Erik Lyle Olsen's Obituary
It is with extreme sorrow that we announce the passing of Erik Lyle Olsen, who tragically lost his life on October 21, 2024 at the age of 71 in Kihei, Maui.
Erik was born in Chico, California on August 17, 1953. He was the firstborn of four sons; born to father Lyle Irving Olsen, and mother Elizabeth Vanden Bosch. His family eventually settled in San Diego, CA in 1961 when Erik was almost 8 years old, after briefly living in New York City from 1958-1961.
Throughout his youth, Erik was a dedicated Boy Scout of America. He also played Little League baseball and made it onto the all-star team when he was 12 years old. After attending both Grant Elementary & Roosevelt Junior High in San Diego, he attended San Diego High School where he starred in varsity basketball as well as football, and graduated with academic honors in 1972. He then attended Chico State University in Northern California where he studied law, and played on their basketball team. In 1975 at the age of 21, an unexpected circumstance swayed Erik to veer off of the path laid out in front of him. He eloped to Maui with Mary Perlongo whom he married in Hana, and had a son with that same year. They briefly lived in Honoka’a on the Hamakua coast of the Big Island, then in Kihei on Maui, before settling in Huelo, Maui in 1976. During his time in Huelo, he farmed the land with coconut and banana trees. He learnt and weaved the most beautiful coconut palm frond hats and bowls which were then sold at a local roadside stand along Maui’s famous road to Hana…(National Geographic magazine once published a photo featuring his work that was displayed at the local roadside stand). He was also employed at a native Hawaiian plant farm where they specialized in the propagation of rare native Hawaiian plants for restoration projects around parts of Maui.
Erik was a loving father of one son, and a proud grandfather of four grandsons & one granddaughter. He is survived by his son, Aragon (Melissa) Olsen, along with five grandchildren (Khristian, Stryder, Lyla, Mykie, Koda) of Pukalani, Maui; two brothers, Nels Olsen of Mt. View, HI; Leif (Dana) Olsen of Oceanside, CA; one Aunt, Jean Jones of W Sacramento, CA; two nephews, one niece, two cousins, and a handful of close friends.
He was predeceased by his beautiful loving wife of 38 years, Mary (2013); strong mother, Elizabeth (2024); ambitious father, Lyle (2000); sweet baby brother, Kristian (1960/1961); and his latest loyal furry companion of 14 years, Shorty (2023).
Erik was a unique free-spirited and soft-hearted empath who wasn’t afraid to march to the beat of his own drum. He was wise and ever so witty, kind although kolohe, humble and highly humorous, meek and mindfully mellow, calm and collected, charming and charismatic, quiet and quirky. He loved all things nature and the great outdoors, oftentimes befriending and feeding myna birds from his hand. He loved watching the sunrise every morning, and the sunset every evening. He loved to sit in the silence and still of the night as he gazed up at the stars searching for constellations. He loved white powdered donuts, as well as Häagen Daz strawberry and coffee ice cream so much, that at times he enjoyed it like nobody was watching! He liked his coffee straight black and never went a morning without. He loved to read the Bible along with many other books, and would quote his favorite verses to his grandchildren or whomever offered a listening ear. Out of everything that he loved, what he loved and appreciated most, were kind and caring people. He enjoyed all of life’s simple pleasures…one in particular that he longed for in the latter months of his life, was to simply lie in a bed and read a book.
Erik, we love you dearly, you will be sorely missed.
A Hui Hou…Aloha ‘Oe (until we meet again…farewell to thee)
https://youtu.be/zXOzNiKceps?feature=shared
(Aloha O'e by: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Henry Kapono, Cyril Pahinui, Roland Cazimero [above link available with smartphone]...Erik loved listening to these Hawaiian musicians)
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