Radio exec
John F. Leonard diesFormer ‘Sunbums’ publisher
By Jim Witty
staged rock shows in ’70s
Star-Bulletin
John F. Leonard, who brought hundreds of top-flight rock groups to Hawaii during the 1970s and later helped bring a group of struggling Hilo radio stations back from oblivion, died early yesterday of an apparent heart attack. He was 55."This is a guy who was a giant in both broadcasting and entertainment," said Ken Hupp, news director of Leonard's KPUA, KWXX and KNWB stations.
"His departure leaves a void. We're going to miss him."
Born in Sacramento, Calif., Leonard founded Records-Hawaii after moving to Honolulu in 1968. A year later he started JFL Concerts that brought many big name acts to Hawaii including The Jacksons, Rod Stewart, Journey and Janis Joplin.
Leonard's company also published the "Sunbums" newspaper, which sought to bridge rock and roll with the local entertainment industry, Hupp said.
Leonard began his broadcast career in the 1980s as an account executive and director of promotions at KKUA and KQMQ-FM on Oahu. He moved to the Big Island in 1992 to take over operations of financially troubled KPUA and KWXX-FM for New West Broadcasting. Under his leadership, New West acquired KFSH-FM in Hilo, which became The Wave.
Most recently, Leonard launched Digital Satellite Television Co. with stores in Hilo and on Maui and Oahu.
Leonard was active in the University of Hawaii, Hilo Athletic Boosters, the Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, and the Big Island Press Club and was president of the East Hawaii Unit of the American Cancer Society. He was also past president of the Hawaii Academy of Recording Artists.
"He was a real energetic, enthusiastic kind of guy," said Hupp. "He was very hard driving. He'd look at something and work like a son of a gun to try to accomplish it."
Musician Peter Moon was stunned by his old friend's death.
"He was very personable, very likable," Moon said. "Any time I was in Hilo, I'd see him ... Business or having a beer with him, he was just a great guy."
He is survived by son Christopher; daughter Michelle Edgington; two grandsons and two granddaughters. Funeral arrangements are pending.
George Tanaka's passion for education led him to support many schools financially -- his own and those of his sons.Tanaka had no connection with the Kamehameha Schools, but his concern for Hawaiians led him to establish a scholarship there.
Tanaka, 72, of Honolulu, a Kaimuki dentist for 45 years, died Nov. 25 in Queen's Hospital.
Born in Haiku, Maui, he attended Punahou School and was graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1942. He also attended the University of Hawaii two years and the University of Missouri in Kansas City, School of Dentistry, graduating in 1949, second in his class, to earn membership in the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society. He was the first Asian to be admitted to the Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity.
His longtime practice was divided between 39 years at Kaimuki Bowl Building and the last six years in the KAIM Building.
He was an associate professor of dentistry at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, School of Dentistry. For the past 35 years, he went there twice a year to teach dental students clinical dentistry. Last year, he was given a full professorship.
He won the school's Man of the Year Award in 1974 and the Alumni Achievement Award in 1985. He won the 1996 Pierre Fouchard Award for excellence and ethics in dentistry. His community service included memberships on the Board of Honolulu Dental Service.
"He led a peaceful and serene life, because he was always kind, understanding, compassionate, fair, and above all, God-fearing," said his eldest son, Keith Y., a Honolulu attorney.
A private service took place in Thurston Chapel at Punahou School Nov. 27. Tanaka also is survived by wife Mary K.; son Nils J.M., a physician in Santa Barbara, Calif.; and one grandchild.
Benjamen M. Akahane, 65, of Aiea, a retired Hickam Air Force Base supply clerk, died last Tuesday at home. Akahane, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, veteran, was born in Honolulu. He is survived by daughter Corinne A. Gonzales; companion Virginia E. Torres; son Ivan Loughmiller; sister Clara K. Richardson; and six grandchildren. Service: 10:30 a.m. Friday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 8 a.m. Burial with military honors: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, Kaneohe. Casual attire.
Solidad S. Alison, 67, of Aiea, a retired DMV clerk for Pflueger Honda, died Saturday at home. Born in Aiea, she is survived by sons Jerry, David, Ricky, Randy, Stanford and Al; daughters Dutches and Peaches; brothers Fred Sencio and Alfred Balocan; sisters Connie Natividad, Mercy Damate and Sophie Penaranda; 13 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Service: 10 a.m. next Tuesday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, Kaneohe. Casual attire. No flowers.
