Norman Allen Kaluhiokalani's Obituary
Norman Allen Kaluhiokalani passed away on 11 September 2025 in Kaneohe, O‘ahu,
Hawai‘i. He was 82. Born on 10 December 1942 in Honolulu to Keoho (Sam Colgate)
Kaluhiokalani and Beulah Jean Conley, Norman was raised by his stepfather Cirilo Ramil
and attended Castle High School (class of 1961). He joined the US Navy (1961-1967),
serving in the Pacific fleet. He attended the University of Washington, the University of
Hawai‘i, and Church College of Hawai‘i, where he earned a bachelor of science degree
(1969, cum laude with honors). It was while attending CCH that he met Laverne Itsuyo
Murakami, and they married in the LDS Hawaii temple in Lā‘ie on 26 July 1969.
Shortly after their wedding, Norman and Laverne moved to Provo, Utah, where in one year
Norman completed a master’s degree in physical education at Brigham Young University—
Provo (1970). He would later earn his doctorate in education (EdD) in 1975, also from BYUProvo. From 1981 to 1982, he and his family lived Columbus, Ohio, where Norman
conducted postdoctoral research at The Ohio State University.
He began his professional career at Ka‘u High School in 1971, then in 1972 he accepted a
professorship at CCH, which became Brigham Young University—Hawai‘i in 1974, where
he would teach until his retirement in 2015. He was a member of the Physical Education
Department, and his administrative roles included department chair, athletic director, and
associate dean. Familiarly known as “Coach K” around campus, Norman was an
unwavering advocate for physical fitness as a lifelong pursuit. In 2009, he received the
Exemplary Faculty Award “for exceptional services rendered to the students of the
University.”
Norman was a dedicated and respected coach of rugby, soccer, and both men’s and
women’s cross country for BYU-H athletics. For his work, he was recognized with numerous
accolades, including NAIA District 29 Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1984, 1985, 1986,
1987,1988, and 1989; the Hawaiʻi Intercollegiate Athletics Conference’s Coach of the Year
for women’s cross country in 1996 and 1999, the HIAC’s men’s cross country Coach of the
Year in 1999; the PacWest’s award for Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2010, and
the PacWest’s Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. In
addition, he coached the youth in the community, including soccer, basketball, and
baseball.
Throughout his life, he was an avid supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. For many years
he volunteered as a scoutmaster and guided numerous Eagle Scout projects to successful
completion, for which he was awarded the Silver Beaver, one of Scouting’s highest honors.
Foremost, Norman was a committed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, and he served as bishop on two occasions and later as a high councilman.
He is survived by Laverne, his wife of 56 years, his children Kekoa, Kaleo, Ku‘ulei, Kanoe,
and Kapono, and his grandchildren Leilani, Talanoa, Malia, Nawai, Logan Toa, Netina,
Anela, and Ainsley.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, 26 September 2025, at the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints meeting house located at 55-630 Naniloa Loop (back chapel), Lā‘ie,
Hawai‘i, 96762. Viewing hours are 930-1130AM, followed by the funeral at 1200-100PM
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