Libert Kawaiku Chan, Jr. was born in Honolulu, but in the Hawaiian tradition of Hanai, was raised on Molokai by Joseph and Hattie Kawai. Hanai means adoption in Hawaiian but it is informal and more an extension of love and the Hawaiian family, or Ohana. Childless at the time, my Dad became their Hanai son and they later had two natural daughters.
My Dad loved Molokai and carried the happiness he had from there everywhere he went. I think that was part of his longevity. If you know anything about life there you know it’s pretty uncomplicated. People live off the land, harvesting or catching much of their food. His home was a homestead property across the red dirt road from pineapple fields, and bordered on the back by cliffs and ocean. Life was good.
When he was 16 he decided to go to Honolulu for high school football. While that didn’t work out, he was drafted and went into the service at the end of WWII. And so his real adventure began.
My Dad spent 16 years in the service, first Army then Airforce. He was pretty good at sports and so was on a number of the traveling teams. He was friends with lots of the guys especially other island boys, and they spent their days off seeing the sights. One of those days he ran into Erika Dörrbaum, who became the love of his life. They were married for 54 years.
They built a wonderful life together. Dad was still in the service when they had me and some of our happiest years were spent in Sible Hedingham England, when he was stationed at Wethersfield AFB. Dad's Aloha shirts did not prepare him for the snow!
His second career was working for World Airways in Oakland, CA. The discipline and skills learned in the military prepared him for working with the charter airline which had lots of military contracts. Many ground employees, pilots and even the owner were ex-military. Dad saw other parts of the U.S. and the world while working for them. Those were 30 colorful years.
Learning about World Airways, owner Edward J. Daly, and the Saigon Operation Baby Lift makes for interesting reading if you have the time to look into it.
My parents home life was happy and they contented themselves with raising me, tending their fruit and vegetable garden, listening to Hawaiian music and continuing their traditions. They were thrilled when I married Paul and brought their Hanai Granddaughter Lori into the family. Several years later they were overjoyed again to be grandparents to Brandon and Ryan. And in January of this year he was so happy to be here to welcome his first Great Grandchild, Isla. Everyone who knew Dad knew his smile and nothing could put it on his face quicker than the sight of his kids and their families.
His last few years were physically challenging but greatly improved by his longtime caregiver Hector, who soon became best friend and family. Dad introduced Hector to his favorite sports, enough Hawaiian words to get him in trouble, and old time western movies.
Dad’s life was full and happy. We love you Dad. There will never be another kanaka like you. Aloha ‘Oe.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org and Molokai Land Trust at molokailandtrust.org.
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