2019 Rewind: Kealoha Ohana Reunion

The Kealoha Family Reunion was held on May 11, 2019 at Kukaiau Ranch on the Big Island of Hawaii. The ranch is the ancestral home of Sam Kealoha (shown in the photo above, arms folded) along with this three sons, Milton (left), George (center) and Paul (right). His three daughters (not pictured) include Myrtle Kealoha Pung, LaVerne Kealoha Ah Ching (my mother) and Maraea Kealoha Reff. “Papa Sam” was married to Maraea Serenia Wela. All of them have passed on.

The May 2011 reunion was a chance for the current generations and descendants of Sam and Maraea Kealoha to gather and touch base with each other. It was a great day to share stories, memories, photos and videos of our families history in years past.

The reunion brought our “ohana” closer together.  A Facebook group was created to keep family members updated, and a long delayed headstone for grand matriarch Maraea Kealoha was recently unveiled at the Honokaa County Cemetery.

Many photos were taken and some are posted here as well as on the Kealoha Ohana Facebook page (membership required). Enjoy!

One of several group shots taken at the reunion.

Chong/Reff Ohana (Mariah Kealoha)

Milton Kealoha ohana.

Paul Kealoha ohana.

George Kealoha ohana.

Pung ohana – Myrtle Kealoha.

Children of the future generations.

Kukauiau Ranch Social Hall. This is the location where the reunion was held. The social hall has hosted many gatherings and parties in more than 70 years of existence. It was the focal point of Kukaiau Ranch’s social life.

The house on the right is the former home of Sam Kealoha, the patriarch of the Kealoha ohana. He was a cowboy on Kukaiau / Umikoa Ranch for a long time. He passed away in 1969.

The roadway at Umikoa Village, Kukaiau, Hawaii.