The University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu community is fondly remembering Shad Kane — respected kupuna, historian, and cultural practitioner — who passed away on Jan. 30. He was 80.
Known to many as “Uncle Shad,” Kane was a beloved member of the campus ‘ohana. He generously contributed his knowledge and time to various programs and projects at UH West O‘ahu, directly impacting its faculty, staff, and students.
“Since 2019, Uncle Shad was at the heart of our anthropology partnership with Kalaeloa Heritage Park to assist with their vital cultural restoration and preservation efforts,” said Dr. Christy Mello, Professor of Anthropology at UH West O‘ahu.
More than a partner, Kane was a mentor who led with a kind spirit and immense cultural knowledge, Mello said.
“I deeply admired his strength and the way he sparked excitement in everyone he met,” she said. “He will be deeply missed by our UH West O‘ahu ‘ohana.”
Kawena Komeiji, formerly the Hawaiian Pacific Resources Librarian at UH West O‘ahu’s James & Abigail Campbell Library, recalled Kane’s contributions to several UH West O‘ahu projects including the Welina Honouliuli Knowledge Well, The Big Read Hawai‘i: Mo‘o ‘Ōlelo (see YouTube video here), and Mo‘o ‘Ōlelo: Life Stories of Cultural Practitioners (see YouTube video here).
“I connected with Uncle Shad when I was looking for community feedback on the Welina Honouliuli Knowledge Well,” said Komeiji, who is now the Hawaiian Initiatives Librarian at UH Mānoa’s Hamilton Library. “Knowing that he was a historian and cultural practitioner in the ‘Ewa moku, I requested his help in reviewing the knowledge well and without hesitation, he came down to the campus to talk story with me.”
Komeiji continued, “This is the kind of person that Uncle Shad was — to him, it was so important to preserve the mo‘olelo of the ‘Ewa moku, especially in the face of rapid development, that he would do anything to help perpetuate those histories and stories.
“He truly was a momi (pearl) of ‘Ewa.”
Active, dedicated community member
Kane, of Kapolei, was born in Honolulu, but spent his early childhood years in the Pearl City Peninsula, Mānana, according to a description of his background in a previously published article.
He graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 1964 and went on to Utah State University for two years. Kane served in the Navy from 1966 to 1970, serving on the USS St. Paul and River Divisions on the Van Co Tay River. He then graduated from the University of Hawai‘i in 1972 and got a master’s degree from Central Michigan University in 1976. Kane served with the Honolulu Police Departent from 1970 and retired as a lieutenant in 2000.
He served in many community organizations including the O‘ahu Island Burial Council, the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board, Western Advisory Council to NOAA, and was a cultural writer for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and Go Kapolei Magazine. Kane also authored the book, “Cultural Kapolei.”
He served as a board member on Ka Papa O Kākuhihewa and the Kalaeloa Heritage and Legacy Foundation, a coalition member to the Kapolei High School E Ola Pono Ma Kapolei and Ali‘i ‘Ai Moku of the Kapuāiwa Chapter of the Royal Order of Kamehameha, and many other organizations. Kane was also the cousin of the late Rockne Freitas, former Chancellor of UH West O‘ahu.
‘He will be deeply missed’
Dr. Kirsten Vacca, Associate Professor of Anthropology at UH West O‘ahu, held her field school with UH West O‘ahu students at Kalaeloa Heritage Park (KHP) since spring 2021 for the anthropology and certificate for applied forensic anthropology programs. She recalled meeting Kane that summer.
“He was welcoming and generous with his time and knowledge, teaching our students about the history of the park and the larger ‘Ewa moku,” Vacca said. “He was a constant presence and I, along with my students, looked forward to talking with and learning from him every year.”
Vacca continued, “We are back working at the park this semester and we feel his absence deeply. I am forever grateful for all he did to welcome us into the KHP space, and contribute to the education and cultural awareness of our UH West O‘ahu students. He will be deeply missed.”
UH West O‘ahu alum Gabriel “Gabby” Navalta recalled first meeting Kane in 2023 during a visual anthropology class field trip to KHP, where Kane gave his class a tour.
“Right away, I could see how deeply he understood the cultural significance of the place and the work he was doing for the community,” Navalta said. “I didn’t fully realize how deep his love for learning was until after I graduated from UH West O‘ahu (spring 2023) and had the opportunity to work with him on a project called Mo‘o ‘Ōlelo: Life Stories of Cultural Practitioners, where I interviewed and filmed him for a mini documentary.
“Through that experience, I saw how much he valued learning throughout his life — whether it was studying history, researching the stories behind places and landmarks, or learning to speak Hawaiian as an adult,” said Navalta, who is now the Project Director of ‘Upena Moananuiākea at UH West O‘ahu.
Navalta added, “He shared that it was his responsibility to pass that knowledge on to younger generations so that ‘ike and cultural practices could continue to be passed down. Uncle Shad is someone I can say I look up to, and I hope to carry that same love for learning and commitment to sharing knowledge that he modeled for all of us.”
Services for Kane will be held on Wednesday, March 18, at Mililani Mortuary Mauka Chapel. To find out more about the services and to share memories of Kane, click here.