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Well-known throughout the media community for his business acumen, Edwin K.P. Wong gave strong backing to television production facilities here, particularly Hawaii Production Center, contributing greatly to the growth of Hawaii's TV industry. Wong, 75, helped
build television
in HawaiiOBITUARIES
By Harold Morse
Star-BulletinWong, 75, a retired KGMB-TV vice president, died Wednesday at his Honolulu home.
The Honolulu-born Wong began his professional career on March 12, 1946, as an accountant with Hawaiian Broadcasting System, also known then as KGMB Radio. In 1952, Hawaiian Broadcasting System became KGMB-TV.
Wong later became its vice president/controller under the ownership of Cec Heftel. He retired from KGMB-TV on May 31, 1989, after a total of 43 years with the company.
He also was a pillar of the Honolulu Shriners Hospital for Children, having joined the Shriners in 1988 as a Masonic member of Le Progre Lodge. He went on to join the Royal Order of Jesters and the Aloha Temple.
His Masonic service included key service on committees and membership on the board of governors. In 1995, he was appointed as treasurer and chairman of the budget and finance committee. In 1998, he became a board of governors emeritus member. His Shriners activity also included countless hours of fund-raising efforts and other volunteer work to help the crippled and disabled children of Hawaii and the Pacific.
He became a board member of Hawaii Public Television in 1999 and a director of Rhino Event Marketing in 2000, handling all business and financial affairs for the new sports marketing company in Hawaii.
An Army veteran, Wong was honorably discharged in 1946.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Violet; sons Gregory and Gerald; daughter Glenna; brother James; and sisters Agnes Leong and Linda Au Tagawa.
Services will be at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Scottish Rite Temple at 1611 Kewalo St. Call after 4 p.m. Private burial and graveside services take place at 10 a.m. Friday at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery.