Charlot, John, 1941-2022

John Pierre Charlot, Dr. Theology, Professor of Polynesian Religions, died on October 18th, 2022.

Had Professor John Charlot's life not been cut short, he'd be working through his daily routine at his serene, sequestered Mountain View cottage—three acres of secluded volcano wilderness to ponder the latest draft article, the next chapter of his encyclopedic biography of his remarkable father, or an upcoming lecture. There was unfinished business but sudden loss of function in late 2021 confused his mind and stayed his scholar's hand.

First son to Jean and Zohmah Charlot, John was raised in a world of art, culture, and religion, from Mexico to Hawai'i. After time at Harvard, U. of Louvain (Belgium), and U. of Munich (Germany), John eventually returned home, fashioned a career in teaching and research, most notably with the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, and authored a wide range of scholarly articles and books, including "Chanting the Universe: Hawaiian Religious Culture", "Classical Hawaiian Education: Generations of Hawaiian Culture" and "A Kumulipo of Hawai'i." His work displays a rare blend of European training and Polynesian erudition. His broad foundation in philosophy and theology and his research in other Polynesian cultures and languages conferred deep insight into the richness of Hawai'i's oral and written literature and traditions. John nurtured an entire generation of teachers and scholars who continue to demonstrate that Hawaiian literature and religion are worthy of uncompromising academic study and merits the world's attention. His extensive contributions to the preservation of Jean Charlot's legacy and the setting up of Manoa's Jean Charlot Collection and Jean Charlot Foundation are invaluable. His loss is deeply felt.

Earnest in work; modest; quick to help; and thoroughly philanthropic, John contributed to the better world he had hoped for all. Stoic in hardship; honorable in dealings; grateful for successes, John chose Life in his beloved Hawai'i until his last breath. And along the way, he nurtured lifelong friendships and enjoyed shorter ones. Afficionado of cheap cigars and stiff cocktails, endowed with a unique combination of Gemütlichkeit and Aloha, he could charm in several languages and laugh in more. Restaurant time with family, friends, and students were celebrations. A beloved and loyal son, brother, father and grandfather, John leaves behind two children and four grandchildren.

Ua hala akula ko makou hoa i ke ao polohiwa a Kane.
Aue, aue, 'a'ole 'o kana mai!
Our friend has passed into the glistening black cloud of Kane.
Our sorrow knows no bounds.

John Charlot was brought to Hawai'i as a child in 1949. He was educated in the mainland United States, Belgium and Germany and earned his doctorate in Religious Studies from the University of Munich in 1968. In 1972-1973, he worked in American Samoa, where he studied language and traditional literature. From 1975-1981, he created a sequence of courses in Hawaiian and Polynesian Religions at the University of Hawai'i. He has written books and articles on culture and religion, including "New Testament Disunity, Its Significance for Christianity Today, Dutton, 1970; "The Application of Form and Redaction Criticism to Hawaiian Literature," The Journal fo the Polynesian Society, 1977; and "The Arts," Atlas of Hawaii, The University Press of Hawai'i, 1973.