Donald Wah Chin Chai

Donald Wah Chin Chai, 83 of Kahului, Hawaii peacefully passed away onWednesday, November 11, 2020 at Maui Memorial Medical Center. He wasborn in Honolulu, Hawaii on November 9, 1937 to the late Gilbert andElizabeth Chai.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carole Chai; son, Jason Chai (Dolly Hinau);daughter, Lori Chai Fernandez (Jamie Fernandez); son Derrick Chai (MichelleReyes-Chai); Grandchildren Kylyn Fernandez, Javan Fernandez, TaytumChai, and Caleb Chai; Brothers Norman Chai (Elizabeth) and Richard Chai(Beverly Jean); Brothers-in-law James Richardson (Mija); Glenn Richardson(Pauline); Jeffrey Richardson (Loretta); Sisters-in-law Aileen Morita and KarenKealoha and Lillian Ines; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, andfriends. He was pre-deceased by sister Laura McKeague (Robert); brotherMerton Chai; father-in-law Chester Richardson; mother-in-law DorothyRichardson; brothers-in-law Greg Morita and Peter Kealoha.

Donald graduated from Saint Louis College in 1955. His graduating class wasthe last class to graduate from Saint Louis College before the schoolchanged its name to Saint Louis High School He played varsity basketball inhigh school. Then he joined the Air Force for four years where, in addition tohis duties, he also played volleyball for the Air Force volleyball team.

In 1959, after leaving the Air Force, Donald married Carole Richardson, whowas born and raised on Oahu and attended Farrington High School. OnAugust 29, 2020, they celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. Togetherthey had 3 children: Jason, Lori, and Derrick. Starting in 1996, he had his firstgrand-child, Kylyn, whom he was the excellent baby-sitter for her. He thenhad 3 more grand-children Javan, Taytum, and Caleb in the years to follow.Donald would always say how BLESSED he and Carole were because of hisloving family.

Donald and Carole lived on Oahu together after marrying from 1959 to 1970.He was employed by Hawaiian Electric Company as a draftsman in 1960. Heand Carole were living at their home that they built in Kaneohe Oahu beforeDonald decided to apply for a job at Maui Electric. He was chosen for theposition of customer engineering supervisor at Maui Electric in 1970. Donaldworked at the two utility companies for a total of 33 years before he retiredin 1993 at the age of 55. Throughout his many years, he served on the boardsfor the association of the Maui parents of Kamehameha Schools Kapalamaand for the parents of Christ the King School. He was a long-time member ofChrist the King parish. He was an excellent ukulele player starting from histeen-age years learning from his brother Richard and friends from the park.He loved playing the ukulele and listening to Hawaiian music.

He enjoyed his retirement years. He travelled to their second home inKaneohe Oahu quite often. He loved to work outdoors in his yard. Heenjoyed golfing with his friends and meeting with his former classmates at theSaint Louis Alumni clubhouse or at places to have lunch. He and Caroleenjoyed travelling together to celebrate their birthdays and anniversaries.They often went to Las Vegas to celebrate. Sometimes the whole familywould go also and have lots of food and fun.

Donald had many wonderful doctors and nurses over the years. He receivedexcellent care from Kaiser Maui Lani and the Maui Veterans Clinic. Thefamily would especially like to thank the doctors and nurses and staff thatcared for him in his final days starting on October 27,2020 while at MauiMemorial Medical Center. There were so many doctors and nurses thathelped him and our family during that time in the hospital. For his final day,we would especially like to give our heart-felt and sincere aloha and mahalonui loa to Nurse Ray and Dr. Chung ; all the nurses and staff at HaleakalaSouth; and Ashley and Jenn and Arvee and the staff at Hospice Maui Hale.

Services are to be held at Norman’s Mortuary with burial to follow atMaui Veteran’s Cemetery. Please contact the familyfor further information.

Arrangements completed by Norman's Mortuary.