LIHUE — Ernesto Pasion, known by most as Ernie, left a legacy of honesty and integrity all across the island of Kauai. Pasion, known by most as Ernie, left a legacy of honesty and integrity across Kauai. He was the
LIHUE — Ernesto Pasion, known by most as Ernie, left a legacy of honesty and integrity all across the island of Kauai.
Pasion, known by most as Ernie, left a legacy of honesty and integrity across Kauai.
He was the county auditor that challenged the system, the accountant that sorted out taxes, the chef that supplied breakfast for workers on Election Day, and the guy who was there for a friend in a pinch.
He was one of the good guys, said those who knew him.
Pasion died on Oct. 22 at home in Honolulu after a prolonged battle with brain cancer. He was 71.
“Ernie was one of my all-time friends,” said Glenn Mickens of Kapaa. “I’m so sad that he’s now gone and they’ll never be able to fill his shoes.
He did so much for the island.”
Pasion was born on Oct. 31, 1943, in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte in the Philippines.
He received his master’s degree in business administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago, where he met his wife, Edie in 1968.
The pair married in 1971 and went on honeymoon throughout the Hawaiian Islands, where they returned eight years later with their son, Ernest Pasion Jr.
“We wanted to show our son all of the islands and we fell in love with Kauai,” Edie said.
At that time, Ernie was working for Paslode Corporation as their chief financial officer, spending much of his time traveling.
“He didn’t have enough time for his family, we only have one son, and he was struggling a lot,” Edie said. “It was time for him to slow down, so we moved to Kauai.”
The family landed on the island in 1992 and Ernie started work as the deputy county clerk in December of 1996.
He stayed at that post until 2009, when he was hired as Kauai County’s first auditor.
“Ernie earned my respect and I was grateful that he took me as his friend, because he was one of the most utterly honest public servants I’ve ever met,” said Lonnie Sykos, who knew Pasion from County Council meetings. “To me, Ernie is a hero, an actual hero that was willing to stand up in the public’s interest.”
Many on Kauai know Pasion’s name through an audit on 2012 county fuel costs when he reported illegal conduct to the council and to law enforcement officials.
Pasion later filed a suit against the county in November 2013 alleging violation of the state Whistleblowers’ Protection Act.
The complaint alleged the auditor’s authority to investigate agencies without direction from the council was infringed upon and he was illegally disciplined for reporting activities protected by the law.
Pasion reached a settlement with the county in February.
On May 22, 2014, Pasion went on medical leave from his position as the county auditor, after having a stroke a year and four months before his tenure expired.
“He got surgery in May of 2014 and went to UCLA for clinical drug trials for his brain condition,” Edie said. “Even when he was sick, he was so brave and was doing the trials so that maybe they could work on him, but more so that they could help other people.”
Helping people was Pasion’s No. 1 priority and he was highly involved in the island’s Filipino community, as well as the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church.
“Ernie was exuberantly happy and a delightful man,” said Peggy Hara, who went to church with Pasion. “You have friends that you like and are close to, but I was really proud of Ernie. I was proud to have him as my friend.”
A memorial service will be held for Pasion on Saturday, Nov. 28 at Holy Cross in Kalaheo.
