John was born in Honolulu Hawaii on March 7, 1943. His last name, Kaiahua, translates to “egg of the sea”, very appropriate for he had a profound love of the ocean and his Island homeland.

John lived a traditional Hawaiian life in his early years, immersed in the rich history of his family and of Hawaii.  As a young man, John proudly served his country as a United States Marine; serving two tours in Vietnam before returning to his new duty station in the islands until his father’s death in 1971. John retired from the Marine Corps in 1984. He was reactivated, for a short time, in 1991 for Operation Desert Shield.

His goal in life was to retire from USMC and go back to Hawaii.  However, his last duty station was the Marine Corps Finance Center in Kansas City in 1980. This is where he met Judy Reynolds Crawford and in 1981, along with James and Jason, they became a family.

He brought his love of the Earth and Hawaiian practices with him, building a reputation as an organic farmer. He was a Master Gardner and helped found the Barstow Organic Market, was active in the K.C. Food Circle, and strongly supported Cultivate Kansas City. He also loved to teach others the ways of growing organic and being self-sufficient.

John also had a deep interest and love for the history of Hawaii as well as his family history. This interest led him to spend much time researching the genealogy and ancestry of his family and the history of the Hawaiian people.  John’s love of his roots also brought him into the close knit Polynesian community in Kansas City, where he enjoyed the Hawaiian Civic Club and was the treasurer.

Later in life, John’s love of Hawaiian culture and of farming combined as he became known for growing many varieties of taro on his Raytown farm. This love of growing taro continued right up until the day of his death.

John Aneko Kaiahua is preceded in death by his parents, Abraham and Adelaide; and two brothers, Abraham and Robert. John is survived by his wife, Judy and granddaughter Brittany of the home; his step sons and daughters in law, James and Christina Crawford, Jason and Audra Crawford; as well as four other grandchildren and one great grandchild. John also leaves behind numerous friends and loved ones that he truly considered as family.

John passed away after a tragic accident and in death will be returned to his beloved Hawaii at a later date.  Celebration of Life will be held on April 29, 2017.  There will be a pot luck luncheon celebrating John’s life starting at 1PM and service to follow at 3PM.

It will be held at Dining Lodge at Camp Lake of the Woods, in Swope Park.

If arriving from the 435 and Gregory area take Gregory to Swope Park, past the lake and stay left to go onto Oldham Road. Follow signs for the “Go Ape / Tree Top Adventure”.

Google search for directions under the “Go Ape Tree Top Adventure” or the “Swope Park Mountain Bike Trail Head” as your destination. We will have signs posted from Oldham Road to the Lodge.

Donations in John’s honor may be made to:

          The Hawaiian Civic Club of Kansas City             

c/o Dorinda Nicholson    

             7236 Woodson Road                      

                              Raytown, MO 64133                                  

OR

Cultivate Kansas City

c/o Katheriine Kelly

4223 Gibbs Rd

Kansas City KS 66106        

Or on line   Cultivatekc.com

Checks made payable to the group name

On May 12^th there will be military services at the Veteran’s State Cemetery at Higginsville Missouri, at 3:00 pm.