Ann Darlene Kawai

Ann Darlene Iwalani (Kahoonei) Kawai of Waimanalo passed away at her care home in Waipahu on November 5, 2024, at the age of 81years old. Between being a homemaker for her husband and six children, Ann worked a few jobs outside of the home. In the late 60s, she worked for Arakawas in Waipahu, and later worked for City Mill. After having her last two children in 1970 and ‘72, she once again focused on staying home to raise her babies. In those years, the early to mid 70s, she did help out a couple friends by filling in at Hana’s Kitchen in Kaʻaʻawa. In the mid 80s as her kids got older, she decided to go back to work and became a teacher’s aide at King Intermediate School in Kaneohe. She left the workforce in the early 90s to babysit her grandchildren full-time.

Ann was the youngest of five children born to Louis and Connie Kahoonei, and was the last surviving member. Ann’s husband, Beldon Chang Aweau Kawai Sr., passed away in 2005. She is survived by her six children, Jamie “Kim” Lum (Brian), Beldon Nicole Forsythe (Steven), Jonette Solomon (Willie), Melanie “Cissy” Kawai, Darren “Kala” Kawai (Carisa), and Kaʻala Kawai (Kelehua). She is also survived by fifteen grandchildren, Cody Kay, Kaʻaona Solomon, Daniel Lum, Zachary Kawai, Aulani Smith (Solomon), Mathew Lum, Noah Kawai, Auliʻi Solomon, Kaulana Solomon, Alyssa Lum, Faith Kawai, Haylee Kawai, Kahiau Kawai, Kulama Kawai, Kahilinaʻi Kawai; and seven great grandchildren, Sophia, Zeke, Lucas, Elio, Aceson, Duke, and Koni.

Her family is really going to miss her kindness, generosity and amazing sense of humor. Most of all they will miss her cooking, especially her beef stew, pot roast, banana bread and bread pudding!

A special note of appreciation to Rosa Ramos and the Ramos Ohana who cared for Ann during the last 20 months of her life and treated her like she was their own mom.

Aloha Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma, until we meet again. Thank you for giving us all the most wonderful love and life anyone could ever ask for. God bless us all!