VIDEO: Native Hawaiian Practitioner “Uncle Charlie” Passes

Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell Sr., File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Charles Kauluwehi Maxwell Sr., a kahu, native Hawaiian advocate, and longtime member of the Pacific Radio Group ‘ohana, died Thursday after a long illness.

Maxwell was among the leaders in an effort to protect native burials at Honokahua and a vocal advocate for the protection of Kaho’olawe.

He was also a cultural practitioner who was called upon to protect precious species including the replanting of siverswords at Haleakala, and the proper burial of whale ‘iwi or bones used in research.

For many years, Maxwell hosted the weekly two-hour radio program, “Talk Story with Uncle Charlie” on KNUI AM 900.

Prior to his work in the native Hawaiian community, Maxwell worked as a police officer for the County of Maui.

Those close to Maxwell say he took his last breath at 4:20 p.m. on Thursday, March 15.  He was 74.

Below are some video files we have featuring interviews with Uncle Charlie:

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD4N3ic8y0s /]

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9URYCY1uWE /]

[flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_9Jqz7qX0o /]