Boogie Kahilihiwa: Leader, Mentor, Advocate

By Valerie Monson, Special to The Molokai Dispatch
Kalaupapa leader Clarence “Boogie” Kahilihiwa was a man for all ages.
“I think it was just his presence,” said Brother Noland, the legendary musician, author and mentor to young people. “He had that charisma, he was vocal, he had the personality and that great attitude.”
Kahilihiwa — known since childhood as Boogie — died March 5 at Leahi Hospital, barely a month before his 80th birthday. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 43 ½ years, Ivy, and a multitude of friends from near and far, enough to fill an arena. When Boogie’s death was announced, condolences poured in from across the islands, the Mainland and Belgium.…












