By For those that haven’t heard already Kalani O’Sullivan has unfortunately passed away on February 18, 2010 due to complications with pneumonia.
I have been waiting for some time to pass before posting about this, but felt a month after his death was an appropriate time to remember Kalani. Many ROK Drop readers may remember Kalani as a guest contributor on this site that provided great historical postings about Kunsan and Osan Air Force Bases. Kalani also maintained his fantastic site Kanaka in Korea that is filled with great Korea related information. Much of the information Kalani used for his postings was gathered from talking to both US veterans and Korean business owners over the years. The insights from his interviews along with Kalani’s own personal knowledge from living for many years in Korea always made for interesting reading. Fortunately his daughter plans on keeping the webpage up in memory of her father, which I was glad to hear.
I first met up with Kalani a year and half ago and took a walking tour with him of Songtan. His knowledge of all the changes in Songtan over the years was truly impressive and really caused me to look at Songtan in a different way. I also found him to be a very kind man that loved his wife and daughter very much. Kalani will surely be missed by all who knew him and I wish his family well as they go through this difficult time. Rest in Peace Kalani.
3:50 am on March 18th, 2010 1
R I P
4:19 am on March 18th, 2010 2
I didn't really know him, but his name was very familiar in different forums I'd read, and I had interacted with him briefly on a few occasions. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy. It's so sad to see him go so early.
Requiescat in pace, Mr O'Sullivan.
5:21 am on March 18th, 2010 3
I have read and enjoyed his postings. Many were informational and useful; a true service to the expat community and the active duty member alike. All I can say, with a great deal of respect, is "Good Night Funny Man!" …and I'll see you in hell.
8:00 am on March 18th, 2010 4
R I P
9:02 am on March 18th, 2010 5
I always enjoyed going to his site – and, I am almost sure, he outbid me several times for material on ebay. May he rest in peace – will miss him.
11:45 am on March 18th, 2010 6
I also found his site loaded with historic information about Korea from the War, up through each phase of troop reductions.
RIP
1:34 pm on March 18th, 2010 7
Aloha no kako braddah
Maui
6:17 pm on March 18th, 2010 8
As one of those who has lived in Korea for periods over the years, but have never taken the time to take a picture or document events, his site is a treasure.
Memories reaffirmed.
I will be forever grateful to him and his family that gave him the support to do what he did.
R I P
8:54 am on March 19th, 2010 9
Rest Well Brother.
9:31 am on March 19th, 2010 10
I too got an e-mail fom his daughter telling of his passing. He did the people of Korea and the American serviceman a great favor with his web site. Glad to hear his daughter will continue. Gods Speed Kalani
3:32 am on April 9th, 2010 11
I am sure that all of the veterans who were associated with Osan AB (K-55) and Kunsan AB (K-8), who contributed information to his web site will miss this great keeper of history of those air bases and adjacent communities. I had the pleasure of meeting and breaking bread with this man and his family in Sept 2005, while on a nostalgic return trip to Korea in search of my old 2nd Radio Relay Sq sites, Paris and Rickey. I owe a great debt of gratitude to Kalani for all of his faithful assistance in compiling the unit history of my old squadron, particularly with respect to Osan AB. Thank you Kalani and may you rest in eternal peace. Bob Furrer, Major USAF (Ret.) Korea Aug '54 – Jul '55.
5:16 am on April 11th, 2010 12
Kalani was a treasure who I only met once very briefly in Hawaii at his parents home, but we had a tremendous friendship online. He was the only one that could keep up with my prolific correspondence and he was my pal that I shall sorely miss. How tragic to all of us, our premature loss of his talents and friendship. He was a great husband, father, friend to all, especially veterans, teacher, brother, lover of his native Hawaii & their culture, and human being. Until we meet again my friend. Aloha Judy (Mililani)
9:28 am on April 19th, 2010 13
All of us in the 90th Bomb Sqdn (Korea) are saddened at the news of Kalani's passing. He was an honorary member of our organization. We have had links to Kalani's "How It Was" site since the inception of our own to which he contributed many suggestions and ideas.
3:47 pm on April 27th, 2010 14
I got shock and can not believe with his dead.
He was at my store a while ago and he usually show me his documents to ask my opinions.
He is the man who wrote about Songtan city and the Osan Air Base very clearly and provide good informations and advertised the City of Songtan and the Osan Air Base for many years.
