He was a good teacher. He was very strong in his convictions.
“He was intent on getting as many people involved as possible and to let it grow . . . to be more visible but in a dignified way,” Ching said.
The organization was created in 1863 by King Kamehameha V. As a fraternal society with limited membership, it has not been as politically active nor publicly visible as other Hawaiian community or advocacy organizations.
Kamai, 66, died Thursday in St. Francis Hospital. He was retired from Honolulu Gas Co. after 39 years and was owner of a corrosion control service, Heine Ikaika Kamai Inc.
“He had a droll sense of humor. He told stories that went on and on,” recalled family friend Meredith Okudara.
Kamai was active in his parish, St. Patrick Church, and its school.
“He was a real force when he became president of the PTA at St. Patrick’s,” Okudara said. “For many years, meetings were Dullsville. When he took over . . . he was such a stubborn, opinionated man . . . but you know he would be fair. We had standing room only at our meetings.”
Kamai’s interests as Hawaiian and Catholic coincided in 1995 when he worked to involve Hawaiian groups in the celebration of the beatification of Father Damien DeVeuster, said Bill Souza, also a member of the Royal Order of Kamehamaha. The order presented a carved calabash to Pope John Paul II at the Brussels beatification. Kamai participated in ceremonies here when a Damien relic was returned for burial in Hawaii.
Kamai was formerly active in Lions Club, was a member of Waikiki Hawaiian Civic Club and other chapters, and was a Boy Scout leader and canoe racing official. He was a member of Hale O Na Ali‘i and a member of the Damien Museum board. He had friends from around the world as a result of 40 years as a ham radio hobbyist, said his wife, Winona.
Kamai was born in Waiakea, on the Big Island. He attended Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Church with Hawaiian societies’ ceremonies. A funeral mass will be said at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Diamond Head Memorial Park.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Winona B.; sons David I. and Devin I.; daughters Dwynn L. and Dana K.; hanai daughter Liane Davidson; sisters Cecilia Chun, Gwen Bruhn, Leinani Kinney, Francine Johnstonbaugh, Joyce Pinderski, Jean Naeole and Diane Sing; and one granddaughter.
Mariano T. Ancheta, 53, of Kahuku, a rice farmer, died May 3 in Wahiawa General Hospital. Born in Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, he is survived by wife Perpetua; sons Mariano Jr., Albert, Randy and Jesus; daughters Loida Pasol and May and Jennifer Ancheta; brothers Manuel and Catalino Jr.; sisters Marilyn Ceredon and Susana Ancheta; and nine grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at St. Roch Catholic Church, 56-350 Kamehameha Highway. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Burial in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines at a later date. Casual attire. No flowers.
Ignacio M. Barit Jr., 21, of Waipahu died April 22 in St. Francis-West Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by father Ignacio; stepmother Maritez; and grandfather Domingo Quesada. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at Nuuanu Memorial Park Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 9 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Church in Waipahu. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.
Juliana T. Blas, 76, of Honolulu died April 30 in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Laoag City, the Philippines, she is survived by husband Fabian T.; sons Rogelio, Danny, Pete, Reynaldo and Rolly; daughters Lydia Daquioag, Chris Barbosa, Fely Salcedo and Melvina Natividad; brothers Jhonny and Zoilo Tangonan; 23 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Thursday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 8:45 a.m. Friday at St. Anthony Church, 640 Puuhale Road. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.
Elizabeth Kam Chin Chang, 84, of Honolulu died April 26 in Palolo Chinese Home. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Ernest, Norman and Dr. Malcolm; brother Edmund Ching; sister Helen Zane; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Services: 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Diamond Head Memorial Park.
Leonardo B. Dario, 77, of Kahului died May 4 in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Ilocos Sur, the Philippines, he is survived by son Wilson; daughters Marieta Verzosa, Noemi Bala and Elizabeth Servira; sisters Mercedes Urbanez, Fidela Yesan and Luz Nolasco; 16 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Services: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 9 a.m. Saturday at the mortuary. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Valley Isle Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Samuel “Uncle Sam” Delovio, 76, of Honolulu, a retired truck driver with Oahu Transport, died Wednesday at home. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Faith; sons Samuel Jr., Malcolm and Andrew; daughters Beverly and Tita Delovio and Marlene Aiu; hanai son Kono Dahlin; brother Kalani; sisters Emalia Peneku and Mae “Tweetie” Matutino; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Blessed Sacrament Church, 2124 Pauoa Road. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Kaahumanu Cemetery, corner of Kapalama Avenue and Alani Street. Aloha attire. No flowers.
Douglas G. Forbes, 79, of Honolulu, owner of Pacific Power Products, died Wednesday in Queen’s Hospital. He was also president of Atlas Electric and worked at General Electric, American Factors and Amelco. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Vera; daughters Kadie Harris and Polly Forbes; son D.G. Jr.; five grandchildren; stepsons David, Larry and Mark Hussey; and sisters Jean Adams and Mary Dolan. Services: 9 a.m. Friday at Outrigger Canoe Club. Aloha attire. No flowers. Donations suggested to the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation, Outrigger Canoe Club, 2909 Kalakaua Avenue.
Matsuaki Higa, also known as Richard M. Higa, 76, of Honolulu, a retired owner of High Class Meat Market, died May 3 in Kuakini Hospital. He was also a meat cutter at Wong’s Meat Market. Born in Puunene, Maui, he is survived by wife Nancy M.; son Allan A.; daughters Winifred Benzon and Stephanie Sato; brothers Billy, Jensei and Bobby; sisters Alice Uyehara, Haruko Morimoto and Shigeko Odo; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Memorial services: 6 p.m. Thursday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 5 p.m. Casual attire. No flowers.
