Kalisi David Ulu'ave

Kalisi David Ulu'ave was born in Logan, Utah, on July 21, 1983. Kalisi returned back into our loving Father's arms on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at age 41. Kalisi was a light to all those around him. He loved deeply and lived purposefully. He was selfless in the service he gave to others. He brought so much joy to everyone with his laugh, humor, and silly antics. His greatest joy and blessing in this life were being an uncle, brother, son, grandson, nephew, cousin, and husband. He truly lived for those around him.

He spent his childhood growing up in Laie, Hawaii. His early years were full of adventure, including many scout outings, lighting firecrackers, picking fruits, climbing trees, and cliff-jumping. He was especially fond of his memories as a young child helping his Uncle Kalisitiane in the garden, and he always strived to follow the example of service that his uncle set for him. He learned karate, collected comic books, and developed a love for sports and learning.

He loved music, was a self-taught guitarist, and excelled in playing. He served a faithful mission to the Baguio Philippines mission in 2003-2004. While on his mission, he developed transverse myelitis, becoming paralyzed from the waist down. He stayed in the neuro-intensive care for two months until he could be safely transported home. After a long and rigorous recovery, he vowed to ride his bicycle across America. In 2011, he accomplished his goal while raising money for Tour For a Cure, riding from Huntington Beach, California to Bar Harbor, Maine in only 65 days. He met many lifelong friends along that journey.

In 2018, he married his best friend and sweetheart, Mariah. That year, they moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota to begin medical school at the University of North Dakota (UND). In 2019, Kalisi was hired into UND's Department of Indigenous Health. He quickly fell in love with his work, which led him to change his academic and career pursuits. He served as Opioid Response Tribal Liaison and Tribal Tobacco Control Research Project Coordinator, published multiple academic works, and was a graduate instructor, teaching Master of Public Health level courses for American Indian Policy for several years. In 2021 he began UND's Indigenous Health Doctoral program, the first of its kind in the world, where he excelled. Earlier this summer of 2024, he proudly began his dissertation work. He will be remembered for the positive impact that he has made on his family, friends, UND, and the tribal communities of North Dakota. The grief and loss that we as family, friends, and community members feel at this time is truly immeasurable.

He is survived by his wife Mariah Ulu’ave, his parents Sheila and Steve Taysom, Siotame I. and Keri Ulu’ave, his brothers Eliakaniu (Karah) Ulu’ave, Siotame A. (Molly) Ulu’ave, Christopher (Sarah) Taysom, and his sisters Sheila (Jeremy) Larsen, and Kenzie Morey. He was preceded in death by his brother Alalate Ulu’ave, uncle Jeff Gleason, cousin Ahidike NKwocha, and grandparents Raymond Eves and Bertha Gleason.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday August 10, 2024, at 481 N. Main Street La Verkin, Utah, including a viewing at 9:30am, followed by chapel services at 11:00am. Grave dedication will be held at Tonaquint Cemetery in St. George, Utah.

 We would like to give a special thanks to all of those who provided tender, loving care to Kalisi as they prepared his body so that he could be home with us again: Amundson Funeral Home of Grand Forks, North Dakota and Serenity Funeral Home of St. George, Utah.