We really sorry to lost wonderful Historian like KALANI O'Sullivan.
Some one has to replace his works for the Osan AB and Songtan Community. Please REST WELL in the heaven.
Kasey Lee
President, Songtan Republic.
6:01 pm on April 28th, 2010 15
I tried to get to his website tonite, after recommending it to another AF retiree that was at Kunsan and found that the “domain kalaniosullivan.com has expired”. Does anyone know there is another website that his daughter is “keeping up”? I had posted many pix and a bit of info about K-8 during 1954.
I’ve often wondered how he ever managed all the information & pix that he put on his site. Unbelievable!! Rest well, Kalani!!! Pat (TSgt USAF ret ’72)
11:20 pm on June 14th, 2010 16
although I never met Kalani and only corresponded once or twice. I enjoyed strolling through his web site. his memories were like own, tho maybe less soju influenced. Phil, (Msgt USAF RET) Osan AB 76-77
4:10 am on August 31st, 2010 17
I visited and posted to his site many times and am disappointed to find it is no longer there. Anyone who might know where the site exists, please let me know allendoe@aol.com
5:18 am on August 31st, 2010 18
Maybe someone could petition the family to turn his archived files over to an enduring Korean organization, like the RAO or VFW.
9:16 am on August 31st, 2010 19
It may no longer exist. Kinda short sighted.
11:55 pm on September 10th, 2010 20
Just learned of Kalani's passing. I sent photo's and info to him over the years for the 8th Sqdn. His passing is a terrible loss to the vets and his family. I'm glad to hear that his daughter is carrying on his work. I do have the WW2 site url and it does work.
http://8thattacksqdnassoc.tripod.com/WWII.html
Most sincerest condolences to the family,
Bill
5:47 am on December 22nd, 2010 21
I just discovered his web sight and tried to email then learned of his passing, what a loss. I regret that I never met him he brought back memories K-8 and Johnson as I belong to the 90th from Nov. 58 until Nov.60 and would have loved sharing stories and pictures. Rest in peace Kalani, you did well, and gave to many fond memories of life and youth in their desire to serve. Sleep well Kalani, sleep well.
5:52 am on December 22nd, 2010 22
I agreee that you may use my comments.
11:53 am on January 25th, 2011 23
Ref Kalani O'Sullivan website…Osan AB
I was @ K-55 in 1953 TDY from 2nd Radio Relay Sq in Seoul..I arr in Nov and dep in Dec 53 on rotation. I patrolled Hill 180 during my time there and guarded 3
prisoners in the so-called "Stockade" there, a "Quonset"
Hill 180 was under initial construction at that time. I was with the 2nd Radio Relay Sq of the 5th Comm Group then…Hqtrs was the now "Korean University" with the German castle on site at that time….I recently heard from a "buddy" who I served with 58 years ago this month
yesterday…We spoke of Korea at that time of our 1953 tour in Seoul and him at Taegu….RIP Kalani….
11:08 pm on April 23rd, 2011 24
I just found out about Kalani's passing.I will miss you my friend.I gave Kalani lots of input on my days at the Kun., 68-69.
1:23 am on April 24th, 2011 25
Still trying to find the web site that Kalani's daughter is maintaining. It would be a shame if all of that treasure of information was gone for good. If anyone knows of the whereabouts of this web site, please pass along to allendoe@aol.com , thank you.
8:11 am on April 24th, 2011 26
If anyone is able to contact her, let her know that if she doesn't have the time or the resources to maintain it, she might consider releasing the archives to a trusted organization like one of the Korean area VFW's. They should be able to get some volunteers to keep it going.
11:34 am on December 31st, 2011 27
any updates as to what will happen to the blog? anyone hear back from the sister?
i am also willing to help keep it going.
joelbuxton[at]gmail[dot]com
5:36 pm on January 21st, 2012 28
Kalani O’Sullivan and his website on Kunsan and how it used to be, is the only outlet I trusted when I was stationed at Kunsan from 2004 – 2005. Anything that USFK, the Air Force, or the 8 Fighter Wing told us as “official” media, I distrusted instantly, and waited to hear the real answer from Kalani. I even wrote him once, thanking him for telling it the way it truly is/was at that time, and was happy when he replied. It makes me wish I still had that e-mail. A nobleman and a true Patriot died when he passed….
6:02 pm on January 21st, 2012 29
Just learning this now. Never met the man but I feel like I lost an old friend. Rest in peace.