Marvin Bell, 63, of Dover, Del., a U.S. Navy employee, died Nov. 4 in Honolulu. Born in New Jersey, he is survived by wife Concepcion; sons Marvin Jr., Mitchelle, Michael and Lewis; and daughter Sandra. Private services.
Maximo "Maxie" Berce, 90, of Kahului, a night watchman for Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co., died Sunday in Hale Makua. Born in San Jose, Abra, the Philippines, he is survived by wife Christine; sons Glenn and James; daughters Maxine Crawford and Rosie Straw; several siblings; and four grandchildren. Mass: 8 p.m. Friday at Christ the King Church. Call after 6 p.m. Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Maui Memorial Park. Aloha attire.
Petra S. Cabel, 72, of Waipahu died Nov. 7 in the Pearl City Nursing Home. Born in the Philippines, she is survived by husband Luis; son Vince; daughter Ellie; brothers Antonmino and Silbino Sanchez; and three grandchildren. Service: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 6 p.m. Mass: 10:15 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Church in Waipahu. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.
Marcelino C. Cabilan, 86, of Waipahu died Nov. 21 in St. Francis-West Hospital. Born in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, the Philippines, he is survived by wife Juanita G.; son Robert M.; daughter Evelyn C. Chlupsa; sister Gavina Cabanayan; and seven grandchildren. Service: 7 p.m. tomorrow at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 6 p.m. Mass: 9:15 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Church, 94-675 Farrington Highway. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Charlene L. Campbell, 47, of Honolulu, a Hawaiian Telephone Co. business representative, died Thursday in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by husband John N.; daughter Aleina L.; sons Bradley K. and John R.; mother Leiola Gerlach; and sisters Phyllis Torres, Geraldene Eckart and Jessica Sintos. Memorial service: 10:30 a.m. Friday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 9:30 a.m. Inurnment: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Aloha attire.
Anne A. Clark, 92, of Kaaawa died Friday in Straub Hospital. Born in Waikiki, she is survived by son James K.; daughter Kamaka C. Miyamoto; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Service: 10 a.m. Saturday at Oahu Cemetery Chapel. Call after 8:30 a.m. Inurnment to follow.
George R. Correa, 86, of Hilo, a self-employed taxicab driver, died Nov. 24 in Hilo Hospital. Born in Hilo, he is survived by wife Peggy T.; sons George Jr. and Leroy; daughter Barbara Jean Mato; brother Henry; sisters Rita Rjak, Lucille Timas, Linda Asay and Marjorie Williams; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Mass: 12:15 p.m. Thursday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Margarita V. Cuaresma, 74, of Kapaa, Kauai, a bookkeeper for a former Kauai store, died Sunday in Honolulu. Born in Kealia, Kauai, she is survived by husband Antonio; sons James and Robert; daughter Marilyn Labrador; and eight grandchildren. Mass: 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Catherine's Church. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: church cemetery. Casual/aloha attire.
George D. Fairhurst, 65, of Kailua, a retired Maui County Controller corporate controller and private pilot, died Saturday in Castle Hospital. Born in Bozeman, Mont., he is survived by wife Martha; sons Doug II and Ron; daughter Kim Mays; brother Bill; and three grandchildren. Graveside service: 11 a.m. Thursday at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery, Kaneohe. No flowers. Donations suggested to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
Margaret F.I. Fiso, 25, of Utah, a native of Honolulu, died Nov. 25 in Utah. She is survived by husband Tony S.; children Tara Nau and Josiah Fiso; sister Maile Iloa; brothers Josiah and Tommy Iloa; and grandmother Roberta Baehr. Service: 11 a.m. Friday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hauula Makai Ward. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Laie Cemetery.
Stanley R. Forbes, of Honolulu, a Southern Pacific Railroad retiree, died Wednesday in Honolulu. Born in Powhatten, Kan., he is survived by wife Marjorie J.; sons Stephen G., Gerald and Gary; stepdaughters Robin Carr-Locke and Lani B. Carr; and three grandchildren. Private services.
