I was with Kevin Mahelona, his oldest son, my oldest son and a friend which comprised of our golf team at the Enumclaw Chamber Golf Classic. Kevin’s oldest son made a hole-in-one on No. 17 to win a Ford Focus, perhaps it was a signal that Kevin had taught the future patriarch of his family everything he needed and that Kevin’s mission among us was soon to be finished. Recently Kevin’s youngest son married. All three of Kevin’s beautiful children are happily married, culminating in Kevin’s greatest desire in his life. The torch of life Kevin carried had been passed on to his capable, grown children. With his mission accomplished the lord saw fit to call Kevin home.
Kevin’s had the best smile of any one I have ever known. His honesty was refreshing. He was quiet but strong. He has served as a public servant on city council for 11 years. He was most recently our mayor pro teem. Kevin was the core of our council. I believe Kevin had the support of enough councilman to get done what he felt was in the best interest of our community. Kevin was also a leader in his church, most recently serving as a member of the Maple Valley Stake High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In every aspect, whether church, civic work or with family and friends, Kevin was a very good councilor.
Kevin also was an adviser in a tough campaign that I ran a year ago. He was a great support, and mentor, and friend in my run for public office. Without Kevin’s coaching, support and advice I would not have run for the local council Position 2. Kevin wanted me to run because he saw in me someone with a track record of helping local nonprofits, youth and underprivileged in our community. Kevin saw in my wife and I common community goals and values which he felt were important to benefit our community. He believed I could be a help with him and other counsel members in a common cause for good in our community.
Kevin is now gone from among us, and now the question is who will fill the void on our city council?
Every time I go to the Enumclaw Golf Course I will think of our day on the course together. I will think of Kevin’s genuine smile and the type of life he lived. The legacy and the good he has left with his family and for our community.
In his son’s eulogy of his father, he passed on to the congregation one of the lessons Kevin taught his son. When the Mahelona father and son would go surfing in Hawaii, the father taught his son to hit the big 10-foot waves right in the center. Dive into the wave. And you will come out OK on the other side. The lesson being, when you are faced with a challenge, meet it strait on. A lesson well worth remembering.
Kevin did not fear death. Knowing of his likely impending fate, Kevin told his eldest son, “If God wants my life he can have it. I am ready to do his will.”
The council will take applications in the next 90 days from Enumclaw residents and the majority of the council will approve a new city councilman. Kevin’s shoes are big ones to fill. I hope we can find someone that had the same passion for our community and the ability to bring our city council together the “Mahelona Way.”
Kevin Mahelona, please know that you are loved by many.
Darrel Dickson
Enumclaw
