A Hui Hou Manny Domen

By the Domen ‘Ohana

For 46 years Manny Domen has been in Kaupō clearing the land, building rock walls, planting trees and gardens, and caring for his five children along with additional nieces and nephews, numerous hānai kids, and people of all ages.

For all these years he has assisted his wife Linda in running the Kaupō General Store, plus working part time landscaping in Kīpahulu.

Manny was known as a funny guy. He had a great sense of humor and loved to make people laugh, make up original jokes, and have fun with word play and rhyming things.

He was not interested at all in what to wear or how he looked. He knew it was the hidden man of the heart that was of value. He would say of himself that he was “a man of few words” but he never tired of telling anyone about the amazing wonderful gift of eternal life and the Kingdom to come that Jesus has to offer.

In contrast to his otherwise quiet nature, he often would not hesitate to tell someone just how he felt about a topic, whether in our community meetings or in personal conversations. He would plainly speak the truth in love, to the point with no frills. Manny was a very unique person—he didn’t just meet people, he impacted people.

If Manny were here now, he would tell you to “Imua ke Akua”— go forward with God. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not promised, so live in the moment—or, in regular terms, “ no worry beef curry.” It’s such a gift, that’s why it’s called “the present.”

Many years ago, when the old Kaupō School building was in jeopardy of complete loss, Manny was head of the original restoration project, working every single weekend, taking a year to restore the building to safe use.

Many Domen

Domen 'Ohna

He was known for his helpfulness. He was the type of person that if asked for kōkua you could count on him to follow through and stick with it until the need was filled.

He referred to himself as a ‘jack of all trades and master of none.’ He was very skilled in all the basic needs. Whether it be mechanics or carpentry, plumbing or pruning, he could fix anything.

One of the many things missed is Manny’s unconditional love for everyone, his spontaneous jokes and laughter, and his deep wisdom of God through Christ Jesus.

Rest in Love forever Manuel Leroy Domen, born November 10, 1945, and passed away into Life February 18, 2022. A Kaupō legend.

Imua ke Akua