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Satellite imagery and radar-based forecasts are what weather watchers have come to expect, but when Saul Price was an official weather researcher in Hawaii, it was hands-on meshing of mathematics and maps. Longtime state
Journalist Bonnie Wiley
meteorologist Saul
Price dies
More obituariesBy Mary Adamski
Star-BulletinPrice retired in 1992 after 47 years with the National Weather Service. A year later, he said in an interview, "It's a terrible time to leave meteorology" as new technology brings accuracy to storm tracking and rainfall predicting.
He spent 42 years in Hawaii, a resource not only for news reporters preparing weather stories but for government agencies and agriculture and other businesses.
Price and Edith, his wife of 52 years, moved to Sarasota, Fla., after his retirement. He died yesterday at the age of 83.
"Back when he started, there was no such thing as satellites," said Richard Hagemeyer, National Weather Service Pacific Regional director. "Communications were relatively sparse, the data we had available didn't begin to compare with today. We sat with pen in hand and analyzed maps here.
"We now get volumes of data generated in Washington."
Price had many opportunities to experience the thrill of new technology during his career. He was on the team at a Kaena Point station monitoring output from the first Tyros weather satellite launched on April 1, 1960.
He said later when meteorologists saw those first photographs, they were so excited they wanted to publish them immediately. Forecasters previously had to rely on scattered observations from ships and islands for Pacific forecasts.
In 1957, he was assigned to the Mauna Loa Observatory, where measurement of atmospheric carbon dioxide reveals global warming and climate changes.
He was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He also was a research associate at the University of Hawaii Geophysics Institute.
Hagemeyer said: "Over the years, Saul created a wealth of knowledge. He had a lot of jobs, starting as hydrologist at the old forecast office. He was the first climatologist for Hawaii. In later years, he was staff meteorologist for a number of years.
"He was our institutional memory," said Hagemeyer. "He could answer a spectrum of questions about Hawaii weather. When somebody needed information that most people had forgotten, Saul had the answer. He was very quiet, very thorough ... a marvelous person and one of most gentle souls I've known."
The Prices were members of Temple Emanu-El, said Ida Ringel, a friend. "Saul would like to talk about the weather. He was very bright, but quiet, not effusive. He was a sweet, likable person."
Price was born in New York and was a graduate of New York City College.
He is survived by his wife, Edith H.; son Robert of Honolulu and daughter Jacqueline Baumberger of Switzerland.
Services will be in Switzerland, according to information from Palms Funeral Home in Sarasota.
Retired University of Hawaii journalism professor Bonnie Wiley didn't have to use textbook resources, she had pioneering experiences of her own to share. Pioneering journalist
More obituaries
Bonnie Wiley dies at 90By Mary Adamski
Star-BulletinWiley covered the World War II battle on Iwo Jima, the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay and the war crimes arraignment of Gen. Tomokuki Yamashita in Manila. She was the only woman combat correspondent for the Associated Press in the Pacific during World War II.
Wiley died Saturday at Arcadia Retirement Residence at the age of 90.
"She was kind of modest about it, she didn't boast about the experience," recalled Gerald Kato, a UH associate journalism professor. "It would come up in conversation and you could tell she was proud that she had served. She would tell about how AP offered her the job of Hollywood correspondent and she said that's not for her, she wanted to cover the war."
University of Hawaii associate professor Beverly Keever said Wiley, whose first newspaper job was in 1927, "was a pioneer for a woman journalist. When she got into it, it was a (male) gendered occupation. She didn't care about the celebrity part, she just really liked journalism."
Ah Jook Ku, an Associated Press reporter in 1945 when she met Wiley, said her friend's experiences make up a chapter in a 1989 book, "Women War Correspondents of World War II," by Lilya Wagner.
"When she got out of the war, she was tired. She decided she had never studied journalism, and she went back to college to earn her degree," Ku said.
Wiley earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington, a master's degree from Columbia University and a doctorate in journalism from Southern Illinois University in 1965. She retired in 1975 after 10 years on the UH faculty, but continued as an educator. She helped develop the American Samoa Community College and returned to UH to teach students from China in the Parvin Fellows program.
She was 78 when she took a position as editorial adviser with Xinhua News Agency in Beijing. "She said people my age go on cruises, this is my cruise," said retired Star-Bulletin news editor Charles Frankel.
She was given a UNESCO award in 1989 for outstanding contributions to international journalism. In 1985, Wiley was given the George Lucas memorial award for her role in fostering the UH student newspaper.
Wiley was born in Portland, Ore., and grew up in Yakima, Wash. She is survived by a niece.
Services and burial will be in Yakima. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Oct. 20 at the University of Hawaii campus.
Margarita Q. Albares, 76, of Waipahu died Sept. 17. She was born in North Kohala, Hawaii. She is survived by companion Rufo Locquiao. Private services.
Edith H.H. Aumua, 74, of Laie, a retired church custodian for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Visitors Center in Laie, died Sunday. She was born in Vaitoloa, Western Samoa. She is survived by husband Telefoni; sons Telefoni Jr. and Roy; daughters Susannan "Sue," Penina Tafiti and Margaret Tupu; sister Salema Masoe, 21 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Services: 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Laie Ninth Ward. Call after 10 a.m. Burial: Laie Cemetery. Sunday best attire.
