A memorial service was held on May 27. Donations can be made in Kenji Kawaguchi’s honor to Island Hospice and Maui Adult Day Care Centers.

The grassroots strength and integrity of the Lahaina community has been formed by many families and individuals. The dedication and humility of the Kukahikos, Tihadas, Rickards, Arakawas, Keahis, Watsons and many, many more shines most brightly in youth sports programs here on the West Side and all across Maui County.

The Kawaguchi ohana also stands tall among these selfless community contributors who helped form the foundation that prospers today. Sadly, Kenji Kawaguchi, the third oldest of the ten children born to Rikiichi and Shizuko Kawaguchi, passed peacefully away on April 2, 2022. He was 94 years old.

Kenji was born in Makawao, but the family soon moved to Lahaina, and he attended King Kamehameha III Elementary School and Lahainaluna High School. After graduating from Lahainaluna, he moved on to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he was a standout football player for the Rainbow Warriors. The 5’7″, 150-pound defensive back was honored as a selection to play in the 1951 Hula Bowl.

Upon coming home to Maui after graduating from UH with a degree in Recreation, Kawaguchi worked for several community organizations, including the West Maui Community Association, Catholic Youth Organization and County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation. For some 27 years, Kenji led the athletic programs as Maui County Organized Sports Coordinator, Lahaina District Supervisor, and then he was appointed by Mayor Hannibal Tavares as deputy director of Parks and Recreation, a position he held until his retirement in 1989.

He was well known as a leader in the sports community, particularly for the youth and high school programs. Kawaguchi also served as Maui Interscholastic League executive secretary, organized the Maui Officials Association, and also contributed as an official, referee, umpire and timer at all MIL events. He gave his positive energy to Pop Warner Football, Little League Baseball, PONY League Baseball and AJA Baseball. He was an avid golfer, softball and tennis player, and he enjoyed playing with and helping raise his grandchildren. He also enjoyed taking all of the family members on road trips to the West Coast states and beyond.

Kenji was preceded in passing by his wife, Mildred Yamada; parents Rikiichi and Shizuko Kawaguchi; brother Masaichi Kawaguchi; and sisters Miyoko Kubo, Yaeko Matsuda and Geraldine Matsui.

He is survived by daughters Liane (Val) Ogata and Susan (Wayne) Sakagawa; son Eric (Stacie) Kawaguchi; grandchildren Jodie (Jacy) Lau, Sean (Katrina) Ogata, Christopher and Nicholas Kawaguchi, and three great-grandchildren; brothers Robert (Sakae), Kenneth (Frances) and Alan (Geraldine) Kawaguchi; sisters Shizue Suzuki and Mildred (Paul) Yasuhara; and many nieces and nephews.

The Kawaguchi family extends its heartfelt gratitude to caregiver Faina Borje and her family, and also to Island Hospice for the enhanced care provided for Kenji.

The entire Lahaina community sends its sincere condolences and aloha to the Kawaguchi ohana. The dedication to the welfare of the people of Maui, and the humility lived by Kenji Kawaguchi, will carry on forever. (By Walter Chihara)