Spring 2009 - Issue 5

The Silversword: Home > Chaminade Life > Adored Priest Says Aloha

Adored Priest Says Aloha

Angel Orozco, Staff Writer

Father Ken, one of Chaminade’s most well-known staff members, will be retiring at the end of this semester. He will use his free time to try to build a community for active retirees. Don’t worry though, he will still be around Chaminade.

Its official. This will be Fr. Ken Templin’s last semester here at Chaminade. He will retire in May as part of the official ministry staff here at Chaminade. Fr. Ken, who turns 69 years old in July, is also celebrating fifty years in the Marianist Community this year.

Fr. Ken has been employed with Chaminade for six years full time. In his first three years he was director of Campus Ministries and for the past three years as Pastoral Campus Minister.

Senior Joseph Powmai says, “Fr. Ken is the crazy, funny yet wise grandfather of the Chaminade Ohana.”

Now for those who fear they will never see him again do not fret. Fr. Ken is retiring from the Chaminade staff not from Chaminade. He will remain on campus at Hale Malia and plans to visit the campus often.

“Fr. Ken represents unconditional love and is a raging extravert whose always outta control…but in a good way,” says graduate student Lita Nia.

When Fr. Ken is not on campus, he and other brothers plan to build a community for active retirees like Fr. Ken. When he officially retires he plans to live out the rest of his days here in Hawaii.

Asked to describe Fr. Ken, Margaret Uiagalelei says, “You are the light of my life and I love you unconditionally,” which is one of Fr. Ken’s favorite quotes.

Fr. Kens last official days will be this springs graduation ceremonies in May, including the Baccalaureate Mass and Spring Commencement.

Senior business administrations major, Kristen Lewis describes Fr. Ken as, “Charismatic, caring, loving, fun, spiritual, down to earth and young at heart.”

Near the end of the interview Fr. Ken said, characteristically, “I still don’t know what I wanna be if I grow up.”