years before retiring as Vice President of Operations. On job sites, those unfamiliar with him looked for Chang but did not expect to see a Hawaiian with mutton chop sideburns! He also served under the National Guard for nine years.

Lawrence and his wife Natalie Natsumi Kaohulani Hasegawa of Hoolehua, Molokai were married in 1963 at Kaumakapili Church in Honolulu and their wedding reception was held in Kahakuloa. They raised their three children in Aiea, Oahu. Together they worked steadily to provide for and take care of their family. Natalie, the fourth child of Helen Leilani Paaluhi of Kainalu, Molokai and Hisashi Hasegawa of Lahaina, Maui, was raised on Hawaiian home lands, educated at Kilohana School on Molokai, and graduated from The Kamehameha Schools on Oahu. She gardened extensively, wrote, and painted scenes of her life. She retired after working part-time as a cafeteria helper for the State of Hawaii. Natalie passed away in 2018.

During his retirement years, Lawrence became a rancher and a comfortable home was built for their family in Kahakuloa. He enjoyed working with his cattle and hogs, and operating, maintaining, and fixing heavy equipment and farm equipment. In his final years, he kept busy by making Hawaiian chili pepper salt, harvesting and hauling kiawe logs from Makena to Kahakuloa for fence posts, and planting kamani trees on the top flat. He was an amazing cook, loved to make imu pig and paina, and enjoyed desserts. He was very fortunate to have family and friends who generously gave their time and expertise and shared resources to help him complete jobs on the farm!

Lawrence’s older brother, Edward Ying Chang Jr., passed away a little more than two weeks before him. Their surviving sisters are Helaine Chock, Norma Lei Noland, and Luella Crutcher.

Lawrence and Natalie’s children are Valerie Mahealani Chang, Lawrence Laumauna Chang Jr. (Carlita), Christopher Paaluhi Hasegawa Chang (Robin), and their goddaughter is Shawne Keliikauwila Schmidt Oliveros (Mark). Their grandchildren are Mikaela Kewelina Chang Flores (Hector), Kiana Leilani Chang Dominguez (Carlos), Dillon Laumauna Chang (Cassandra), Kody Kupono Chang, Kaitlin Tsuruko Keahi Iaea Arita-Chang (Dan), and Kevin Masato Inamasu (Tina). Their great-grandchild is Luka Kumakani Chang Flores. Surviving Hasegawa family members include Luella Lemn, Ruby Lowe, Nina Schmidt (Melvin), Sue Ann Hasegawa, and Eda Kaneakua (Walter). Many cousins, nieces, and nephews remain.

On Saturday, May 2, 2026, family, colleagues, and friends are invited to Kaukini Farm, 5925 Kahekili Highway (near 12.5 mile marker) in Kahakuloa. Enter on the mauka side of the road, near the Honey Stand. Dress comfortably and bring what you may need to be outdoors. Begin arriving around 10:30 am to relax, reminisce, and have something to eat. Take your time, drive carefully on your side of the road, and obey traffic signs along the way. We’ll look for you throughout the day.