Wild, adventurous, helpful, fun, unforgettable
Kalalau, better known as Lau, was born in Waimea, Kauaʻi, and later grew up in Makaweli at “Camp 6” and Kekaha.
To sister Hanakapiaʻi, he was Kekaha’s best rubbish picker. He taught her how to scour the landfill for what they called “Mānā Gems” — a joke referencing one of the island’s only department stores. They had some incredible finds! Once Lau found four new skateboard wheels scattered in different areas. Excitedly, he raised them high, exclaiming, “Shooooots, still good da buggah!” Only cool kids knew how to skateboard, and play marbles, and, of course, Lau was great at both. He’d also bike down the mountain, with only his rubber slippers as brakes.
When he was eleven, his mother, Susie, moved with Lau and his younger sister and brother to Kilauea. It became his teenage stomping ground. There he, brother Benji, and his friends, the Kalihiwai Boys, forged lifelong friendships and made fond memories. It was also where his step-father, Norm, instilled a love for the ocean and surfing in Lau. Norm was a fun-loving, avid fisherman, and a near-perfect shot who could jury-rig anything and drive cars and bikes like nobody’s business.
Lau was proud of being Puerto Rican American and of his big, blended family’s accomplishments. His paternal grandfather, Pedro Rivera, was a Puerto Rican whaler who immigrated with his wife, Ramona, to Hawaiʻi in the 1800s. His maternal grandfather was a Superior Court Justice and WWII air force veteran & pilot, Floyd C. Dodson. Lau was as sharp as the legal minds in his lineage and continued the military tradition of his family by joining the army at nineteen. He was honorably discharged with an army service ribbon and expert marksmanship qualification badges for both rifle and grenade bars.
Of all Lau’s accomplishments, none of them resonated with him like studying nature. At Cuyamaca College and Santa Barbara City College, Lau studied arboriculture and horticulture, and he received his arborist certification from the International Society of Arboriculture in 2004. He became exceptional in his profession and an amazing climber. He had an eye for trimming, knew how to care for trees, and could manage every tool of the trade. Lau also had a deep sense of justice and never hesitated to reject jobs that mistreated people or improperly trimmed trees.
Kalalau first met Fern in 2000 and stole her heart. She cherished him more completely than anyone could. He was her first love, but they went their own ways in 2004 only to get back together 12 years later. She was the love of his life. They adored each other and built a life with their dog, TJ, and made travel plans.
Lau’s heart also belonged to his daughter, Kalia Fletcher, and son, Lakona Rivera. He hoped to be someone they could turn to for comfort, help, and fun throughout their lives. Lau also had thirty-nine nieces and nephews, and countless kids who looked up to him as an uncle.
Until COVID, Lau also worked weekends as security at Tahiti Nui restaurant in Hanalei. He loved his work family and was grateful for the opportunity, stability, and friendship they provided.
When he wasn’t working, he was training toward a purple belt in Ju-Jitsu and riding his street bike, relishing the sensation of the wind on his face and the road beneath his wheels.
Lau’s girlfriend, Fern Holland, provided the information for this narrative.
August 17, 1978-September 16, 2021–Age 43
Portrait Artist: Carol Meckling
Narrative Writer: Willow Kline
