Joseph Enoka Nahoopii

Aloha Menemene
Waimaka o ka Lani
I would like to share my deepest sympathies with the Nahoopii family for the loss of my friend, cousin and co-worker Joseph Nahoopii who passed away on Jan. 8, 2014 at his home in Ohio. I'm told he passed away in his sleep which is the way I and everyone else I know hopes they will go. Joe was a warm, friendly and engaging person that was liked and admired by all those he worked with. We both hold Highway Technician-3 titles at the Ohio Department of Transportation and as far as we knew were the only Hawaiians ever to have worked here. Joe worked in Trumbull county and I work in adjoining Mahoning county. If you look at a map of Ohio we are at the northeastern tip of the state. Every summer we work in the construction department where we serve as project inspectors and ACI concrete technicians overseeing contractors. During the winter months we plow snow and serve as foremen in the maintenance department. We often joked about the odds of two Hawaiians plowing snow in one of the most brutal winter climates in the country. I did not know Joe before I came to work at ODOT but recognized the name instantly since I knew my family was related to the Hoopii family. I wasn't concerned with the “Na” part of the name and quickly claimed him as my cousin. As it turns out, we are related via the Quintua family from Molokai and the Lum family from Maui through my aunts Lilly Quintua and Nancy Lum(nee Holokai/my father's sisters). My family is originally from Maui although we presently have relatives all over the islands. When Joe and I first met we immediately became fast friends. I am going to miss him very much. We often had lunch together in the summer when we would meet at the district test lab turning in concrete samples for our designated projects. He bought my lunch the last time we met at the Chipotle Mexican Grill which was one of our favorites. Being Hawaiians, we loved the sticky rice with pork. Joe had a superior intelligence and an ample knowledge of civil engineering practices which is why he was such a coveted inspector in the construction department. He was also a computer whiz and brilliant mathematician. Additionally he was a skilled carpenter, mechanic, electrician, skier, snowboarder and volleyball player. Joe Nahoopii was nothing less than awesome. He would surely not have described himself as such because he was also a very kind and unpretentious person. As we grieve his passing we can take solace and pride in the knowledge that the world is a better place because he was here and that we are all better people for having known him. Aloha oe Joe, I will never forget you.
~Walter Holokai /Youngstown, Ohio

I got to know joe for one season at Odot, I truly respected him, he was great to work for and with he will be sadly missed

Melisa my deepest heartfelt sympathy on your loss. Praying for you and your children.

Rest in peace, condolences to Melisa, Chris,Nicole,and his grandson Thomas and the rest of Nahoopii family.

Our deepest condolences to Melisa, Chris & Nicole
And the rest of the Nahoopii family.

Rest in peace my friend. Not only was he my friend at work, I got to spend time playing volleyball and getting to know him. A huge void will be at ODOT without him by our sides. He watched out for us all. I will truly miss him.

Good by my friend. It was my pleaser to have worked with you. May you rest in piece.

We will surely miss you Jr. Wish you could've visited more often. It would've been nice for my kids to get to know their Uncle Jr. So enjoyed growing up with you and sharing some fun times. Love and Miss you. Our deepest sympathy to your ohana. Carrie, Boy, and the Bush-Kaai Ohana.

I will sadly miss my friend and cousin Joe Nahoopii. We worked together at ODOT and were good friends. He was a gentle, kind and unpretentious person who was liked and admired by all those that knew him. I will miss him very much. Aloha Menemene Nahoopii family. I will see you on Sunday

I work out of the ODOT test lab in Akron and got to know Joe when he would drop off test samples at the test lab. Joe always had a smile on his face and was pleasant to everyone he come in contact with. I am shocked and saddened to hear of his passing and will miss him very much. Rest in peace my friend.

I miss Joe. He taught me how to pronounce Hawaiian names. Joe liked Pa Pa John's pizza and generously would order enough to share. Joe respected people and was kind when greeting and departing their presence. I looked forward to a ski trip w/ Joe this season….it will have to wait for the next life. See you then Joe.

May the good graces of the lord be there to strengthen u all in this time of mourning. He will be missed but definitely not forgotten. Rest in peace my uncle and tell mom dem hi for me. Love u.

A very good person and best friend. You are like a brother to us. Your memory will always be in our heart. We will missed you. Rest in Peace Joe ~ we love you and your family.

Leo and Emmy Daradar (Streetsboro, OH)

A good friend to all at work, he will be missed. RIP Joe

I love you uncle jun. Ill miss all those short visits but always cherish those forever lasting memories i had with you.may you rest in peace n love.

Joe brightened my day ever time he came in my office at work. I am shocked and grieved at his passing. He will be missed here at ODOT by everyone, he was well liked and one of the hardest workers here. My deepeset condolences to his family and friends outside work.

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.