Daddy’s Story
Daddy was born Herbert Kalani Padello January 22nd 1938 in Honolulu Hawaii. He was the son of Rollen Dominado Padello and Annie Miranda Padello. He was the grandson of Anacalito Padilla and Victoria Padilla. His brothers and sisters include Victoria, Raymond, Lorraine, Rodney, Wallace, Warren, and Patrick. Sadly, Daddy is preceded by his parents and both sisters. The family moved around a bit, and for a time lived in Kauai at Koloa and Hanapepe. But they eventually settled in a house in Kalihi Valley.
Daddy went to Farrington High school where he was in the drama club and played the Baritone horn for the Farrington Governors. Daddy told Mommy that he also played the baritone horn for the Salvation Army band. Uncle Rodney said that Daddy was active with the Civil Air Patrol and had aspirations of joining the Air Force. However, while in high school, Daddy joined the Marine reserves instead. He always said that being in the Marine Reserves reinforced his decision to join the Air Force. Daddy graduated from Farrington high school in 1956 and enlisted in the Air Force that following September. Daddy and Mommy met the summer of 1958. It was love at first sight. In 1960 Daddy had the opportunity to re-enlist and be stationed in Spain, but he decided he wanted to be near Mom, so he chose to be discharged from the Air Force on November 16, 1960. After discharge, Dad got a job in the woods working as a lumberjack. He also worked as a machine operator in the lumber mill. I remember Daddy always saying that he had respect for those lumberjacks because they worked so hard. Daddy and Mommy were married on September 23, 1961 in Sweet Home Oregon where Vickie, Donna and Rollie were born. During that time Daddy wanted to continue his education. He did take a couple of electronic courses; however he longed to be with his family in Hawaii. He and mommy decided it was time to make the big move. They arrived in Hawaii on June 29, 1966. With the need to provide for his family, Daddy worked odd jobs such as; building pallets and driving produce trucks.
Within six month of arriving back in Hawaii, Daddy was able to get a full time job with the Hawaii Air National Guard working as an Air Traffic Control Technician at the 169th AC&W Squadron. We have many fond memories of Daddy working at the Wheeler AAF unit. Daddy had so much respect for the 169th that he talked me into being a part of the unit. He talked Vickie into joining and she is still working for the ANG. I’m pretty sure Rollie joined the Navy because of Daddy and he also talked Angel and Shavannah into joining the Guard. In fact, he almost had Precious and Falynn join too. He was so handsome in that uniform. He brought us to family picnics, Christmas parties, and Squadron luaus. Daddy actually played music during one or two of those luaus. It was fun listening to his music and dancing hula for him.
Daddy had plans to use the GI Bill and attend the University of Hawaii. When I spoke to Uncle Rodney, he said Daddy was a stickler for studying, a stickler for details, for getting things correct. Uncle said Daddy always tried his best, he was always positive. During his enlistment with the Guard, he graduated from Leeward Community College as an Associate of Liberal Arts. He continued on to the University of Hawaii majoring in Music. He retired from the Air National Guard on January 2, 1994 at which time he received full Air Force and Civil Service retirement.
In 1975 Daddy and Mommy bought a house in Waianae at Ulu Wehi. And so began our love affair with the Waianae coast. Daddy was a Makaha Beach boy, Na Keiki O Ka Mo’i canoe club paddler, avid golfer, fisherman, and Hawaiian music musician.
Actually Daddy played lots of different kinds of music. My favorite song he plays is Long Tall Texan, Uncle Rodney says; “When he’s feeling good and at his happiest, that’s when that song comes out.”
He played music with Uncle Del, Uncle Clayton, Uncle Robin, Uncle Sam, Daryl, Tubby, Auntie Nettie, Auntie Momi, Auntie Lei, Auntie Bebe, Auntie Alkai, and many others. He loved it when he got to sit in and play music with Uncle Andy (Simplicity). Uncle Mondo didn’t really play music but he was always there and was their biggest fan.
Mommy and Daddy moved to Las Vegas in 2005 where they eventually bought a house at Mountains Edge and settled in. Daddy is survived by our Mother, Dixie and his children Vickie, Donna, Rollie, Lynette, Keely and Mark. He is also survived by 30 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
