J. Kaipo aka “Coach” Jenkins passed away on October 25th, 2022 at the age of 62. He was born on April 21 1960 to parents Jack Jenkins of North Carolina and Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins of Hawaii Island. He was raised in Waialua on the North Shore of O’ahu where he grew up body surfing, fishing, and playing sports. After graduating from Kamehameha Schools Kapalama in 1978, Kaipo furthered his Education at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon with a focus in Physical Education.

It was on Maui where he began his 30+ year teaching career working at Kihei school, and Lokelani Intermediate as a PE teacher. He also taught at Waialua High School, was the Vice Principal at Wailuku Elementary, and spent the majority of his teaching years at Iao Intermediate, where he retired in 2019.

Mr. Jenkins helped mold the lives of thousands of youth throughout his time with us. He was an accomplished coach and mentor, and served as head coach of both mens and women’s basketball teams at various schools throughout Maui such as Baldwin, Saint Anthony, Seabury, and Kamehameha. The family is humbled by the countless stories of how Mr. Jenkins helped shape their lives for the better. He inspired them to live up to their highest potential, while incorporating Hawaiian values and work ethic in the life-lessons he taught.

You might have met Kaipo working the door at Casanovas in Makawao where he was the head bouncer there for many years. A faithful Minnesota Vikings fan, and a talented artist, he incorporated those passions by creating wood-burned art pieces of your favorite sports teams which were often gifted to friends and strangers alike. His beautiful wood-burned konane boards, plaques and ko’oko’o have been showcased in local shops throughout Hawai’i.

A pillar in the community, he always saw the good in others. Every person in the world was just a friend he hadn’t met yet. A proud dad to his 4 children, Anuhea, Jordan, Kawehi and Michael, and grandpa to his 3 grandchildren, he was looking forward to making so many more memories with us and will be missed forever.

His celebration of life will be held on Saturday January 21st at the Maui Beach Hotel Ballroom from 10:30am-1pm. The family asks you to visit his memorial website www.alohathyself.com, where you can RSVP to the celebration, share any stories, memories or pictures of Kaipo Jenkins, and to donate to a scholarship foundation in his honor.

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