James "Jim" Kauahikaua

He was known by many other names: “JimK”, “Dr. Jim”,“RockDoctor.” One colleague at HVO , (Hawaiian Volcano Observatory) somehow got away with calling him “Pootie Pie”.Only his maternal grandmother was allowed to call him “Jimmy.”He preferred to keep it simple - just the one syllable, “Jim.”

He loved the Hawaiian islands. During the 72 years of his life, Jim lived on two of them - O’ahu, and Hawaii Island, but he maintained a deep connection to the entire island chain. He was a stalwart steward of these volcanic lands.

Jim’s father was Hawaiian-Chinese, and his mother was of German descent. His persona was a rich blend of cultures.He co-created and named his daughter, Lilinoe, who is another beautifully blended human being.

Jim loved poke, dark beer, rice with gravy - anything with gravy,and single serve pints of coffee ice cream. He feasted on New England Lobstah, Dunkin Donuts coffee, and our weekend breakfast of homemadewaffles with real maple syrup.

Before chemo and radiation robbed him of his hearing, and his rich baritone voice, he loved singing and listening to music.Jim played piano and guitar. He loved a wide range of music, from Dave Brubeck to the Beach Boys, YoYo Ma, James Taylor, Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein, Glenn Gould and Emmy Lou Harris, Dougie Maclean, and the Manhattan Transfer, Harmony On Tap.

Jim was absolutely awed and proud of the music that his brother David Kauahikaua composed, arranged, and performed. Jim and Dave were an incredible pair, “the Brothers K.”He also had a great fondness for other notable brothers of Hawaiian music; Cazimero, Beamer, and Kamakawiwo’ole.

Jim was always happiest when he was outside, on an active lava flow, on a walk up to Boiling Pots, or in the rainforest.Jim even used to like mowing the lawn, and we blasted special music for yardwork days: Handel’s Messiah ( And we shall rake forever and ever!)

Jim had a Spock-like reverence for logic. But he was also one of the most tender, kind, and humble men who have ever walked the planet.

In his 40 plus years as a geophysicist, Jim contributed immensely to the understanding of how volcanoes work. And he was able to convey clear information to both his colleagues at national and international conferences, as well as the less scientifically oriented public. Even in a crisis, Jim could remain calm and clear-headed.This ability made him a trusted source of information from a grateful island community living on active volcanoes.He was respected and beloved by fellow scientists, family and friends.

When Jim was beset by illness, he endured, persevered through unimaginably harsh treatment and side effects of treatment.If you look in the dictionary under the word “ resilience”, you will see his picture.

He did not “lose his battle” to disease. We will have no war metaphors here.Jim simply lived how he knew how to live - leading with his amazing intelligence, with constant honesty, integrity, and as the giver of the world’s warmest smiles, and best hugs.

As his wife of 35 years, and the lucky recipient of many hundred thousands of those smiles and hugs, Jeri will forever miss the physical poetry of Jim’s presence, and will love him always.

Jim died at home, in Hilo, on October 8th, 2023.

Death ends lives, not relationships.All of us who love him so deeply will continue to do so, and keep his memory as a blessing throughout our lives.