Dennis X Chai

DENNIS XAVIER HUALANI ALOIAU CHAI, PhD
June 19, 1943 – July 20, 2016

On the morning of July 20, 2016, lovingly surrounded by family and friends, and filled with the Holy Spirit, Dr. Dennis Xavier Hualani Aloiau Chai was called home to enjoy everlasting life with Jesus Christ in heaven. His family laid hands, and prayed the Lord's Prayer saying a final aloha, knowing goodness and mercy shall follow him as his spirit lifted to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Dennis was born to Cecilia "Cissylani" Aloiau Ceballos on June 19th, 1943 and was raised by her sister, Ella Kamaka Aloiau Chai and Paul Soong Yen Chai in Kane'ohe, Hawaii. He graduated from Saint Louis High School in 1961, and then attended the University of Hawai'i where he received his Bachelors degree in 1966 and later a Masters degree in 1970. Dr. Chai earned his Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California, specializing in Kinesiology and Exercise Science.

Dr. Chai was an all-star, multi-sport athlete while at St. Louis High School, and became a Letterwinner in basketball, volleyball, and track at the University of Hawai'i, Manoa,. Even today, Dr. Chai is considered one of the best all-around athletes in all Hawai'i nei. An army veteran, who served in Korea during the Vietnam War, he was often called upon to compete for the service's volleyball team in the USA Volleyball Open tournament. He also competed in the USA Volleyball tournament in the 60s age division, winning 3 gold medals at the open level.

A true educator and mentor, Dr. Chai had a distinguished career. Through his extensive knowledge and warm "aloha style" of teaching, Dr. Chai had the opportunity to impart his decades of experience on many young, hungry minds. He taught at St. Louis High School, was a Graduate Assistant at the University of Southern California, an Assistant Professor in the former Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Department and Associate Professor in the current Kinesiology and Leisure Science (KLS) Department at the University of Hawai'i. On the weekend, Dennis taught Sunday School at St. Ann's Catholic Church. He also coached countless student-athletes for many years; especially youth and high school sports teams. He believed in positive coaching, sportsmanship, and teamwork, and was one of the founding members of the Hawaii chapter of Positive Coaching Alliance.

Dr. Chai was instrumental in promoting physical fitness and health on a local and national level. An active member in the community, Dr. Chai was a huge contributor to many organizations that supported physical fitness, exercise, health, and positive coaching in Hawai'i including the International Council and Hawai'i Assoc. for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance; National Association of Sport and Physical Education; American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; National Recreation and Park Association; Kapiolani Hospital's Childhood Obesity Task Force; and so many more.

His humility, humor, kind heartedness, selflessness, determined strength, and aloha spirit, permeates throughout the many people whose lives he has touched. He has been an inspiration to many, and has taught each of us to strive for excellence, serve others, and be humble and kind always. These and other life lessons we will always remember.

Dennis was the husband of Alvina Lopez, and the late Ku`uipo (Morgan) Chai; and is survived by his children – Aulii (Blaise) Hirayama, Kumuhone (Michelle) Stone, Lani (Stephen) Kaaa, Puna (Sean) Na'auao, Courtney Chai, and Jayme Ide; and grandchildren – Keenan, Landon, Po'ai, Pono, Josiah, Kamuela, and Mehana, and two granddaughters on the way; and siblings – Ella (Carlton) Leinani Brooks, Paul (Sharon) Chai, Jr., the late Alan Ceballos, Jerome Ceballos, the late James (Estelle) Ceballos, Larry Ceballos, Matthew Ceballos, Bernard "Kealii" Ceballos, and Bernadette "Sister" (Lono) Moleta.; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will celebrate his life on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at St. Ann's Church, 46-129 Ha'iku Road, Kane'ohe, Hawai'i. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., with Family Services at 12:00 p.m. followed by Mass at 12:45 p.m. A Veteran Salute and inurnment will immediately follow at Hawaiian Memorial Park/Hawai'i State Veteran's Cemetery at 2 p.m. Lei are welcome, please no flowers. Aloha attire.