From:

Big John's daughter Maile

 

Dad was a one of a kind Hawaiian Monarch. He always promoted my careers and education, and had me start working at Coco Palms as a Hostess on school breaks. His loss has been so great to me as he stayed home with us all of his life, through thick and thin. His skin is more thick than thin, though, and like his wife, had nine lives. Hospice helped us with him 3 times and with my mother, 11 times. He is the only man that the HNL cardiologist knew to have a quadruple bypass (using veins from a Texan) as his veins were removed early from so many Karate kicks - and - his heart had reconnected itself to a 100 percent flow 12 years later. no sign of the bypass. The Dr. said that with good exercise and no smoking nor drinking, arteries do reattach. Love his kisses of goodbyes before work, and his sweet cologne always. Your little m. PS your new son in law, Porfirio, misses the --------out of you as he assisted in your care for 7 years. To my cousin Val and all of my family who helped put up this website, God bless you and thank you for sharing the life of this man of men with all of the world. When he left, I felt him go straight to Heaven. PSS Dad, your cracker jack smart wife (who passed just before you) is with you now and our Granny.

 

 

From:

Jack Williams

 

Our times at the Coco Palms back in the 80's were great memories. Big John was a special part of that. I quite enjoyed reading the book by David Penhallow, The Story of the Coco Palms Hotel ( we bought 2 copies). I got quite a chuckle reading about Big John and Elvis Presley.

 

From:

Tom Summers

 

I'll never forget Big John's handshake. I always prepared myself for that "grip" and his big hugs.

 

From:

Cathy Polen

 

Flooded with memories. So many memories. So-o-o glad Big John touched our lives. Like Elvis, bigger than life, as we knew it at the time. We'll always love you. Mahalo & Aloha nui loa. Kimo & Kakalina

 

 

From:

Brado Mamalias

 

I have several memories of this great

Hawaiian man. He knew my pops.

Also my brothers who played in the lounge.

He watched me as I became kolohe. I was 17

yrs. old and all check with an umbrella in my drink. He grabbed me and said one drink and GO!...Took one sip and left.

 

From:

Janet Rasmussen

 

Ke Akua Pu John.....

 

From:

Janie Kiehne

 

The only thing I know about Big John is what I've read in the Coco Palms book. It sounds like he was an amazing person, and lived a wonderful life on Kauai. RIP to a CCP legend!

 

From:

David Haas

 

Took karate with him with sen sei Jimmy Lee at All Saints and worked at Coco Palms when he was there too.

 

 

 

From:

John C Bell

 

Big John was Grace's protector and right hand man. For you Elvisfans, Big John, a karate master, went through an actual karate session with Elvis. Big John was and still is one of the most respected men associated with the Coco Palms.

 

From:

Rico Tranilla

 

Big John Kauo...always my Braddah!!

 

From:

Marianne Liptak Guy

 

Someone you never forget, he will forever be part  of Coco Palms!

 

From:

Carolyn Jarvis

 

We saw Big John a couple of years ago at the Blue Hawaii tribute

and then read about him in the book about Coco Palms. I'm sorry he

had to leave before CCP was rebuilt but maybe he will oversee if from above.

 

From:

Ken Olds

 

Imua Big John

 

From:

Jan Schoonmaker

 

I am so happy I have a photo of him.

 

From:

Jack Williams

 

My wife and I were married at the Coco Palms in May 1984, while Grace and Big John

were still there. We returned for anniversaries until the Coco Palms was closed due to Iniki.

In our first few visits, we became acquainted with Big John as he invited us to private parties at the House

in the Palms and the special dinners at the Coconut Palace. A real gentleman and a pleasure to have known him.

 

From:

Monte Huff

 

Our thoughts and sympathy go out to the Kauo family and the Coco Palms 'Ohana.

 

From:

Michael Mada

 

I met Big John through his brother Butchie, my classmate. Those were

two Hawaiian braddahs that were special to me and ones you wouldn't want

to mess with. Aloha my braddahs!

 

From:

Dina K. Hayes

 

My name is Dina Hayes. I am uncle Big John's niece from the Kauo family.

This is a story of my life with uncle Big John.

 

One thing about my uncle John was that he always made me feel welcomed at his home.

I would come up to greet him and he had a smile on his face that made me feel I was with

my grandpa Butch. It was uncle John's wish to have a birthday party, and with family

and friends he celebrated that wish. Sometimes I'll open the book of Coco Palms and

flip to the section of uncle John. I'll stare at his pictures and read about his life at Coco Palms.

Aloha 'oe uncle John

 

From:

Wendy Barbier

 

I always remembered him being so nice God bless Big John.

 

From:

Jock Bethune

 

God bless and keep you Big John! so many memories of our times together over the years!!

Thank you for your friendship!!

 

From:

Michael Shank

 

I wish I could have met him.