Tsutomu Fujimura, 84, of Honolulu, a retired Honsador Lumber Corp. carpenter, died Thursday in the Beverly Manor Convalescent Center. Born in Los Angeles, he is survived by wife Shizue; sons Kenneth T. and Glenn N.; daughters Carole A. Oshiro and Ellen N. Morishita; and six grandchildren. Service: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Cremation to follow.
Saturnina J. Garabilez, 83, of Honolulu died Nov. 17 in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Candon, Ilocos Sur, the Philippines, she is survived by son Alfred Galapate Jr.; brother Juan Jimenez; and three grandchildren. Mass: 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, 714 N. School St. Call after 6 p.m. Service: 9:45 a.m. Saturday at the church. Call after 8 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples.
Thomas "Toby" Hatanaka, 70, of Honolulu, retired executive vice president of Servco Pacific and former manager for Maui Pineapple Co., died Saturday at home. Hatanaka also was a member of the board of trustees and former chairman of the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific. Born in Wailuku, he is survived by wife Lily T.; sons Robert and John; sister Yuriko Kessner; brother Francis M.; and three grandchildren. Service: 5 p.m. tomorrow at the Community Church of Honolulu. Call: 3 p.m. Thursday at the Iao Congregational Church on Maui. Private inurnment. Casual attire. No flowers. Donations suggested to the St. Francis Hospice or the Renal Institute of the Pacific.
Thomas R. Hayden, 86, of Keauhou, Hawaii, a retired Seattle Post Intelligencer superintendent and past master mason, died Nov. 22 at home. Born in Seattle, he is survived by wife Georgia L.; sons Thomas A. and Ronald; sister Madeline Thomas; and four grandchildren. Private services.
Mona L. Hunter, of Lahaina died Nov. 14 in Maui Memorial Hospital. Born in Utah, she is survived by children John R. Cook and Pamela J. Schmidt; brother John Burnside; and two grandchildren. Mass: 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Maria Lanakila Catholic Church. Memorial services to be held. For information, call Jo at 669-6576.
Martha Ing, 84, of Honolulu, died Nov. 24 at her home. Born in Waihee, Maui, she is survived by son David V.; brothers Robert W.C., Richard W.N., Walter D.M. and Leonard W.C. Ching; and sisters Ellen Sen and Beatrice Goodenow. Services: noon Saturday at Nuuanu Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Nuuanu Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Otsuru Kamiya, 95, of Lihue died Sunday at home. Born in Moloaa, Kauai, she is survived by daughters Shirley Tanaka, Vi Noel and Laura Hinazumi; son Daniel; sisters Shinayo Shinagawa and Tamayo Hachikubo; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Service: 4:30 p.m. tomorrow at Waimea Honpa Hongwanji Mission. Call after 3:30 p.m. Casual attire.
Margaret H. Katsuno, 80, of Kaneohe, a retired waitress, died Nov. 21 in Castle Hospital. Born in Papaikou, Hawaii, she is survived by daughter Eleanor Yamamoto; brothers Charles and George S. Takara; sisters Uto Oshiro and Shizue Uehara; and four grandchildren. Private services.
Robert T. Kawakami, also known as Twinkle, 74, of Honolulu died last Tuesday in Kuakini Hospital. Kawakami was a musician and co-founder of the Kajukenbo Self Defense Institute. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Odetta K.; sons Melvin, Robert T., Robert M.K.; Shepherd P. and Mark R.; daughters Viola Choriki, Elizabeth Robb, Delphine S.L. McCoy and Odetta K.S. Stevens; sisters Gladys Maetani and Grace Yamane; 27 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren. Wake: 7 p.m. Friday at Mililani Downtown Mortuary. Call after 5:30 p.m. Cremation to follow. Private inurnment. Casual attire. No flowers.
Emma T. Lee, 84, of Honolulu died Nov. 24 in Kaiser Hospital. Born in Kohala, Hawaii, she is survived by husband Kim Tet; sons Michael and Theodore; daughter Joslyne; brothers Kui Hing and Clement Tenn; sisters Alice Akamu, Ellen Leau and Thelma Tenn; and six grandchildren. Private services.
Leonard N. Matsumoto, 81, of Honolulu, a retired Theo H. Davies salesman, died Nov. 24 in Leahi Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by sons Dennis and Bertram; daughter Joyce T.; brothers Seiki and Shigeo; sisters Sunae Fujii, Hiroe Ebesu and Clara M. Trousdale; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Private services.
