Miss you my dear and precious brother!
Sending you lots of love to heaven and back!
Robert Palma

It is Thanksgiving Day 2024 and I’m preparing to send my “every holiday greeting” to my friend Kawika, I saw a last Christmas text that I missed in which he shared he had started hospice. I was shocked and so explored more. In learning that he passed in May, I was heartbroken. David and I had been friends for many decades - from the time we together wrote and performed the radio jingle, “Papakolea Peppers” for the CocaCola company. We collaborated on numerous commercial music projects and other media content. He was one of the most creative and warm-hearted humans one could have the privilege to know, and on this Thanksgiving Day, as on every day,  I am very thankful to have had the honor of sharing portion of life’s journey with my friend! I will miss you!

I never met David in person but we talked many times online and on the phone.  My first contact with him was when he saved my life!  By that I mean I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and he contacted me and INSISTED that I go to Loma Linda University for proton (45) treatments in 2015 which I did for nine weeks and I've been clean ever since.  We've been friends ever since and frequently spoke on the phone covering all sorts of topics. I'm forever grateful for meeting "Kawika".

I first met Kawika when our mutual friend and colleague Chaz Tang died. Kawika reached out for photos of Chaz from when we worked together and created a fantastic video presentation of photos and memories of Chaz which was shown at his memorial service. kawika was a great guy who will be missed. Condolences to the family.

Kawiks was the best mentor I could ever ask for. The kind who would take the time to be thorough and detailed but not coddling or afraid to share what he knew. We had lots of cases together and he is the single most person I learned from. He always made me laugh, such a great sense of humor and didn’t take himself so seriously or think he was better than he was. A man of great integrity and kindness, he gave tender guidance and  tough love  and if he knew someone’s character and genuinely liked them, he would  not hold something against them.  He was a stalwart and was fun to work with. He most certainly was, unequivocally,  the BEST PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR ON OAHU and a truly great man. I will miss him sorely. Mymost sincere condolences to  his family.

David in our band the “Ivory Bothers” 1975

I met Kawika through work.  Worked with him for at least a decade, and he grew into a good friend with whom I talked tech, AI, and about life.  We shared a lot of great meals and conversations together, or talked through our unusual cases in his office with Hachi resting his head on my foot, sleeping at our feet.  He was a Renaissance Man.  He had seemingly done everything.  I was glad to have my daughter be able to talk to him even for a bit and be exposed to him.  He was one of a kind, for sure.  

Kawika had tremendous Grace.  He was inspirational.  He dealt with pain most of us will never know--for decades-- and somehow transmuted that into laughter.  Even in pain he seemed to keenly feel the joy of the life he was given,  for which he fought so hard.  His doing that--opening up vs. shutting down, fighting onward-- was his courageous choice.  In my own darker moments, I remember his example.  

He will be sorely missed.  The hugs, the stories, the jokes, the smile.   What a Blessing he was.   

Deepest condolences to his family.    For all of us now flying along in *missing-Kawika formation*, I am glad he is in a peaceful place now, out of pain, still smiling on all of us.  His light remains, shining brightly.   I will miss you, my Brother!    
--Glenn

David & I worked together in music since 1973 in clubs, TV and film. We went through the worst & the best times together, shared disagreements without having arguments & kept our irreverent sense of humor intact until the end. Most people disappear when the goin gets tough or they don’t need you any more but David always stayed present & kept me informed and educated on what was going on which was the greatest gift of all. 
I’ll miss you buddy and I’m sure that when your “papers are checked” they “vill be possibly found in order”! 🙏🏽❤️Gary

David
Thank you for inviting fancy home meals many times. I will never forget your smile 😃 
Sachie

Everyone loved David.  He made us smile and laugh heartily.  I never heard him complain; about anything; not his pain, or his situation or his inability to keep on doing what he always did.   He gave the best hugs in the world.    Thank you for being such a sparkle of Joy, my friend.   May you be bathed in peace, serenity, and love for all eternity,
M & M

David Kawika Talisman

It is with our fondest aloha and mahalo that we bid farewell to David Kawika Talisman. Although born in New Jersey, he was a true son of Hawaii. His contributions included serving as a police officer with the Honolulu Police Department and as a private investigator. He was awarded the Top Cop Award from the State of Hawaii in 2016. He led a colorful and profound career and was blessed with talents which included being a writer for the television series, The Jeffersons, a writer for the Walt Disney Mickey Mouse Club, a journalist and a musician.

After working with the FBI to start the local InfraGard chapter, Kawika became one of the founding fathers of the Hawaii Chapter of InfraGard and was an active member until his passing on May 2, 2024. He played a major active part in the Internet Safety Awards program helping many schools in Hawaii participate. A program which was recognized by the FBI and many others tried to replicate.  Kawika was a graduate of the FBI’s Citizen’s Academy and participated in many events held by both organizations.

On the National level he was a member of the Awards Committee and Chairman of the Awards Committee and helped rewrite the Charter during that time.  In 2015, he received the InfraGard Linda Franklin National Achievement Memorial Award. He shared many times about his fond memories of his times with Director Comey.

His signature line gave his official positions in life.

Kawika was so much more than that. The man, the myth, the legend.

We will miss you brother.

He is survived by wife Kyoto and family. 

His colleagues, family and friends bid our warmest aloha to Kawika and his family.

InfraGard Hawaii Members Alliance

Kawika, 

You will forever be in my ohana's heart.  You were a dear dear friend and you'll be missed endlessly.   Thank you for all the stories, jokes, and laughs we shared!  Rest easy my loyal bruddah!  Your endless love for those around you and your infectious laugh will be greatly missed.

Justin and family

OBITUARY

David Michael Talisman

November 24, 1944 – May 2, 2024

Borthwick Mortuary

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