Posted on: Thursday, October 24, 2002
Jimmy Hueu, Hawaiiana expert, dead at 88
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau
WAILUKU, Maui — Jimmy Hueu of Ke'anae, whose knowledge of local history and things Hawaiian propelled him to the Smithsonian Institution, died Friday at 88.
"He's a legend," said daughter Nalani Kaauamo. "He worked hard and had his struggles in his early years. But he was a fantastic dad. And his knowledge of history, culture and genealogy drew people to him."
James Keolaokalani Hueu Jr. was born in the taro-growing region of Ke'anae on July 26, 1914, and it was his knowledge of the taro plant that got him invited to the Smithsonian in 1989 to pound poi and talk story.
Hueu worked for 32 years with Alexander & Baldwin's East Maui Irrigation Co., retiring as a supervisor for the company that oversees a vast ditch system that captures surface water and sends it the Central Maui sugar cane fields.
Hueu, who also was a prison camp guard, oversaw a prison crew who worked on the construction of the Hana Highway, cutting into valley walls and building the dozens of concrete bridges that cross streams and gullies. It was said he walked every inch of the road and was just as familiar with the East Maui forests, where he often assisted authorities in searches for missing people.
Educated only through the seventh grade, Hueu sent all of his children to Kamehameha Schools.
A wake will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Ballard Family Mortuary in Kahului, with service at 6 p.m. Visitation will continue 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at the mortuary, with a service at 9 a.m. Burial will follow at Maui Memorial Park. The family requests casual attire.
He is survived by sons Harry of Ke'anae and Jimmy III of O'ahu; daughters Barbara Patrick Kaslowski of Michigan, MaryAnn Aloy and Marlene Eberheart, both of O'ahu, Janet Redo of Ke'anae, Nalani Kaauamo of Ke'anae; a brother, Jacob of O'ahu; sisters Nancy Kuulei Ihu of Wailuku, Nellie McCarthy of Kalaupapa, Lois Cummings of California, Angeline Apo of O'ahu and Irene Kalawai'a of Lahaina; 23 grandchildren and 59 great-grandchildren.
