Remembered as a man who had strong faith in Christ and who loved his family, his neighbors, friends, and the young men he worked with in Scouting, Duke Kimo Nihipali’s life was celebrated on Sept. 29 at the Laie Hawaii North Stake Center.
He passed away on Sept. 15 at the age of 56. He worked at BYU-Hawaii for many years as an electrician with the Office of Information Technology, and his wife, Kamaile, still works at the university also in IT.
Nihipali was born in Kahuku on Aug. 9, 1962, but he grew up in Hauula, said Neal Hanohano, a friend who gave the eulogy at his service. “I am so grateful he’s my friend,” said Hanohano.
Saying his family was the most important thing to Nihipali, Hanohano talked about how much Duke loved each of his children and his wife and eternal companion, Kamaile. Laie 6th Ward Bishop Curt Okimoto added Nihipali loved his wife and her sweet and loving nature.
Hanohano said Nihipali told him how proud he was of his oldest daughter, Karen, who is like a second mother to his two daughters with disabilities and earth angels, Moani and Kapua, and also his two sons, Tyrell and Kaluna, who Duke was tough on, he said, but who have become young men who are hardworking and willing to serve others.
His sons are both Eagle Scouts, Hanohano said adding, “It’s my hope both of his boys know how much he loved mentoring them.” Nihipali served in Scouting mentoring more than 20 young local boys through their teen years and helping them to go on Church missions, Hanohano said, adding those boys are now men raising families of their own.
“He dedicated so many years to the Boy Scouts of America,” Hanohano said. “Education and goal setting were his passions.” But Hanohano said Nihipali also loved and trusted the Savior and believed in God’s Plan of Salvation. Hanohano said Nihipali wanted people to know, “Christ will always look after you and your children.”
Nihipali’s own words echoed his passions, as Hanohano read comments written during his last days by Nihipali to his family and friends. In it Nihipali writes a “few last notes from a person with 20/20, hundred-percent vision: This is your life. Find happiness. Always have an objective in mind. Dates and deadlines – set your marks necessary to meet your objectives. Action, action, action! If you’re constantly doing something of good works… you’re getting something done. If all you do is think about it… then nothing gets done… I love you all.”
Also speaking at Nihipali’s celebration of life were two of the young men he mentored: Longtime family friend, Maurice Mo’o and his bishop, Curt Okimoto. Both men talked about how Nihipali took them under his wing, training them in his weight room and teaching them how to take care of themselves and others.
“To me, Duke was an older brother, mentor, teacher, coach, and Scoutmaster. He was my Scoutmaster,” said Mo’o. He added Nihipali taught them to “fish, camp, tie knots – you name it, and we did it.” Mo’o said Nihipali helped hundreds of young men in the community and in the local Church wards.
Mo’o also said Nihipali knew and loved the Lord and the Lord loved him, and because of that relationship, Duke found peace and love in his life.
Okimoto said he spent hours talking and learning from Nihipali. “Not only was I Duke Nihipali’s bishop, but also I am one of the fruits of his labors.” He added, “We spent many occasions together and we talked about everything from family and politics to Kahuku football.” Okimoto said Nihipali was a no nonsense kind of guy “who would tell it to you straight.”
“He was my life coach, my older brother, and I am proud to say one of my best friends,” said Okimoto.
Despite losing a leg due to health issues, Okimoto said Nihipali came to Sacrament Meeting in his Red Raiders wheelchair every Sunday no matter what was happening. “He was my shining example,” Okimoto said. “He lived a life of service.”
Okimoto said lined up at Nihipali’s house were five or six packs of batteries recharging for his wheelchair. He said Nihipali used the wheelchair daily to visit with people, deliver flowers and fruit to the widows in the ward, and also to share the delicious or ono lau lau he made. Nihipali would come by at 6 a.m. on Saturday mornings and always have something for him like his famous hot lau lau. Okimoto said, “He was very generous and giving.”
Quoting John 15:13, which says: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” Okimoto continued, “Think about that? How can we apply that in our lives? That’s how Duke survived all the challenges of life by turning outward and serving others.”
Okimoto said Nihipali knew he was living on borrowed time and planned his whole funeral, and he joked probably down to the flowers, plants and food, because he loved all those things. Nihipali also loved music and had three songs sung by a family choir with soloists and people singing duets during his service.
Retelling the hours just before Nihipali’s passing, Hanohano said he followed inspiration to go and see his longtime friend at the hospital. When he got to his room, Hanohano said Nihipali recognized him and called out his name. Hanohano said he went over and stood by his side and held his hand. Immediately, he said, Duke started asking about his family, but Hanohano said he could tell he was in a lot of pain and told Duke just to rest and he would stay with him.
At one point, Nihipali suffered a seizure, Hanohano continued, and the room was quickly filled with doctors and nurses. A doctor told him to call Duke’s family and have them come, and they all came including Bishop Okimoto, and his wife, Ramona. Okimoto said it was Nihipali’s desire to receive a priesthood blessing and wanted him and his cousin, Clint Mariteragi, to do it for him. Okimoto said they told him all would be well with him family, and as soon as they took their hands off his head, he passed to the other side of the veil.
At his celebration of life was a display of photos of Nihipali and his family and friends over the years. There were two sayings included in the display Nihipali was known for sharing with others. The first was one he got from his father: “Can’t you hear what I’m thinking?” Nihipali wrote in his last words to family and friends, at first this saying “may seem ridiculous, but down deep,” he said, “this is eternal. Think about it.” The second saying was: “Take care of your business.” Okimoto added about this saying Nihipali would encourage people to step up and take care of the things they can and that matter most, which Okimoto said are the things “we can treasure up in heaven and not on the earth.”
Writer: LeeAnn Lambert