One of Kauai’s North Shore’s favorite sons passed away tragically late at night on Saturday, March 29th. Son of famed Kauai gentleman surfer Jimmy Lucas, Keoni was driving home late after work towards his Santa Monica, California home and fell asleep at the steering wheel. A memorial will be held Sunday morning at 11am at Point Dume State Beach, Westward Beach Road, Malibu, CA, Lifeguard Tower 1. His funeral will be held in Hawaii at a time still to be determined.
Lucas, a longtime surfer and sailboarder, was often pegged as a friendly, outgoing guy who was well respected throughout the Hawaiian surf community. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the film industry and was known to be a hard worker who always had a smile on his face and lived life to the fullest. He will be greatly missed.
(Source: Surfline)
39 responses so far ↓
1 winni // Apr 4, 2008 at 2:33 am
keoni was the consummate “gentle”man — sweet, cool, caring, loving and unassuming. the first time i saw him, he was 6 yrs old playing outside the anchorage restaurant in hanalei where his dad jimmy worked as a bartender…i got to know keoni bit by bit over the years. i enjoyed being in his presence, witnessing the affection between him and his sister maile. he will be greatly missed. heaven’s gain…our loss. sigh. rest in peace, keoni. love, winni
2 Michael Shiroma // Apr 4, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I met Keoni almost 15 years ago at the University of Hawai’i where we had screenwriting and acting classes together. I was happy when he moved to Los Angeles since I had already moved here from Hawai’i too. Because we both had hectic schedules in the industry we never had time to kick back together other than the many times we would see each other at 24 Hour Fitness Santa Monica working out, so we would talk story there. Keoni was a pure soul. His aloha shined even more than his light blue eyes. Keoni, I know you are surfing in heaven right now. I miss you more than you know. Aloha always and forever! Bruddah Mike
3 scottaRock // Apr 5, 2008 at 5:10 pm
It was a great pleasure meeting Keoni – I had the opportunity to share many laughs on the set and in particular, if ya ever heard Keoni mention his shoulder being soar, it’s from the multiple time I tossed him down the grassy front yard on the pee stains set… I found out by running into him at Costco fortuitously many months after the filming. He will forever remain a shining star, living in all of our hearts and mind. Much love & namaste Keoni ~ Scottie “scottaRock” Krupa aka “Big Dude” from Pee Stains & Other Disasters
4 Mark Jacobs // Apr 6, 2008 at 2:11 am
As a director, I always strive to find those operators that carry out the stoke, vibe and inspiration that clearly Keoni had and will continue to have eternally. My only selfish regret is that I didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy his talents as an camera operator/storyteller by my side. Keoni has clearly touched hundreds of people, my one life regret is that I never knew him. The reaction to his passing will forever inspire me to carry his legacy within myself as a person. God bless. I hope to know you when I arrive at those big gates!
5 Liloa Makinney Dunn // Apr 7, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Although, Keoni and I weren’t that close, he was family and every time we cruzed together he was always gracious and positive. The selfish part of me wishes he was still alive and that we could become more ma`a as hoa hanau – but God had bigger plans for a man with a big heart….one love…Rastafari Bless
6 terine // Apr 10, 2008 at 4:43 am
such a busy world that we dont take time for rest
lets rest at least once a month i know keoni would of agreed please rest take that day for yourselfs
7 Rocker // Apr 10, 2008 at 7:46 am
I heard some girls talking in Haena about a friend that passed. I didn’t know who it was until I saw the’ In Memory of Keoni Kai Lucas’ script at the end of a show we worked on together on Maui last year. I didn’t know him well but could see in his eyes he had soul. HA’ ALELE I KA LA KA MEA MAHANA- HE HAS LEFT THE WARMTH OF THE SUN.
8 Victoria Marinelli (previously Vikki Townsend) // Apr 11, 2008 at 5:16 am
Dammit. I hadn’t seen him in 20 years (graduated Kapa’a 1988, have barely been back for various reasons, though may make reunion – we’ll see), but I remember him well from the incredibly long bus trip to school from Haena/Hanalei. He and Lyon Hamilton gave me a lot of shit, actually – enough so that the memory stuck (and is in a book I’m writing), but it was good natured… we were all kids then, he and Lyon one year ahead of me. Of course we were teenagers, and therefore imagined ourselves to be immortal.
He had a wicked sense of humor and eyes that were almost otherworldly. You couldn’t help but admire him even if you weren’t in the same scenes (and, aside from the bus, he and I definitely weren’t).
I wish his family peace. This is so very sad.
9 Anachroclysmic » RIP Keoni Lucas // Apr 11, 2008 at 12:57 pm
[...] came some unfortunate news; our former classmate (though he was a year ahead of us) Keoni Lucas died recently in a car accident in Santa Monica, [...]
10 Rebecca n Keoni Kai // Apr 15, 2008 at 2:48 am
God Bless Keoni and his Family at this time… Aloha Nui Loa, Keoni … Until we meet again… Please advise services.. Mahalo from the Mainland
11 keoni lucas // Apr 20, 2008 at 8:59 am
[...] was driving home late after work towards his Santa Monica, California home and fell asleep at thttp://northshorekauai.com/2008/04/03/respected-kauai-local-keoni-lucas-dies-in-la-car-accident/Keoni Kai LucasCamera and Electrical Department: "The Next Great Champ". Visit IMDb for [...]
