Maui Community Mourns Loss of Kumu Charles Kaupu Jr.

July 13th, 2011 · 22 Comments · Featured, Maui News
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By Wendy Osher

Charles K. Kaupu Jr. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Many on Maui are mourning the loss of Charles K. Kaupu Jr., after close friends confirmed his passing.

A radio tribute was made to his ‘ohana this morning on KPOA 93.5 FM, where he worked in the late 1980s and 90s as a Program Director and on-air personality.  While at the station, he was known over the airwaves as the “Bushman,” a fitting tribute to his trademark over-sized lei po’o that he wore proudly on many an occasion.

Kaupu was a kumu, chant teacher and performer, who worked most recently at the Old Lahaina Lu’au.  He also traveled with the musical duo Hapa, and was recently featured alongside musicians Raiatea Helm and Keola Beamer at the 34th Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards show.

On Maui, Kaupu was a founding member of the annual Celebration of the Arts Festival in Kapalua, where he led some of the ceremonial aspects of the event.

Kaupu was a 1975 graduate of Kamehameha Schools.

Those close to him embraced his humor, depth of knowledge, and perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture.

He was 53.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/jb.erdmann Jon Erdmann

    So sad, he will be missed by the many that loved him and his music.

  • Hawaiian Eyes

    ~OWAU NO KA I~
    I AM THE I
    OWAU NO KA "I"

    "I" come forth from the void into light,
    Pua mai au mai ka po iloko o ka malamalama,

    "I" am the breath that nurtures life,
    Owau no ka ha, ka mauli ola,

    "I" am that emptiness, that hollowness beyond all consciousness,
    Owau no ka poho, ke ka’ele mawaho a’e o no ike apau.

    The "I", the Id, the All.
    Ka I, Ke Kino Iho, na Mea Apau.

    "I" draw my bow of rainbows across the waters,
    Ka a’e au i ku’u pi’o o na anuenue mawaho a’e o na kai a pau,

    The continuum of minds with matters.
    Ka ho’omaumau o na mana’o ame na mea a pau.

    "I" am the incoming and outgoing of breath,
    Owau no ka "Ho", a me ka "Ha"

    The invisible, untouchable breeze,
    He huna ka makani nahenahe,

    The undefinable atom of creation.
    Ka "Hua" huna o Kumulipo.

    "I" am the "I".
    Owau no ka "I".

    • Malia

      Mahalo

    • http://www.facebook.com/THROUGH.HAWAIIAN.EYES Through Hawaiian Eyes

      That’s me above. The, "I" stands for a higher power whether it is God, Ke Akua, or any religion.
      I would like to leave one more……for Charles…….

      The Peace Of "I"
      KA MALUHIA O KA "I"

      Peace be with you, All My Peace,
      O ka Maluhia no me oe, Ku’u Maluhia a pau loa,

      The Peace that is " I ", the Peace that is "I am".
      Ka Maluhia o ka "I", owau no ka Maluhia,

      The Peace for always, now and forever and evermore.
      Ka Maluhia no na wa a pau, no ke’ia wa a mau a mau loa aku.

      My Peace " I " give to you, My Peace " I " leave with you,
      Ha’awi aku wau I ku’u Maluhia ia oe, waiho aku wau I ku’u Maluhia me oe,

      Not the world’s Peace, but, only My Peace,
      The Peace of " I ".

      A’ole ka Maluhia o ke ao aka, ka’u Maluhia wale no,
      Ka Maluhia o ka "I".

  • Russell Ho'omalu

    sucha great loss to all of us, he will be remembered well and long.

    • James Stone Sr.

      Gone too soon. As a parent volunteer, I remember Charles at the Kamehameha band camps. Proud of what he accomplished.

  • David Miller

    What a loss for Hawaii culture. He died way too young. I hope Hawaiians use this as a wake up call to your poor diet and the dangers of smoking. Your diet sucks and leads to early death.

