• Michael Mons • Larry Olson Michael Mons On the evening of March 21, 2016 at 10:50 p.m. Michael Mons passed away at University California San Diego Medical Center at Hillcrest. He was surrounded by his loving family and amazing friends. After
• Michael Mons • Larry Olson
Michael Mons
On the evening of March 21, 2016 at 10:50 p.m. Michael Mons passed away at University California San Diego Medical Center at Hillcrest. He was surrounded by his loving family and amazing friends. After fighting to recover from a coma, and allowing many loved ones to spend precious time conveying their love and respect for him, he let go of the physical world and set forth on his journey to the spirit world. He was 36 years old.
Michael was born on Dec. 3, 1979 in Nevada City, California at 10:49 a.m. He was the second son to Charles and Marion.
Moving to Kauai at an early age shaped Michael’s view of the world and love of the ocean. Like his older brother Chris, Michael became a waterman, and together they challenged the sea in every form imaginable—surfing, diving, paddling, fishing, sailing, and windsurfing; their childhood was spent under the warm Hawaiian sun. As Michael grew older he found his place in the spot light through a love of acting and theater with Kauai Kids Children’s Theater, but
Michael was just beginning to stretch his legs. When he reached high school, he earned a scholarship to attend the Hawaii Preparatory Academy on the Big Island, where he became an extremely accomplished athlete in every sport he tried. Football and wrestling were his true loves…he was a like a warrior on a battle field and he couldn’t be bested. He was a ferocious competitor. But that wasn’t his true beauty. Michael used his unique breadth of excellence to learn so much about enjoying life, valuing relationships, education, and hard work to create his formula for success.
Michael started his professional career on the ocean, entering the United States Merchant Marine Academy in July of 2000. He pursued a Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Intermodal Transportation and received a license to sail as Third Officer on any ship of any size anywhere in the world, and that’s just what he did. Upon graduation he worked on various vessels and sailed the world’s remotest waters. He challenged himself both professionally and personally.
When he was not sailing on the high seas, Michael trekked the globe on foot, doing what he did best—building relationships. He valued his relationships with his friends and family more than anything else and always made sure to stop in for visits during his global adventures.
Michael had a way about him; it’s as though he felt the buried connection all mankind shares. He always looked for hope in life. He was everywhere all at once, spending time with friends, telling sea stories, playing music, and surfing. He loved hanging with his nieces, throwing them so high in the pool you weren’t sure if they would come down. Michael made all those in his life feel loved, accepted, and part of a greater good we can all embrace. The way he lived can serve as a valuable lesson that every moment should be considered an opportunity for an adventure and a reason to enjoy life.
Michael is survived by his mother and step father Marion and Bob McHenry, and brother Ishan Mons of Kauai, father and step mother Charles and Jan Mons of California, brother and sister in= law Chris and Jenny Mons, nieces Maile and Lanea Mons of Florida, and the most amazing group of friends you’ve ever met. Please come down to Wai’oli beach park, Pine Trees in Hanalei on Friday, May 27, 2016 at 2 p.m. for a celebration of life and a paddle out in his honor!
Larry Olson
Larry Olson of Lawai passed away at the age of 77 on May 17, 2016 at Wilcox Memorial Hospital. Born on March 3, 1939 in Canada he worked in construction as a carpenter.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Ethel Olson; and daughter, Shelley Olson.
Larry is survived by his caregiver, Dayna Kaono of Maui; son, Brent Olson of Canada; daughter, Heather (Keoni) Gabriel of Kapa’a; one grandchild; mother-in-law, Lottie Kukona of Mau’i; brothers, Ron (Judy) Olson of Canada and George Kaono of O’ahu; sisters, Dorothy (Bob) McGrath of California, Lori McArthur of Canada and Georgia Torricer of Maui; and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held at a later date.
Arrangements were handled by Garden Island Mortuary, Ltd.
