Keenan Kanahele

Keenan Kanahele, a beloved son of God and deeply loved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend passed away peacefully on September 16, 2026, in Pleasant Grove, Utah, at the age of 63.

Keenan was born on March 23, 1963, in Kahuku, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, to Joseph Kanahele, Sr. and Yolanthy Foua Thompson Kanahele. Raised with a deep love for his family and his heritage, Keenan carried the warmth and spirit of “Aloha” with him throughout his entire life.

On February 3, 1987, Keenan began a beautiful lifelong journey with his eternal companion, Eugenia Naomi Rowe. They were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together, they have built a marriage founded on faith in God, devotion, and unconditional love. They created a beautiful family rearing six amazing children who are the pride and joy of Keenan’s life.

Keenan’s greatest legacy is his family. He is survived by his devoted wife, Jeannie; his six children, Jane (Havea), Whitney (Colin), Joseph (Shelby), Rachel, Keenan (Agnes), and Bruce (Neri); and his eight intelligent, amazing, beautiful grandchildren, Zoee, Kemmri, Dallas, Lala, Leo, Nia, Taitane, and Riggs; each of whom brought joy and happiness into Keenan’s life; and his beautiful sisters, Lani Snow, Jolene Keliiliki, and Tina Ishibashi. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Jeniel; his brother, Joseph; and countless loved ones.

Keenan loved his childhood home. Keenan's version of ‘Waialua Sky’ by The Fabulous Krush, which he changed to ‘Laie Sky’ beautifully reflects his treasured childhood memories of growing up on the North Shore of Oahu. The lyrics describe the warmth of his family, the comfort of food, and the realization of growing up and leaving home. These island memories, and the simple life he experienced continued to give him strength and reassurance of who he was and where he came from.

“In the night, an island rain, brought to mind an old familiar scene, long forgotten now.

Quickly time just passes by only all too soon, the years can fly, here to find I've grown.

And now, that I'm on my own, gone from my family. I think of all the simple things.

Like the sound of falling rain, beneath Laie Sky.

Lately now, my thoughts have been turning to a place where I was born with memories so warm.

It's been awhile that I've been gone many things have changed, how well I know;

that nothing stays the same.

Though I know I must go on, to where my life will lead.

Often I will think of days when I just would laugh and play beneath Laie Sky.

Long before I ever knew where to go or what to do.

I had a way of life I know will always see me through.

Here and now grown a man learning through my heart to understand what will be my goal.

A quiet night, and island rain, takes me to a child again beneath Laie Sky.”

Looking back on Keenan’s life, we are celebrating a man blessed with truly remarkable talents. Many who were fortunate to hear his beautiful rich singing voice or learn under his tutelage came to know immediately of Keenan’s God-given natural musical abilities—gifts that could fill a room with peace and love and lighten and comfort a heart seeking refuge.

Keenan was also known for his physical strength, his athleticism, and his vibrant energy. Everything Keenan engaged in he did with passion and love.

However, as impressive as these talents were, those of us who knew Keenan best knows that his absolute greatest gift did not come from his voice or his physical strength; it came from his heart. Keenan’s gift to love and forgive unconditionally has been a true example for all of us.

Throughout his life, he has made a conscious effort to strive to see others the way the Savior would see them, and to strive to love as the Savior loved. Many have felt this firsthand. Keenan had a massive, undeniable love for every person he met. While we feel his absence deeply, we celebrate the incredible, lasting gift of his love.

Keenan was someone with a good sense of humor, a competitive spirit, a vibrant personality, and a deeply generous heart.

Keenan loved good food, and throughout the years he learned to broaden his palate to a variety of ethnic and comfort foods, even vegetables. He would often jest that he was allergic to vegetables, and that they were ‘nice decorations. Ironically, however, one of his last meals was something he ordinarily wouldn’t have chosen– a salad.

What resonates most about Keenan is his thoughtful kindness. In a world where others often look only to their own needs, Keenan's willingness to go without to ensure that a hungry neighbor, friend, or stranger was fed, was one of Keenan’s admirable qualities. He understood that food wasn’t merely about sustenance; that it was a way to bring people together, to show love, and to share meaningful relationships. Keenan attributed this quality to his father’s example. He would often share how he would see his dad help and give to others, even when he knew his dad would be giving his last dollar. Keenan didn’t realize until later in life how much his dad sacrificed for him. As a young boy, whenever his dad would take him anywhere, he always made sure that Keenan was able to eat anything he wanted. He noticed, though, that at times his dad would not eat. In recalling these times, he realized that his dad may not have had money to join him. His father’s example of love for him and for others taught Keenan how much his dad strove to live like the Savior in so many ways. Keenan would always express his love for his dad, and how he desired to see him again. To Keenan, his dad was his hero.

Throughout Keenan’s life he served our Heavenly Father in many capacities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Keenan and Jeannie often spoke of a time that possibly they would be able to serve together as missionary companions and perhaps would be called to Samoa where Keenan served a full-time mission early in his life. However, their lives were guided in a different direction. They both were so excited and grateful when they were called to serve together–Keenan as Stake Patriarch, and Jeannie as Scribe; in the Pleasant Grove Utah West Stake. Their lives were truly blessed.

Keenan loved to bear his testimony of his knowledge and love for our Heavenly Father, and our Savior, Jesus Christ, and his gratitude for the guidance of the Holy Ghost in his life. Keenan felt that one of the most important works he could do for others was to share his testimony, that they too, would desire to come unto Christ. The passage of scripture found in Matthew 22:36-40 has come to be Keenan’s guide for living. Of all the words of Christ, these verses, Keenan believed, were the foundation that would guide all to truly strive to know and love God, to love one another, and to forgive one another.

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Warmest Aloha. Alofa Atu.

A memorial service will be held in Keenan's honor on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 10:00am in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 56 South 1300 West, Pleasant Grove, Utah 84062.

Condolences may be sent to the family at olpinmortuary.com