Scout leader recovering from operation on O‘ahu

Kaipo Kealalio, district executive with the Boy Scouts of America on Kaua‘i and a coach of many sports teams, is at The Queen’s Medical Center recovering from illness and surgery.

A group of his friends, calling themselves Friends of Kaipo, have been tracking his recovery, planning fund-raisers, continuing to carry on his Scouting work on Kaua‘i, and encouraging others to send him get-well cards.

It all started when people were wondering why they hadn’t seen Kealalio for several months after a gala roast of him at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club.

During his two decades on Kaua‘i, he has led a resurgence in Boy Scouting that has seen the numbers both of boys and adult volunteers in the organization grow.

Along the way, he has coached soccer, volleyball and football at youth and high-school levels.

A Vietnam veteran, he was also active in the Rotary Club of Kapaa, getting youngsters involved in that club’s annual fund-raiser, Taste of Hawaii, at Smith’s Tropical Paradise.

After a March operation, he is confined at Queen’s so he can regain his strength. Members of Friends of Kaipo want to let anyone interested to send cards to “let them (Kaipo and wife Joan Kealalio) know that we miss them and love them, and look forward to being around them and playing, working and learning with them by patiently waiting, because we know it’s gonna take time to heal so Uncle Kaipo and Aunty Joan can come home.

The friends said “We can all help his recovery by:

• “Thinking positive thoughts so he can feel them too;
• “Sending him our smiles, because whenever we think of him, he brings smiles to our faces’
• “Visiting him or sending get-well cards to:” Godfrey Kaipo Kealalio, Queen’s Medical Center, 1301 Punchbowl St., Honolulu, HI 96813;
• Mailing donations to Friends of Kaipo, 4007 Mapu Pl., Lihu‘e, HI 96766;
• Staying tuned for fund-raisers in the months to come.