Don Horio, best known as Gov. John Burns' press secretary and a longtime Democratic Party workhorse, launched his political and government career from the Star-Bulletin.Horio had begun his newspaper career as a general assignment reporter in 1956. Not long after the 1962 election, Burns named the then-34-year-old newsman as his press aide, and in succeeding years Horio stood by Burns through good and bad times.
Horio, 68, who died a week ago today in Maui Memorial Hospital, was born at Makawao. He attended Maui schools and the University of Hawaii, majoring in English.
He covered business, labor and politics for the Star-Bulletin, heading its legislative bureau for three sessions. He edited a small magazine before joining the newspaper.
Since Burns, re-elected in 1966 and 1970, often preferred long intervals between news conferences, it was Horio's task to smooth this over with reporters.
But critical press comments about this and other matters at times drew Horio fire.
For example, in one of his angrier moods in 1973, he said: "If nothing else, the incredible running account of Watergate may serve to restore a measure of public confidence in the press.
Let us hope so, because the press could stand a good shot of restorative juices today."
He blasted local reporters for perpetuating what he called political myths. He particularly didn't like what he saw as a recurring theme that Gov. Burns was in a running feud with Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi.
Horio's years as press secretary were followed by work for the state Senate in the mid-70s, and he was spokesman for the state Health Department into the late 1980s.
Through it all, including health controversies over pesticides, Horio usually presented a calm demeanor, maybe even an icy composure, his outspoken times actually rare.
Doug Boswell, longtime political writer, viewed Horio as a man of substance.
"About all I can say is he was a great newsman and was present in either the newspaper or the state government during a critical period in Hawaii's development."
This evaluation drew agreement from Tom Coffman -- former political writer and author of "Catch a Wave," a definitive volume on Burns' political career. "Don was a warrior. He was very close to Gov. Burns. He had a deep, keen feeling for the history of the Democratic Party in Hawaii."
Coffman recalled while in the early stages of writing "Catch a Wave," Horio insisted he do his homework and become a genuine authority on Burns and the party -- and that this interaction helped.
Once Horio was convinced Coffman was genuine, he arranged a Coffman interview with Burns that lasted 5 1/2 hours.
"When I was with the Star-Bulletin as a political reporter, I frequently wrote stories highly critical of the late governor. I knew that Don disapproved of what I wrote. However, he would always talk to me and try to tell me what I did wrong. Sometimes he was right," said Buck Donham, another journalist.
Horio is survived by mother, Haly Yoshie Horio; wife Lila A.; sons Blake and Glenn, and sister Pearl N. Nishino.
Services were private.
Laura M.P. Bowers, 94, of Kailua died yesterday in Kailua. She is survived by sons Francis Bowers Jr. and Vernon Knight; daughter Laura "Betty" Evensen; sister Catherine Field; brother Kenneth J. Pratt; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Graveside service: 2 p.m. Tuesday at Oahu Cemetery. Memorial services to be held later. Casual attire. No flowers. Donations may be made to the Bowers Scholarship Fund, Punahou School, 1601 Punahou St., Honolulu 96822 or to Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St., Honolulu 96826.
Helen Callahan, 84, of Waipahu died Saturday in the Aloha Health Care Center. She is survived by sons Robert H. Callahan Jr. and Ricardo C.S. Abille; daughters Eloise E. McKeague and Robertina E. Kim Han; brother Eugene V. Nunes; sisters Leonilda R. Faxon and Marie Rodrigues; 16 grandchildren; and 38 great-grandchildren. Mass: 11:30 a.m. Monday at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 99-312 Moanalua Road. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Casual attire.
Felipe V. Carnate is also survived by a brother and a sister in the Philippines. Additional information for an obituary published yesterday was provided by the mortuary.
Rose H.K. Chang, 67, of Honolulu, a University of Hawaii, Public Health, retiree, died Tuesday in Kuakini Hospital. She is survived by husband Dai Tim; sons Dr. Douglas P. and Colin J.; daughters Martha Ann Kojima and Lana M. Seki; brother Harold T. Kam; sister Theresa P. Malo; and six grandchildren. Service: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples. Casual attire.
Cynthia L. Fong, 72, of Honolulu died yesterday in St. Francis Hospice. She is survived by husband Clarence W.H.; sons Barry G.M., Curtis G.L. and Matthew G.L.; daughters Cathy Duvauchelle and Liana Sandefur; brother Patrick K.W. Lum; sisters Pauling L. and Roberta L. Fong, Gertrude L. Young, Edith L. Leong and Alice L. Jow; and nine grandchildren. Service over her ashes: 10 a.m. Monday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Casual attire.
Chia Jong Liu, 61, of Kapolei, a former restaurant owner, died yesterday in Kaiser Hospital. He is survived by wife Chu Li; son Peter; daughters Helen and Yenna; sister Shu Chien; brother James; and a granddaughter. Service: 11 a.m. Monday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.
Hanako "Esther" Maruoka, 86, of Waipahu, formerly of Kahuku, died June 20 at home. She is survived by son Paul N.; daughters Edwina H. Ayano and Bessie T. Kodama; brother Frederick T. Takahashi; sisters Alice H. Sueka and Gladys Y. Yonemitsu; and 10 grandchildren. Service over her ashes: 1 p.m. Sunday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after noon. Casual attire. Incorrect information for an obituary published Wednesday provided by the mortuary.
Shizuko Yamashita, 83, of Kahului died Wednesday in Maui Memorial Hospital. She is survived by husband Masayoshi; and sisters Jean Taga and Dora Horikawa. Service over her ashes: 5 p.m. Sunday at Nakamura Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.