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    On November 17, 1943, Thomas Kauai was born. Proud parents were William and Elizabeth Kauai of Ulupalakua, Maui.
    Hereafter I will refer to Thomas as Ducky; since he was seldom known as Thomas. As it is said, as a child Ducky loved and enjoyed imitating the ducks walk in his yard. Therefore his relatives started calling him, "Duckaling". His friends calls him "Ducky".
    Ducky attended Ulupalakua Elementary School then Keokea school before completing his education at Maui High School.
    He married his high school sweetheart, Joanne Yap. They had two sons, Louis and Lance.
    Never wanting to follow in his father's foot steps as a cowboy, Ducky's first employment was at Maui Pineapple Company as a tray boy. But his "itch" to get into the construction industry finally became a reality when Joseph Hew Construction Company hired him as a laborer. When the company dissolved, he worked for F&M Contractors, where he started as a laborer, but soon became a mason.
    His other employment were with Japo Yokoyama Building Contractor and ended with Paul Yokoyama Concrete.
    During the weekend and some holidays, Ducky was kept busy building driveways and fences for others. All made for free with love. The "Bruddah" had a heart of gold; so loving, generous, and kind.
    But sports was Ducky's passion. He was tough and strong. He loved the challenge and competition. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and bull riding. On the Maui High School football team, his positions was fullback or defensive end. He was also a member of the "Brothers" volleyball and "Jacks" basketball teams. When that ended he joined Coach Jimmy Fernandez and Alvin Inouye on the Maui Recap basketball and the old Makawao Guavas softball teams. He also played for the F&M Contractors baseball team.
    In 2003 the Guavas entered the Maui Seniors Softball League and Ducky became an assistant coach. Their win loss games were awful but their potlucks after the games were awesome.
    Thanks to Coach Ducky and Joanne the Guavas were well fed. Pots of cowboy stew, spareribs, shoyu chicken, plus cones and maki sushi were in abundance. Everyone loved their potato salad and their luau stew too.
    At the state tournament on Kauai, Ducky took ill but refused to seek medical attention. It was only when the team disembarked in Maui did they learn that their coach took ill and required assistance off the plane.
    Ducky's presence at the games thereafter, were sparse. But he always waited anxiously at home to hear the telephone ring and the report of the results of the game.
    On March 13, 2010, Coach Thomas "Ducky" Kauai passed away at his home in Pukalani from complications of heart failure.


"Gone but not Forgotten"