THE REV. S. W. KEKUEWA PASSES ON

After being worn away by a debilitating illness for some time, the Rev. Stephen William Kekuewa grew weary of this life, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John P. Kapua, on School Street, at four o’clock in the afternoon, on Wednesday of this past week; and in the afternoon of this past Sunday, his remains were carried to the Maemae Cemetery.

The Rev. S. W. Kekuewa was born at Luakaha, Nuuanu, on the 25th of February, 1842, therefore when he died he was over seventy-eight years old.

During his youth, he was educated at Lahainaluna School, under his teachers, S. E. Bishop and C. B. Andrews; and for some years he lived on the island of Micronesia on a mission he was sent on by the Hawaiian Evangelical Board [Papa Hawaii].

Because the health of his wife was not good, they returned to Hawaii nei, and he served as the kahu of the chruch at  Iole, Kohala, Hawaii for many years.

Because of the letter of the members of the church of Waianae which called for him to be the kahu of that church, he left the church of Kohala and went to live at Waianae; at that church he lived and worked until he was called by his Lord, and he went to his permanent home beyond.Rev. S. W. Kekuewa was married twice; his first wife was Mrs. Miriam Kamali Kekuewa, and after  her death, he married for the second time, to Mrs. Kuewa Wharton of Waialua, Oahu.

When he left this life, he left behind a widow, and his seven children with his previous wife: David Kekuewa; John K. Kekuewa; and Stephen William Kekuewa, who is employed with the Inter-Island Steam Navigation Company [Hui Mokuahi Holo Pili Aina]; Charles Kekuewa, who is employed as a deputy warden of the City and County of Honolulu; Lily Kekuewa, the principal of the school of Puuanahulu, in North Kona, Hawaii; Mrs. John P. Kapua; and Mrs. Franco; as well as the many grandchildren.

His funeral was held in the Kaumakapili Church in the afternoon of this past Sunday, under the leadership of Rev. Henry K. Poepoe, and from there the procession moved along accompanied by family and friends of the deceased, to the cemetery of Maemae, and his remains were placed there, as the Holy Book says, earth returns to earth.

Rev. S. W. Kekuewa was one of the very old time pastors, and with his passing on to the other world, the church of Waianae is left vacant, and it will be difficult to fill his place.

(Kuokoa, 11/12/1920, p. 4)