Samuel Pomaikai

On Monday, Jan. 24, Samuel Aalona Kaopua Pomaikai Sr., “Papa,” made the transition from earth to glory! He was a very humble man. He was born to John Kaopua Sr. and Mabel KealohaNui Elderts on Nov. 5, 1920, in Waipio Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii. He and his siblings were raised partially on the Big Island, and shortly after, the family made the move to Oahu, where Samuel attended Royal School in Makiki. His father started a business, catering Hawaiian food. His “good cooking,” as he would say, captured the heart of a Hawaiian beauty named Josephine Manini, who became his wife on Dec. 21, 1947. Samuel worked at various jobs; he was talented and gifted in many things. He was a carpenter, excellent cook, seamstress, architect, musician, artist, baker —the list goes on... He worked at Mahealona Grocery Store in Nanakuli, Oahu. He told the story of where he was on Dec. 7, 1941, when the war broke out, and how he and his buddies who worked with him at the store were recruited that day by the U.S. Navy. They were taken to the Navy Ammunition Depot there in Nanakuli, and remained there for weeks. He spoke of it often, and never forgot his experiences there. Samuel’s experiences there started his career, from which he retired after 31 years as an Ammunition Inspector for the Navy. He spent the next 10 years working for First Hawaiian Bank at Keaau, in Makaha, Oahu. Two years after they married, Samuel’s wife stayed faithful in prayer until he was saved under the leadership of the Rev. Samuel and Sarah K. Kila Sr. at the Nanakuli Door of Faith Mission. They raised nine children in this faith. For Samuel, God was everything he ever needed in life. He was instrumental in leading his buddies to the Lord, and was pleased to serve side by side in church with them for many years. He and his wife were active in the DOF youth conventions in the Islands. That part of their journey brought them much joy; they were able to use the special talents with which God graced their lives, and this was graciously passed down to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Music was always a passion that never diminished in Samuel’s life. He served as head deacon, a faithful Sunday school teacher, at the NDOFM, where he taught primary and junior class. Students he taught then are now serving in ministry. He was blessed to have had a student who became his son-in-law, and is also today his pastor: Neal Leslie Sr. In 1982, after receiving the blessings of their pastors, Samuel and his wife gave away their two homes and all of their belongings to their children, said goodbye to family, and boarded the plane for Oregon, where Samuel served faithfully for the last 29 years under the ministry of Pastor Neal Leslie Sr. The First Door of Faith Church of Corvallis was truly blessed with a prayer warrior, a man of God who knew no other way but God’s way. Samuel was also the oldest member of the Hawaiian Singing Leslies, a group that took God’s Word in music and songs to many. His favorite time of the year was winter. The Corvallis Christmas Parade was an event he looked forward to every year. His life was filled to capacity! He fulfilled his passion for living...he loved the Lord with all his heart. His greatest desire was to make sure he lived a life pleasing to the Lord, and that we not miss heaven. Samuel was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 49 years, Josephine, who died in 1996. He is survived by five sons, Samuel A. Pomaikai Jr. (Mae) of Nanakuli, Capt. Paul Kaipo Pomaikai Sr. (Donna) of Kapolei, Oahu, Princeton E. Pomaikai Sr. (Julie) of Corvallis, Matthew “Hap” Pomaikai, also of Corvallis, and Moses K. Pomaikai Sr. (Frances) of Houston, Texas; four daughters, Jo-Ann Uilani Isomura (Norman) of Nanakuli, Faith Mahealani Kanui (Tako) of Waianae, Oahu, Mabel KealohaNui “Mae” Leslie (Neal Sr.) of Corvallis, and LaVerne Lehua Leslie (Clarence Sr.), also of Corvallis; one hanai daughter, Schanny Schmidt Taylor of Michigan; two sisters, Mary “Maka” Lee of Makakilo, Oahu, and Lorretta White of Nanakuli; 45 grandchildren; 75 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; brothers John “Sonny” Kaopua Sr., Charles Kelaula Kaopua Sr. and Henry Jackson Kaopua; and one sister, Mabel K. Aka. Samuel’s funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. today at Life Community Church, formerly known as the “Naz-Dome.” A luncheon will follow directly after the service. Final services will be at Mililani Mortuary, with burial to follow at Nanakuli Homestead Cemetery, on Feb. 20 and 21. Memorial donations in Samuel’s name can be directed to McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St., Corvallis, OR 97330, or Mililani Mortuary, P.O. Box 457, Pearl City, Hawaii 96782.

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Samuel Pomaikai

November 5, 1920 - January 24, 2011