James Keoua Kaneakua Jr. of Wailua, Kauai, passed away peacefully at home on October 26, 2026, at the age of 97. He was born in Lihue, Kauai, on April 2, 1929. He was a veteran of the United States Army and retired as a stevedore with the U.S. Army on Oahu and later as a bus driver for Smith’s on Kauai.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 72 years, Beverly Joy Leilani Apao Kaneakua; his parents, James Ne‘e‘ne‘epua‘ilihau Kaneakua and Louise Keali‘ikalepa O Kololou O Nalalaniali‘i O Kamehameha Kaha‘ule Kamanuwai Kaneakua; his son, Jimmy Boy Kaneakua; his daughter, Momi Kaneakua; his grandson, Dustin Kaina Kaneakua; his brothers, Henry (Odetta Minder) Kaneakua and William (Anita) Kaneakua; and his sisters, Pauline (Milton) Wise, Eloise (Ding) Oclit, Adeline Kaneakua, and Helene Kaneakua.

James is survived by his sons, David (Mita) Kaneakua of Wailua and Wesric (Andrea) Kaneakua of Wailua.

He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren: Alyssa (Hanson Hsu) Kaneakua, Shiloh (Mahea) Kaneakua, DJ Kaneakua, Wesric Kaneakua Jr., Cherina (Tony Laborte) Medeiros, Dayne Kaneakua, Kaliha Kaneakua, Devin Kaneakua, Raylene Rivera-Alesna, and Rylan Rivera-Alesna; his 23 great-grandchildren: Bryce Dato, Kyven Dato, Sabryn Dato, Macyn Dato, Kaeson Hsu, Hailey Hsu, Kolton Hsu, Shiloh Louis Kaneakua, Alissa Kaneakua, S'hirus Kaneakua, Urijah Kaneakua, Laveya Ann Kaneakua, Chayse Garcia, Niko Laborte, Cheylee Laborte, Khloe Laborte, Taylor Hi'ilani Inoshita, Mia Inoshita-Kaneakua, Drayden Kaneakua, Dustin Kaneakua, Zanden Montero, Diamyn Kaneakua, and Dream Kaneakua; his 4 great-great-grandchildren: Zayden Dato, Kahilena Kaneakua-Dabin, Makaiwa Kaneakua-Dabin, and Alea Ragraola-Kaneakua; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family.