    • Maui75

      Thank you Miller, for your thoughtful insight as to being so concerned about the Hawaiian people and their diet. In case you didn’t know, your western ways are the biggest contributors to obesity and poor diet upon my people!! So take your concerns and shove it!

      • Piko

        So Uncle Charles was the victim?

    • Piko

      I agree, as hard as it is to admit, Uncle Charles was a chain smoker. This is a serious wake up call for anyone, kanaka or otherwise. High blood pressure and cholesterol are the leading cause of heart disease. Diet, exercise and stopping smoking are the key to prevention. We used to tell him 20 years ago that he should stop. But he like smoke-smoke too muchy… :(

  • Lois Reiswig

    I only have love in my heart for Charles. He welcomed me into this land of aloha and treated me with great respect and kindness. He offered his services when asked. What I will remember most is his joyful laugh and a comment he made to me several years ago when I responded to him about something saying, "not bad for a haole"…to which he said, "no, you’re kama’aina, not haole". It was his way of saying you’re "okay". Thank you Charles. You will be missed, sweet one. As for others commenting on this site, if you can’t say something nice or constructive – don’t say anything.

  • ikuaaloha

    Kumu Kaupu was everyting Hawaiian Hawaii was about rolled up into one. I will miss you Kumu, your wit, your love of God, your "awaness" your Aloha and your comments on Facebook….you were just hilarious when it came to Politics….Now that you are in the Heavens with all of our Kupunas of old, and talkin with God and Jesus on a Daily basis, pray for us down here…

  • Mark Keli'i Ho'omalu

    You said you’d call when you got there…I’ll be waiting to hear from you.
    Mahalo for being my lifelong friend.

  • Ken Russell

    Charles,

    We will miss you deeply, but we will carry the spirit you shared in our hearts forever.

  • Renee Price

    Aloha e Charles,
    All I can say is…it hurts! I cannot wait until we meet again…make sure you are there to grab my hand. Mahalo for ALL you gave to our community, your beautiful chants and for being there for me…love you more…Ku`uleinani

  • http://www.facebook.com/THROUGH.HAWAIIAN.EYES Through Hawaiian Eyes

    Aloha,
    I brielfy met Charles only once through his sister, Julia Ka`upu yet not until tonight did I learn something about him. I was watching a You Tube video titled, "HAPA Hula Experience" and realized that Charles was chanting and conversing with Kupuna that passed recently, and also with those that passed hundreds even thousands of years ago. He was amongst royalty; Ali`i. He fluently conversed through chanting with everything; Nature, the Elements of Wind, Fire, Water, and Air.

    He was so unique that he lived between 2 worlds. He was a beloved Kumu to so many. He was passionate about the Hawaiian language, culture, and traditions. His heart and uhane was felt worldwide. His passing was felt deeply inside the soul of every person he touched.

    Hawai`i and the world has lost another living treasure. May he rest in Ke Akua’s peace,
    Amene.

  • Nakula

    To My People –

    No matter how great or small, a loss of such an individual soul as charles kaupu is more than a fleeting of the wind. The generations of us all, are passing in significant numbers and only now are being recognized for who we are. But as Hawaiian we are compelled to speak loud and at times with pride and many a time without thought. He is now a part of history that has passed, like our once great nation he has left a legacy to fulfill. Let us look to the future and take of the goodness and lessons learned from him and pass this knowledge on to the next generation of Hawaiians.

    I envy his journey now, and celebrate his memory in life knowing I was a good friend until the end.

    Prepare a place for me my brother as I will miss your counsel and sharp endearing wit, Hawaii will iss you, journey on and I will listen closely to the wind, just for a moment to hear you once more.

    E kou Makua O Kalani, e Hea a Ke kanaka, O Lahui O Kalani Leo Mai Nei E Kaupu, Aloha E….