Lee D. Miller, 68, of Bermuda Dunes, Calif., a former Sears Ala Moana Watch & Jewelry Repair jeweler and manager, died Saturday at home. Miller, a U.S. Air Force veteran, was born in Jacksonville, Ill. He is survived by wife Jane; stepchildren Donna, Joseph, David, Michael and Timothy; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Private services.
Toshio "Blackie" Miyahira, 74, of Kapaa, Kauai, owner/proprietor of the original Olympic Cafe, died Wednesday in Wilcox Hospital. He is survived by wife Tsuruko; son Ernie Tamashiro; daughters Laura Tateyama, Donna Oki and Jean Tokuhama; brothers Nelson Y., Harry T. and Richard S.; sisters Dora M. Tengan, Martha A. Miyahira and Betty N. Chang; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Service: 5 p.m. tomorrow at Kapaa Jodo Mission. Call after 4 p.m. Casual attire.
Richard H. Nakashima, 71, of Kaneohe, a retired Hickam Air Force Base quality-control inspector, died Nov. 22 in Straub Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Alice; sons Clyde K. and Ronald T.; and a grandson. Private services.
Frederick G. Nenow, 86, of Koloa, Kauai, a Mobil Oil Co. retiree and former executive director for the Kauai Chamber of Commerce and Aloha United Way, died Wednesday at home. Nenow also was a U.S. Small Business Administration consultant. Born in Norfolk, Neb., he is survived by wife Phyllis; daughters Barbara Degn and Joanne Carmichael; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Private services. Donations suggested to the American Lung Association.
Allen S. Okazaki, 82, of Honolulu, a retired carpenter, died last Tuesday in Queen's Hospital. Born in Hanamaulu, Kauai, he is survived by son Norman K.; daughter Shirley S. Sasaki; brother Robert T.; and three grandchildren. Memorial service: 6 p.m. Friday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.
Margaret D. Paiva, 80, of Honolulu died Wednesday in Queen's Hospital. Born in Honolulu, she is survived by sons Walter and George; brothers Freddy, Walter, George and Francis Dias; sisters Rose Antone, Alice Miyashiro and Florence Schuman; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Service: 11 a.m. Friday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Oahu Cemetery. Casual attire.
Antonio Paulino, 57, of Waipahu died Friday in St. Francis-West Hospital. Born in Waipahu, he is survived by wife Gloria J.; sons Tony Jr., Wayne and Andrew; sisters Loretta McKlasky, Beatrice Estabillo and Juanita Gonzales; stepbrother Florantes Gonzales; and two grandchildren. Service: 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Sunset Memorial Park. Casual attire.
James W. "Kimo" Peltier Jr., 53, of Honolulu, a retired ITT Sheraton director of personnel, died Saturday at home. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by wife Trudy K.; daughter Nicole H.; son James "Kai"; mother Eleanor K.; sisters Mamo J. Otineru and Renee N. Ishikawa; and two grandchildren. Memorial service: noon Saturday at Kamehameha Schools Chapel. Call after 11 a.m. Private scattering of ashes. Casual attire. No flowers.
Mary J. Rapoza, 73, of Hawaiian Paradise Park died Thursday in Hilo Hospital. Born in Nebraska, she is survived by husband Manuel Jr.; sons Roger C., Paul D. and Phillip M.; daughters Susan K. Folsom and Kathryn Victorino; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Service: 11 a.m. tomorrow at Memorial Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Hawaii Veterans Cemetery No. 2. Casual attire.
Warren W. Ross, 50, of Honolulu died Nov. 10 in Boulder, Colo. He is survived by father Walter; mother Mary; and son Thomas C. Services held.
Ginger K. Sano, 56, of Billings, Mont., native of Honolulu, died Thursday at home. She is survived by husband Ray H.; sons Gaylord Mathias Jr, and David and Micheal Sano; daughter Joyce; mother Alice Kaulia; stepfather Daniel Kaulie; stepmother Marian Kahale; sisters Stephanie DeCambra, Jamie Kaulia-Kamealoha and Trina Kaulia; stepbrother Kirk Kahale; stepsister Kathrina Kahale-Taylor; and two grandchildren. Service: 9 a.m. Saturday at Lanakila Church at Waimanalo Kaiona Beach Park. Casual attire.