Ada May Kamauna, 80, of Honolulu, a retired accounting technician, died Friday in Honolulu. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Franklin, Robert and Alden Kamaunu; daughters Ada Mae McAldow and Lorene Aki; sister Thelma Chock; brothers William, Clarence and Richard Gartrell; 15 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Services: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 5 p.m. Graveside services: 9 a.m. Saturday at the park.
Roy K. Kaneshiro, 84, of Pahoa, Hawaii, a retired heavy equipment mechanic, died May 2 in Life Care Center of Hilo. Born in Hawaii, he is survived by wife Edna F.; daughters Cordelia Wong and Anne Inman; brothers Paul S. and George S.; sister Matsuko; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services held.
Frank A. Kawahara, 73, of Aiea, a retired employee from Hale Koa Hotel, died April 22 in Queen’s Hospital. Born in Wailuku, he is survived by sister Sumiko Suzuki. Private services.
Eva G. Keala, 63, of Hilo, a retired cafeteria worker at Kalanianaole and Haaheo schools, died Sunday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Hilo, she is survived by husband Raymond; sons Raymond Jr., Renwick and Rory; daughter Pua Carpenter; sisters Blanche Ma‘a, Dirolen Gomes and Momi Wakita; and nine grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Thursday at Haili Church. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Graveside services: 9:30 a.m. Friday at Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Aloha attire. No flowers.
Hyades B. Kiesel, 79, of Bend, Ore. died May 2 in Central Oregon Health Care Center. Born in Puukolii, Maui, she is survived by husband Herbert H.; hanai son Wayne H. Bechert; daughters Marie K. Shanaman and Elsie I. Dickson; sisters Evelyn E. Horiuchi, Helen A. Young and Kuuleialoha Lay; 12 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Friday at Ballard Family Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Stake Center in Kahului. Call from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Burial: Maui Memorial Park.
Miyuki “Bilick” Kiriu, 70, of Aiea, a retired carpenter, died April 28 at home. Born in Waipahu, he is survived by wife Doris M.; sons Keith and Eric; daughter Lynn; sisters Aiko Ikehara, Minae Nishimura and Linda Nagamine; and brother Robert. Private services.
Abraham Luis, 71, of Honolulu died May 2 at home. Born in Waimea, Kauai, he is survived by brothers Antero and Vitaliano and sisters Mary and Helen Tomas. Services: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Burial: Saturday. Casual attire.
Man Sing Lum, 97, of Honolulu died Wednesday in St. Francis Hospital. He is survived by wife Po Wah; son Dr. Clarence K.H.; daughter Jeanne S.J. Chan; stepchildren Constance Seto, Albert Chun, Rose Gomes, Esther Persons, Betty Leu, Ellen Lee and Stella Juan; godchild Barbara Hara; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Services: 11:30 a.m. Friday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Nuuanu Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.
Henry N. Macomber, 78, of Hilo, a retired operator engineer for Harada Contractor Inc., died yesterday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Kahaluu, Hawaii, he is survived by sons Edwin, Norman and the Rev. Bobby; daughter Daisy Spalding; brothers James Macomber Jr. and James Leleiwi; sisters Rosina Smith and Rose Leleiwi; 19 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Thursday at Dodo Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Glad Tidings Church. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Homelani Memorial Park. Aloha attire.
Haruyo Miyaji, 81, of Hilo died Thursday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Pepeekeo, Hawaii, she is survived by son James; daughters Janet Okino, Mae Hirayama, Irene Sakamoto and Carol Iboshi; sister Chieko Alatan; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Services held.
Edwin T. “Buffalo” Mizumoto, 65, of Waianae, a retired federal employee, died Wednesday. Born in Hawaii, he is survived by wife Stella, son John and brother Neil. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. Friday at Waianae Hongwanji Mission, 85-762 Old Government Road.
Amy M. Murakami, 77, of Honolulu died April 28 in St. Francis Hospice. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sisters Shizuka Kuwasaki, Barbara Murakami and Jean Bowman. Private services.
Roger K. Nakachi, 78, of Honolulu, a tour guide for Kobayashi Tour Co., died May 4 in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Pepeekeo, Hawaii, he is survived by wife Mae Cha; son George Shinjo; daughters Amy Iha, Junko Shinji, Amy Shinjo and Meiko Chinen; brothers Hideo Nakamura and Charles and Paul Nakachi; sisters Yoshiko Kaneshiro, Tsuruko Ancheta and Helen Toyama; and four grandchildren. Services: 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire. No flowers.
Harry S. Pang, 78, of Honolulu, former owner of Kilauea Theater & Store, died April 21 in Pearl City Nursing Home. He also retired from Castle & Cooke. Born in Waipahu, he is survived by brothers Kim Sing, Kim Yuen, Kin Lin and Kim T.; and sisters Fanny Kau, Jennie Ching and Betty Zane. Private services.
Facundo Quintal, 94, of Ewa Beach died May 1 in Kapiolani Hospital at Pali Momi. Born in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur, the Philippines, he is survived by sons Sonny, Pedro, Jose and Abraham; daughters Leticia Quintal and Alletha “Leta” Oliva; sister Patrocino Sol; 15 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Thursday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Church, 91-1298 Renton Road. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Irene R. Raquel, 87, of Wahiawa died Wednesday. Born in Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, she is survived by children Fred, Rodolfo and Loreto Raquel and Carmen Ildefonso; 21 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. Services: 7 p.m. Thursday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Wahiawa. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.