12 Fiona // Apr 21, 2008 at 7:14 am
Aloha nui loa Keoni, you truly embodied the aloha spirit. We miss you dearly. Peace and blessings to you and your Ohana. I’ll be out in the water catching waves for you, me ke aloha pumehana, a hui hou! xoxo Fiona
13 North Shore son remembered | North Shore Kauai // Apr 22, 2008 at 12:57 am
[...] 38, died in the early morning hours on March 30 in a single-car accident in Santa Monica, Calif. Lucas, who had been living in California working as a camera operator for [...]
14 Bonny Wilson Ponting // Apr 23, 2008 at 1:30 am
I was floored to hear that Keoni has left us. He represented all that was cool and beautiful about growing up on the North Shore of Kauai. Who could forget the three musketeers, Keoni, Lyon Hamilton and Paul Brian? And I will cherish always our 8th grade romance (brokered entirely by Lyon: “Keoni thinks your hot, you want to go with him?”). He was sweet, gentle,and shy, with a great sense of humor. The world has lost one of the good ones in you, Keoni. Peace to you, Peace to your family in this terrible time, you are missed. Bonny
15 davaunqa // Apr 30, 2008 at 2:10 am
i had a chance to meet keoni briefly in hawaii a few years ago, such a sweet and caring gentle person. he will be greatly missed across the globe, far and wide. God needed an angel, and that angel was you keoni. keep smiling as we all know you are
16 keoni kai lucas // Apr 30, 2008 at 3:01 am
[...] In Memory of keoni kai Lucas?? script at the end of a show we worked on together on Maui last year.http://northshorekauai.com/2008/04/03/respected-kauai-local-keoni-lucas-dies-in-la-car-accident/Welcome To The Stephanie Tubbs Jones Site – Democratic For The 11th …… couric Carnegie mellon [...]
17 Tweet // Apr 30, 2008 at 5:05 am
How was he involved in Hell’s Kitchen?
18 Lisa // Apr 30, 2008 at 5:08 am
I am sorry to hear this awful news and my heart goes out to his loved ones. I am curious though, I saw an”In Memory Of” message for him at the end of “Hells Kitchen”. Does anyone know why? Or how he was tied into this television show?
Once again, sorry to hear this sad news and peace be with his family.
19 Viva Las Vegas Gal // Apr 30, 2008 at 5:49 am
Keoni,
I don’t know you nor ever met you but I say your name in memory of…… You must have been a wonderful person and had a gift for life to have your name mentioned on national TV. You made a great inpact on people all over the world and maybe didn’t even know it. Thank you for all your sunshine and love you brought to this life and RIP in heaven, we will all meet you in time……x
20 kris // Apr 30, 2008 at 5:52 am
i was whach hell kitchen and seen he passon. im sorry for his family.maybe it his time to be with our lord a savours amen
21 Rex Herman // Apr 30, 2008 at 6:05 am
R.I.P Keoni Kai Lucas-CHILD OF GOD AND MY FRIEND!! Ihave never met anyone who had the Light of God in them like Keoni. I worked with Keoni and his father Jimmy at Duke’s Canoe Club for five years, after moving to Honolulu from Raleigh, NC. When I arrived I was an ignorant redneck (typical stupid “hoele boy”) Keoni truly taught me about ALOHA and changed me forever, by infusing my soul with mana. He showed me a better way of living and looking at life. He taught me that it’s not about taking yourself to a higher level of wealth or possesions, BUT TAKING ALL THOSE AROUND YOU TO A HIGHER LEVEL WITH FRIENDSHIP, COMPASSION, AND LOVE! ( what the Aloha Spirit is truly about). He never had a bad thing to say about anyone, and always made you happy to be in his presence. He would make you smile and laugh when you were sad, and always knew the right thing to say when you were frustrated or upset.I have never met such an inspirational man-AND I TRULY MEAN THAT. May peace be in your soul and with your family and friends. Heaven is made of souls like Keoni’s, and sometimes it is right here on Earth to shine on us for a brief time. You shined on me brother and I will take you with me the rest of my life-God Bless you and thank you. I miss you! your friend Rex
22 Dan Vasquez // Apr 30, 2008 at 7:07 am
I hired Keoni at Duke’s he was a young bright very friendly guy just like his father. I’m very sorry for the loss of a great person.
23 trey tomita-neeley // Apr 30, 2008 at 4:53 pm
i used to work with keoni at dukes a long time ago, and i remember many a nights the crew would go out and have fun… with keoni always lighting up a room. thank you for touching my life with your friendship. you will be missed everyday.
24 Kiss // May 1, 2008 at 1:01 am
(for those who asked)he was a camera man for the show Hell’s Kitchen.
