Some of the notable Hawai‘i figures who died on Kaua‘i and elsewhere in the state in 2004 Frank E. “Uncle Frank” Medeiros, named a Kaua‘i Living Treasure, his long varied career included posts as a ranger, semi-professional baseball pitcher, Special
Some of the notable Hawai‘i figures who died on Kaua‘i and elsewhere in the state in 2004
- Frank E. “Uncle Frank” Medeiros, named a Kaua‘i Living Treasure, his long varied career included posts as a ranger, semi-professional baseball pitcher, Special Police Officer during the plantation strike, longtime coach for the Catholic Youth Organization and Kawaihau Little League.
- Dr. Dean “Deke” Thomas, founding president and medical director of the Diabetes Association of Kaua‘i, he was also Chairman of the Pediatrics Division of Wilcox Memorial Hospital.
- John Francis Akana facilitated the development of the Malaysian prawn and channel catfish industry in Hawai‘i. He also pioneered the development of the Kaua‘ Strawberry Sunrise papaya and was a leader in the agriculture industry .
- Arnold J. Hoffman, M.D. whose Hawai‘i practicesincluded Hanalei Clinic, Lihue Family Health Center, Kaiser Foundation and The Queen’s Health System at the Wailana Clinic. He was also the medical director for E.M.S. for many years and founded OccuHealth Kauai when he retired from clinical practice.
- Walter R. Haas, longtime veterinarian and owner of Lihue Veterinary Hospital. He was also an avid shell, stamp, and coin collector and was actively involved in many civic organizations.
- Hiram L. Fong, a Chinese immigrants’ son who overcame poverty to become a millionaire businessman and the first Asian-American elected to the U.S. Senate.
- Longtime Honolulu Star-Bulletin columnist Dave Donnelly.
- Travel executive Didi Ah Yo, who was known for her lively television commercials.
- Award-winning kumu hula Thaddius Wilson.
- Lindsey Pollock, a former Hawaiian Airlines public relations official who convinced the carrier to become an original sponsor of the Merrie Monarch Festival
- Federal appeals Judge Herbert Y.C. Choy, the first Asian-American to serve on the federal bench.
- Ben H. Tamashiro, who with his wife gained fame through a series of popular Bank of Hawaii television commercials
- Gilbert Lani Kauhi, the actor better known as Zulu, who was a member of the original cast of the “Hawaii Five-0” television series.
- Martha Poepoe Hohu, a conductor, composer, arranger, singer and organist who spearheaded the compilation of three Hawaiian hymnals and won numerous awards.
- Thomas K. Hugo Jr., longtime head of the Hawaii Paroling Authority. He played professional football with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League from 1953 through 1959.
- Clayton Bertelmann, who was instrumental in the building of the Big Island’s voyaging canoe Makalii.
- Martha Poepoe Hohu, a conductor, composer, arranger, singer and organist who spearheaded the compilation of three Hawaiian hymnals and won numerous awards.
Combined Associated Press and Garden Island reports.
