Passages

Northshore legend Babe Chun dies at age 70

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 August, 2006 : - - Funeral services will be held this weekend for a boisterous, beloved man who was a larger-than-life figure in Haleiwa town. His name was John Chun but everybody called him by his childhood nickname "Babe." He ran the only store on Haleiwa road, Chun's store.

One of the north shore's first big-wave surfers knows how this hidden surf spot got its name. It was named for a generous family that allowed surfers to cut through their yard to get to it. "The thing went onto the map. you look on the map. It shows Chun's reef," says Henry Preece, former big wave surfer.

The oldest of the 13 chun children was John "Babe" chun. He played tackle on a championship Waialua high school football team, served in the air force, went to butcher school, and took over the family store a few miles away from Chun's reef, on Haleiwa road. "My dad sometimes had a gruff exterior and people may have been afraid of him initially but once they got to know him they knew he was all soft inside," says Jana Remson, daughter.

The store was a popular gathering place. while other businesses discouraged loitering, Babe wanted people to come hang out. "He was smart at getting people to come over to the shop because he couldn't leave so he got everybody to come here and party," says longtime friend Joel Asato. "Dad, he could eat, yeah? (he could cook! your dad would come to the fire station, cook the meals for us in the evening."

His youngest daughter learned the business from him and she owns it now.  "He worked hard and he played hard. I admire that. he taught us, work as hard as you can, but you enjoy life. I appreciate that," says daugther, Janelle Chun-Nicely. He gave freely to family, friends, people in need. But former business partner randy sanborn says babe often advised. "Watch your money! (laugh)," says Randy Sanborn, longtime friend.

That's one reason the only store on Haleiwa road has lasted for so long--60 years. "One of my father's last words to me were to keep it going so that's what we're going to do, as long as the community allows us and they support us which we're very grateful, we're just going to keep going," says Chun-Nicely.

She keeps his upstairs office overlooking the store just as he left it, dotted with family photos. And she likes to think he's still watching over all his family and friends... And still tucking in the business at night.

John Babe Chun was 70 years old and suffered complications from diabetes. His funeral will be held Sunday morning at eleven at Mililani mortuary's mauka chapel.

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Source KHON.com

Passages - Surfersvillage