RIP and my sincere sympathie to the family
25 keoni kai lucas // May 1, 2008 at 1:03 pm
[...] LA Car Accident … famed Kauai gentleman surfer Jimmy Lucas, keoni was driving home late after …http://northshorekauai.com/2008/04/03/respected-kauai-local-keoni-lucas-dies-in-la-car-accident/Twitter / Victoria Marinelli: RIP Keoni Kai Lucas: http:/…Twitter is a free social messaging [...]
26 Kevin Kitchen // May 2, 2008 at 12:26 am
He was a truly talented and gifted person and I am so very sorry to hear of his passing. May God bless all his friends and family with comfort.
27 Joe Carr // May 2, 2008 at 7:55 am
Stay Awake!
Drive Safe!
28 Nikki // May 3, 2008 at 1:50 am
This has brought tears to my eyes…
29 michelle // May 3, 2008 at 9:34 am
thats so sad i seen it on hell’s kitchen rip n to his folk i am sorry n i hope the best my love n heart go out to u guys
30 Tom Baird // May 6, 2008 at 2:57 pm
So sad to hear the news today, Keoni, his sister Maile, and his mother Michelle were my next door neighbors in Princeville. Michelle was our manager at the Beamreach Restaurant.
31 skip wright // May 13, 2008 at 11:48 pm
i remember when he was born ,never knew him as an adult but loved and respected his mom and dad, aloha hawaiian king aloha o.b. root
32 angie // May 16, 2008 at 12:11 pm
So so sad lots of prayer and love to everyone close with keoni. What a wonderful person to be taken to heaven so young.
33 Brandon Sher // May 19, 2008 at 2:38 am
Keoni was one of the coolest, most gentle, and kindest individuals I have ever encountered. When I was sixteen years old Keoni filmed my reality television show SWITCHED. The most enjoyable experience of the entire filming was hanging out and laughing with him. We stayed in touch over the years, and surprisingly enough, Keoni along with his friend visited my university of UF to film for their new show they were creating. Seeing Keoni 4 years after my first encounter was incredible. A few minutes ago I read about this tragedy. To Keoni I love you man..you are in a better place. I am forever grateful for meeting you. I’ll make you proud..aloha dude.
34 nicole facciuto // Jun 21, 2008 at 8:35 am
here i am…couldn’t sleep…mind racing. decided to tire myself by staring at the computer. i worked with keoni on “house wars”. what a sweet gentle soul. i found his name on the production list and immediately googled him with the hopes of reconnecting. now i sit here, mind still racing, saddened by the loss of a kind man. i knew him for a brief 3 weeks. what a delight. i am thankful to have known him…keoni, enjoy your next adventure my dear friend.
35 Kanoa Hough // Dec 19, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Keoni and I were great friends when we were younger on the j.r. tennis circut I played out of Lahaina. I still remember playing Keoni at the Civic and boy was it a match. I talked to him a couple times when he was at U.H. then more recent when he was in Maui doing some work for Mtv we ran into each other again. Keoni will all ways be a special friend to me and anyone he comes across. Bless you my friend untill we can talk of old times again. Kanoa Hough
36 Linnea Ross // Feb 13, 2009 at 9:28 pm
What a heartbreak! Was trying to send Keoni an e-mail and it wouldn’t go through. Googled his name and found out about the death. It’s almost a year later. He had been to my work a few times looking for Danish Modern Furniture and we talked. He made such an impression. I’d never forgot his beautiful eyes and was sending him a message to catch up. I’ll never see him walk in again or feel his soothing energy… so sad.
37 Ron N // Apr 10, 2009 at 6:36 pm
What a tragedy. I tried emailing him and the email got rejected. Googled his name and saw the sad news. I met Keoni in Bali 2 years ago. I was by myself looking for surf when I met him. He welcomed me to hang out with him and his friends for the rest of the trip. He showed me around Bali like I was one of his good friends. We went to all the best breaks, bars, and even a Bali ceremony. It was one of the best trips of my life. Keoni was one of the coolest guys I’ve met. Now he’s in God’s hands hopefully surfing perfect waves in heaven.
38 Hal Noble // May 24, 2009 at 5:24 am
I knew Keoni and his Dad Jimmy well. We windsurfed together at Diamond Head for quite a few years. I’ll remember him as a quiet, shy, but very caring soul. He was the nicest of guys, very talented in every aspect of ocean sports. He had just come over to Oahu from Maui when I met him. Jimmy was living at the family home in Aina Haina. I haven’t seen him in a few years and wondered what came of him. I just read this today and was shocked to learn of his passing. He will remain in my memory forever. Aloha Keoni.
39 Jaime // Sep 18, 2009 at 1:54 am
I am absolutely shocked to find this. I met Keoni a few years ago, instantly attracted to this blue-eyed gem (who couldn’t be?!), and have never, ever forgot him. We knew each other for a minute before we planned a spontaneous island adventure, checking out all the ancient sites we’d both been interested in uncovering. I’m so thankful for that weekend, and would never have guessed that would have been the last time I’d see him. Was just thinking of him today and thought I’d look him up to see what he’s been up to, and this is what I find. So heartbreaking. Rest in Peace Keoni, sending all my love and aloha to your family.
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