In search of the Next Wave

Kenny Kohler, aged 77, sailed off into the sunset for his last voyage on the morning of December 5th, 2025 after a peaceful evening of singing and ukulele playing with friends and family in Haiku. Born on May 10th, 1948 in Calumet Michigan, he was the son of James R Kohler and Eleanor Kajander with older siblings Jim and Carole.

As an adventurer, Kenny experienced life to the fullest. After moving to Oahu with his family in 1957 and learning to surf in Ewa Beach, he ran away from home to ride the waves along the coast of California. In 1964, big brother Jim and Kenny joined the crew delivering a 39-foot sail boat from Hanalei to Ketchikan, which took 22 days over 2365 nautical miles.

Drafted into Vietnam at the age of 18, Kenny received the Purple Heart for his distinguished service. After recovering from his battle wounds, he returned to surfing on the North Shore of Oahu before making his way to Maui where he helped a damsel in distress rig her windsurfer. Married just two weeks later in 1983, he and Kathleen raised two sons Leif and Hans along with his hanai daughter, Jenna. His passion for the outdoors from mauka to makai is now being passed down to his soon-to-be eleven grandchildren.

Kenny is survived by ex-wife Kathleen, his siblings, children, grandchildren, and life partner(s) Lisa.