    I Love You All – Hawaiians True and at Heart
    Nakula Imaikalani Kahaialii

  • Nolomana

    Aloha oe ‘e Kumu Charles, you tought me my first hula steps, my first dance and my first chant which I will never ever forget. You will surely be missed. You were as crazy funny as Kumu Thadius Wlison which whom you now get to re-unite with in Heaven, including one of your Kumu and best friend Daryl Lupenui. You have left a legacy in the lives of so many, you always had a conviction for Christ Jesus teaching us to always put Jesus first in our lives, your famous words " In all things you do, remember Jesus did more". Mahalo, Mahalo, Mahalo Kumu Charles until we meet again in heaven. Your brother in Christ ~ Nolomana Chun….PS. I’m gonna miss your daily food menu on Facebook!

  • Rev. Mary Ann Brown

    I was lead to Charles in April 1993 when I first came to Maui. He was a Brother of my Heart. He supported me as his tita when God’s program oneheartperiod.org was born 1993 feeding the homeless that lived in the cane fields. I served the Lord in Maui from September 1993 to 2000. When the Lord hand guided me to Jamaica to help build a school Charles prayed for me..

    This year in October Charles was going to walk with me in the Appalachia to serve God’s children in great need. The storage units are full with furniture, houseware items, clothes and the 26 foot trucks would once again pierce through the darkness of Appalachia West Virginia. I was so overjoyed that my brother said "Now it is my time to come over the rainbow and serve the Lord with you. I know that Charles Spirit will always be with me in my journey in the Lord. Rev. Mary Ann Brown

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1437667242 Hiro Sekine

    IMMEDIATELY RELEASE_On Tuesday July 12, 2011 a luminous light of aloha was extinguished unexpectedly. The family and friends of Loea Hula Charles Kauhi Kaupu, Jr. were left in disbelief as the reality and magnitude of their loss became apparent. _Ohana Kaupu would like to thank the hundreds of people who have expressed their aloha and respect for Kumu Charles. Their patience, outpouring of kind words and willingness to assist the family are a true reflection of their love for him._The task of formulating the appropriate memorial for this incredible man has been a monumental task for the ohana and they realize that many have been patiently waiting. They are grateful for your understanding and deep respect as they worked to finalize the appropriate memorial._Kumu Charles, like many Hawaiians was raised a Christian but still lived and honored his Hawaiian belief system. His family has chosen to honor both his practices by holding a Christian service at Kaumakapili Church on Oahu and than a traditional customary ceremony on Maui._His sister, Julie Kaupu, with the support of his family is organizing the Oahu ceremonies

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1437667242 Hiro Sekine

    while Lanakila Willard with the support of Stella Burgess and Clifford Naeole is coordinating arrangements on Maui.
    Thursday, August 4th at Kaumakapili Church the family invites the public to join them from 3:00 to 5:00 pm for visitation, services will commence at 5:00 and be conducted by Charles’ Uncle Kahu Kaupu and his friend Kahu Kamaunu.
    Services on Maui will be on Saturday, August 20, 2011 at the Old Lahaina Luau grounds. Services will be traditional with ancient protocols in place. Kumu Kaha’i Topolinski, leading this ceremony has instructed that no pahu, nose flute or conch shell be used in the procession. The use of any type of recording devices is also prohibited. Children under 12, unless they are accompanying immediate family, will not be allowed to enter. Seating will begin at 11:00 am and commence conclude at 11:45. Entrance will be closed once the procession is completed. A scattering of ashes will follow at Kaopala Bay in Kahana and a Celebration of Charles at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua will close this day of honoring.

  • Vicki Andersen

    Just sadness at the passing of such a great man and spirit. I met Charles late in our lives – about six years ago, and although we only had four in-person encounters, we exchanged many e-mails. As a travel writer who often covers the Islands of Aloha, I could always count on Charles to help me "keep the record straight". We often shared thoughts about spirituality and native culture. He called me his hoaaloha, which I shall cherish always.