Albert Hin Kam

Albert Hin Kam, 95, was born on September 25, 1919 in Honolulu, Hawaii and entered into rest on May 17, 2015 in Encinitas, California. He is survived by his loving daughters, Joyel Ann Holt (Walter), Kaneohe, HI, Dolly Jean Creighton, Honolulu, HI, Victoria Lani Brown, Washington, Bianca Anela Macaluso, San Diego CA, Carolina Kaiulani Kam and Ilima Kam Martinez (Daniel) of Carlsbad, CA. He leaves behind 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Albert was preceded in death by sisters, Laurita “Lei” Howard, Hilda “Tita” Char, brother Edward “Bobby” Kam and parents, Fat Kam and Laurita Naeole Kam.

Albert was born and raised in Kalihi Palama area. He attended Na Alii Kindergarten School then to Kaiulani Elementary and Kalakaua Intermediate Schools. High school education was at St. Louis School where he maintained honor roll status until his graduation in 1938 and was recently honored as a 70-year alumnus at the St. Louis commencement celebration in May 2008.

Involvement and love of sports began from his adolescent years, when he frequented Palama Settlement in Palama, Oahu, Hawaii.

Albert’s proudest accomplishment was his employment at Pearl Harbor which began in 1939, where he contributed to the war efforts and became a major part of the 1941 historical events as one of the many significant workers needed to repair ships entering and leaving Pearl Harbor. In 1945, as part of the South Pacific Base Command fleet, he was assigned to service in New Caledonia, Fiji, Samoa, and eventually back to Pearl Harbor Baseyard, specifically Shop 31, until his retirement in 1975.

Upon retirement, he relocated to California where he resided and taught tennis to children as well as senior citizens.

Music, preferably Hawaiian, singing, as well as becoming proficient on the guitar which he self-taught the art of “ki hoalu” (slack key) were his cherished hobbies. He also played ukulele and banjo as other stringed instruments.

Tennis remained the sport dearest to his heart in which he earned “pro” status.

Curiosity and interest in his Hawaiian/Chinese heritage became an obsession with Albert during his past recent years. He enthusiastically read anything and everything he could get his hands on to acquire information on this topic. Whether it be the land, living conditions, music, art, habits and more, he relished in learning about each culture and never tired of gaining new knowledge every day.

Funeral services will be held on June 3, 2015 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 3821 Adams Street, Carlsbad, CA. Reception immediately following at 2939 Austin Terrace, Carlsbad. Committal service and burial to be on July 17, 2015 11:00 a.m. at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, 45-349 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744. Reception information to follow.