Big John was the eldest son of 5 children from Joseph Kauo Sr. and Lorna Hano Kauo, born on Dec. 13, 1933.  Not only have the parents gone by, but he has lost a brother, Joseph Kauo Jr. (Butchie), and Lorna Kauo (Sweetheart).  Surviving are Lynette Fernandez (Darling) and Lenore Javellana (Sweetie.)  

 

He grew up in the small, close-knit Hawaiian community in Anahola, Kaua'i, until he departed for Kamehameha Schools - Kapalama Campus on  O'ahu and through his exceptional athletic abilities earned him the reputation as a star running back for their football team. During his senior year, Big John drove buses for the Kamehameha Schools; and while at school, Big John was respected for singing and playing his guitar in the dorms and for his outstanding participating in the ROTC program. After graduating from high school, Big John returned to Kaua'i and married Marlene, a school teacher and together they raised one daughter, Maile Ann in their Kapahi home.

 

Big John was an accomplished musician, and mastered the ukulele, guitar, and stand up bass. He performed with the musical group, The Torchlighters, while working as the night manager and chief of security at the iconic Coco Palms Hotel, he also performed at the Lihue Airport to serenade travelers and performed at many weddings and other local gatherings.  He was involved in mix martial arts since 1948. In the 1960's, a new karate school started in Honolulu called Kenpo headed by one of Hawaii's greatest boxers Marino Tiwanak. A branch school in Hanapepe was opened and after 4 years, Big John received his Black Belt. 

 

Big John shared his wisdom, inspiration, and aloha with the members of the Kaua'i community and served as a living example of strength and integrity, all the while exemplifying kindness and generous spirit, thus enhancing lives and bringing an abundance of warmth and aloha to the people around him.

 

If you visited the former Coco Palms hotel while it was open, you would have been greeted by John either as the manager of the hotel or years later as the security person where he continued to greet the guests with his warm "aloha".

 

 He had a heart of gold and would give his last dollar to others.  He was generous when he could be because he always said: When I would ask my daddy for some money for the movies, Grandpa would pull out his pockets and give me his last 50 cents. Big John could never forget that. He also claimed his love for his wife and would say that he would not be the man he is today without her.

 

He said, I pray to live to my 80th birthday as I have never had a party for me before and it is a goal, after which I will go to see mommy. Right after his birthday, he had another little heart attack which rendered him a loss of appetite.  He passed away on Dec. 29, 2013 at his home.

 

 

Thank you for enjoying his life with him.  He surely loves you all!!