Teves is survived by sons, David Teves, of Hilo, Ehukai Teves, of Hawaiian Acres, Puuloa (Martha) Teves, of Lihue, Kauai, and Kamalei (Leeann) Teves, of Kapolei, Oahu; sister, Blanche Quintal, of Honolulu; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one niece; numerous cousins.
BY CHELSEA JENSEN
WEST HAWAII TODAY
cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com
Kahu Harold Herbert Puuloa Teves, a community-oriented man known for his ministerial work in West Hawaii, died Dec. 4. He was 80.
Teves, who was born July 14, 1931, in Honolulu, was known for his work as kahu of the Kahikolu Congregational Church, in Napoopoo, and Kauahaao Congregational Church in Waiohinu, and founder and kahu of the Kahuku Congregational Church in Ocean View, said his eldest son, David Teves, who resides in Hilo. He was also a volunteer police chaplain who spent time with officers in the Hilo and Ka’u areas.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Leinaala Teves, who died Aug. 18.
“He was a community-oriented man who had great leadership skills and was able to take a church and rebuild it,” said Kahu Wendell Davis, who became kahu of Kahikolu Congregational Church upon Teves’ departure in the mid-1990s. Wendell said Teves’ work between 1986 and 1996 helped resurrect the church and move it into the new era.
Ka’u District Police Capt. Andrew Burian remembered Teves as a “fixture” and a “real good guy.” Burian, who’s been commander of the district for nearly four years, said Teves volunteered his time, visiting the station and talking to officers every couple weeks without being summoned for chaplain duties.
“It’s a loss for us because if there was something going on he was a great listener, a great ear for us,” Burian said, noting Teves would often ride in uniform with on-duty patrol officers. “He was just a real good-hearted guy who’s done a lot in his life.”
Teves was also a member of the Jason T. Woodworth Big Island Chapter 43 Special Forces Association, a retired Army master sergeant E-8, a Korean War and Vietnam War veteran, a medic, former Green Beret and recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Services are planned for 9 a.m. Jan. 28 at Pukaana Congregational Church at 85-4521 Hawaii Belt Road in Kealia for a 10 a.m. service. Friends may also call at 9 a.m. Jan. 30 at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery for inurnment.
Teves is survived by sons, David Teves, of Hilo, Ehukai Teves, of Hawaiian Acres, Puuloa (Martha) Teves, of Lihue, Kauai, and Kamalei (Leeann) Teves, of Kapolei, Oahu; sister, Blanche Quintal, of Honolulu; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one niece; numerous cousins.