Kazu Sasai, 101, of Honolulu, a retired tea ceremony instructor, died last Tuesday at home. Born in Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan, she is survived by son Samuel Y.; sisters Louise Y. Maehara and Nobu Katagira; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Private services held.
George Y. Takara, 66, of Kaimuki, a retired Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel second cook, died Friday in Kaiser Hospital. Born in Kailua, Hawaii, he is survived by wife Doris N.; son Martin I.; daughter Cynthia Y. Balantac; brothers Seiichi, Masao and Thomas T.; sisters Doris S. Kaneshiro and Sue M. Furukawa; and two grandchildren. Memorial service: 6 p.m. Friday at Diamond Head Mortuary.
Chieko B. Takeda, 86, of Englewood, Colo., formerly of Hilo, a retired Hilo Intermediate School teacher, died Oct. 9 in Aurora, Colo. She is survived by daughters Harriet M. Loo and Susan N. Takeda; sisters Dorothy T. Kobayashi, Jane A. Nakayama, Yukie Hayashi and Sachiko Toyofuku; and four grandchildren. Private services.
Ethel Y. Tanabe, 81, of Haleiwa died Nov. 21 in Kuakini Hospital. Born in Laie, she is survived by husband George J.; son George J. Jr.; daughters Carol K. Nagano and Rae Y. Iwamoto; sisters Irene S. Togo and Elaine H. Watanabe; and three grandchildren. Private services.
Shizuo Tomasu, 90, of Kaaawa died Nov. 21 in the Pohai Nani Care Center. Born in Hawaii, he is survived by wife Hanako; daughter Gail Tanimura; brother Bob I.; sisters Doris M. Harada, Dorothy F. Anamizu and Gladys K. Hanashiro; and two grandchildren. Private services.
Nellie S. Victorino, 70, of Post Falls, Idaho, native of Honolulu, died last Tuesday in Idaho. She is survived by sons John J. Jr. and Leroy Sayas; daughters Deborah J. Aplaca, Suzette Ann R. Rose, Eleanor L. Behic and Joyce J. Sayas; brothers David and Michael Sedeno; sister Martha Rodrigues; 21 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Services held.
W. Forrest West, 62, of Honolulu, an administrative assistant for the Pacific Club, died Wednesday in Honolulu. Born in Cooden Beach, Bexhill-on-Sea Sussex, England, he is survived by son Adrian. Service: 3 p.m. tomorrow at the Pacific Club. Aloha attire.
Ernest M. Wong, 76, of Kaneohe, a retired Oahu Transportation trucking superintendent, died Thursday in Castle Hospital. Born in Heeia, he is survived by son Thad Kawakami-Wong; daughter Audrey; brothers Alfred, Thomas, Richard and Earl; sisters Miriam Haitsuka, Gladys Danner, Ella Moquin, Helen Nip and Amy Wong; and four grandchildren. Service: noon Saturday at Borthwick Mortuary. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Casual attire. No flowers.
Hon Cho Wong, 82, of Hilo, a retired Hawaiian Telephone Co. supervisor, died Sunday at home. Born in Hilo, he is survived by wife Ruth O.T.L.; brothers Dewey H.F. and Charles H.L.; and sisters Aileene Y.K. and Bertha Y.U. Wong, Annie Y.C. Tanouye and Broadwin Y.U. Davis. Service: 2 p.m. Friday at Dodo Mortuary. Call after 1 p.m. Burial: Homelani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Rose Y.W. Wong, 80, of Lahaina died Nov. 23 at home. Born in Lahaina, she is survived by son Kenneth K.S.; daughters Deanna K.L. Cabatingan and Brenda M.G. Wong; brothers Edward W.C. and Buddy W.H. Ching; sisters Gladys "Cookie" Brown and Lily Tom; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Service: 11 a.m. Saturday at Nakamura Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Burial: Maui Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Yee Hoy Yuen, 93, of Honolulu, proprietor of the Nanking (Chinese furniture and gift shop) in Waikiki, died Nov. 25 in St. Francis Hospital. Born in Honolulu, he is survived by daughters Anna Pang and Jane Manley; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Service: 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 10:30 a.m. Burial to follow. Casual attire. No flowers.