• Thomas Keats Emma • Emery Joseph Opu‘ulani Kaiawe Gifford • Isaac Kaluna Kaai Thomas Keats Emma Thomas Keats Emma, 87, of Princeville, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 30, 2017. His daughter, Christina and son-in-law, Patrick were by his side. He
• Thomas Keats Emma • Emery Joseph Opu‘ulani Kaiawe Gifford • Isaac Kaluna Kaai
Thomas Keats Emma
Thomas Keats Emma, 87, of Princeville, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 30, 2017. His daughter, Christina and son-in-law, Patrick were by his side. He was surrounded by his books, his photographs and the love of family and friends.
Thomas was born in Lake Forest, IL April 16, 1930, to Joseph and Amelia (Berky) Emma. He graduated from Lake Forest High School and served in the US Army, traveling with the USO.
He received a BA in English Literature from Northwestern University. Thomas spent a year at the Sorbonne University in Paris, which became his favorite city in the world. As a young man, he also worked at the Pasadena Playhouse, as well as the Los Angeles Times. He received his MA from UCLA and began teaching English at Ventura County Community College in 1961. He remained there until he retired in 1992.
Thomas moved to Kauai in 1995 and designed and helped build his beautiful home. He was a lover of great stories, and an avid reader and writer. In 2016, he published a book of short stories and poems that were written over his lifetime, “Paris After the War.” He was a fan of regular exercise and would be mistaken for a much younger man throughout his life.
Tom was also extremely lucky in real estate, the stock market and, to the chagrin of his Thursday night friends, in poker. He was a quick-witted, generous friend, doting father and proud grandpapa, to the core. He loved life and lived his with tremendous Aloha.
Thomas is survived by two daughters, Christina Webb of Oahu and Lauren Emma of Santa Barbara; by his son-in-law, Patrick Webb and by two grandchildren, Max Thomas Webb and Ashley Emma. He is also survived by his brother, David Emma and many nieces and nephews.
Thomas was preceded in death by his wife, Laurie (Ridley) Emma and his siblings, Joseph Emma and Rose (Emma) Freeman.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Kauai. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kauai Hospice.
Kauai Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home Assisted the family with arrangements.
Emery Joseph Opu‘ulani Kaiawe Gifford
Emery Joseph Opu‘ulani Kaiawe Gifford of Anahola, Kauai passed away on Aug. 19, 2017, at the age of 80. He was born on Dec. 24, 1936, in Lihue, Kauai and raised in Niumalu. He was a retired Security Guard at Wilcox Hospital. He also worked at Hanalei Bay Resort and Better Brands. Emery served in the US Navy.
He is preceded in death by wife, Elizabeth Kauo; his mother, Adelaide Gifford Calkin; sister, Lynette Vaughan and his beloved “Grampa and Gramma” George and Annie Kaiawe.
Emery is survived by his wife, Carylee Gifford; stepsons, Joel Pahukula of Puhi, Kaleo (Andrea) Pahukula of Maui; sisters, Marie (Jim) Watson of Florida and Ilona Souza of Lihue; niece, Puanani (Scott) Knight of Maui; nephews, Marc Souza, Michael Prioste of Honolulu and Patrick (Kimberly) Beaman of Idaho; three grandchildren, Jayden, Jaxson and Kamalei Pahukula of Maui. He is also survived by numerous aunties, uncles, cousins and friends.
Family and friends may visit with the family on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, at Borthwick Mortuary in Koloa. Visitation is at 9 a.m. with services at 10 a.m. Burial to follow at Kauai Veteran’s Cemetary in Hanapepe. The family suggests casual attire. Flowers are welcomed.
Arrangements were handled by Bortwick Kauai Mortuary.
Isaac Kaluna Kaai
Isaac Kaluna Kaai of Kapaa, Kauai passed away on April 14, 2017, at Wilcox Hospital at the age of 72. Born on Aug. 3, 1944, at Waimea Hospital, Kauai, HI, he was a security officer at the Academy of Arts in Oahu and at Safeway on Kauai.
He was preceded in death by his father, Solomon Kaai; mother, Annie Wood Hussey; brothers, Ernest and Kenneth and sister, Annie Erlandiz. His brother Solomon Kaai passed away in July.
He is survived by his brothers, Nelson Kaai and Allen Kapali; sisters, Mary Kekuewa, Charlotte Kaai, Charlene Molsbarger; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Friends and family can celebrate his life at Numalu Pavilion on Sat, Sept. 9, 2017. Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. Services will be held at 10 a.m. with lunch to follow.