Wilbert E. "Pete" Camacho, 64, of Orlando, Fla., died Sept. 21 in Florida. He was born in Schofield. He is survived by companion Carmen "Kanoe" Kaneakua; son Duane; daughters Roxanne Chong, Denise Rivers, Luanne Vasconcellos and Leanne Derige; brothers Harold and Frank; sisters Lydia Saunders, Dorothy Helms and Hilda Messinger, and 11 grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 6 p.m. Private burial. Casual attire.
Geraldine T.Y. Chong, 70, of Ewa Beach died Sept. 21 in Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by daughters Muriel P. Bolusan and Annette G.L. Chong; sisters Muriel M. Y. Chong, Maryn Yee, Alyce Richardson, Leatrice Kahalekulu, Rose Sandy, Esther Peters and Constance Prange; brothers Charles and Richard, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Wake services: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the mortuary. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Shiro Date, 84, of Honolulu, a retired driver salesman for Foremost Dairy, died Aug. 12. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Asao; son Dennis; brothers Richard and Itsuo, and sisters Elsie Dang and Miyoko Hebaru. Private services.
Aurelio V. Domingo, 97, of Koloa, Kauai, a laborer for Grove Farm Co., died yesterday at home. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by wife Epifania M.; sons Aurel M. and Ron M., and two grandchildren. Private services.
Delicitee J. "Lici" Escober, 2, of Waipahu died last Friday in St. Francis-West Medical Center. She was born in Lihue. She is survived by parents Rommel Escober and Tracy Hodges, and grandparents Roberto and Lolita Escober, Darla Worcester and Mark Clemons. Services: noon Monday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call after 11 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park.
Marcella M. Greening, 79, formerly of Honolulu died Saturday in Phoenix. She was born in Vallejo, Calif. Services held.
Frank N. Kimata, 82, of Honolulu, a retired specification specialist for the city Finance Department, died Wednesday in Kuakini Medical Center. He was born in Hana, Maui. He is survived by wife Kimiyo; sons Glenn T. and Brian I.; brother Tadao Kimata; sister Merle Umebayashi, and two grandchildren. Memorial services: 4 p.m. Monday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.
Joseph K. "Uncle Joe" Kubo, 66, of Honolulu, a meat cutter for Beretania Safeway, died Wednesday in Kuakini Medical Center. He was born in Kaneohe. He is sur vived by wife Patsy I.; daughters Kelly Ann N. Kurakake and Terri Lynn K. Kubo; brother Sadami; sisters Flora Kalaluhi and May Wood, and two grandchildren. Services: 8 p.m. Monday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Inurnment: Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire. No flowers.
Josephine "Leilani" Kuhau, 63, of Honolulu, a professional Hawaiian entertainer, died Tuesday in Honolulu. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by husband Joseph "Kep"; sons Robert and Randy; daughter Joelyn "Keano" Francisco; brothers Merlin and John Ferreira; sister Dorothy Gerard and nine grandchildren. Mass: 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Call after 9 a.m. Private scattering of ashes. Aloha attire. Leis only.
Ruth S. Kuwata, 88, of Honolulu, a retired teacher for the state Department of Education, died Sept. 17 in Queen's Medical Center. She is survived by sisters Gladys Yakuma and Dorothy Kimura. Private services.
George R. Medeiros, 89, of Kaneohe died Sunday in Kaneohe. He was born on Maui. He is survived by sons George and Ronald; sister Alice Wymer, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Mass: 10:45 a.m. Monday at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire.
Chester M. Nakahashi, 73, of Wailuku died Monday in Wailuku. He was born in Hana, Maui. He is survived by wife Olive L.; sons Chester Jr., Sheldon and Duane; daughters Kathleen Villaverde, Joycelyn Victorino and Valerie Tacdol; sister Nancy Tonai, 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Rosary: 7 p.m. Monday at Norman's Chapel. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Prayer services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the chapel. Call from 9 to 10 a.m. Burial: Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire.
Chokei Oshiro, 96, of Kahaluu, a retired poultry farmer, died Saturday in Nuuanu Hale Care Home. He was born on Okinawa. He is survived by wife Yoshie; sons Clarence T., Paul Y., Donald S., Allen I. and Anthony C.; daughters Mildred A. Okamura, Jeanne K. Karnuth and Carol M. Murakami; sisters Tsuruko Ishikawa and Misao Takushi, 16 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Services: 6 p.m. Wednesday at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Casual attire. No flowers.
Juan Pe Benito Planas, 72, of Eleele, Kauai is also survived by brother Gregorio Planas Kaumakani. The additional information was provided by the mortuary.
Julia Rapozo, 99, of Kapaa, Kauai died Wednesday in Samuel Mahelona Hospital. She was born in Kealia, Kauai. She is survived by brother Raymond Souza; sister Olivia Kanae; son Raymond; daughter Winona Aona, 10 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Services: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Catherine's Church. Call from 9 to 9:15 a.m. Burial: St. Catherine's Church. Casual attire.
Alfred L. Usita, 88, of Honolulu died Tuesday in Kuakini Geriatric Care Facility. He was born in the Philippines. He is survived by sons Gregory and Christopher; daughters Alycer Boehning, Ouida Y. Morris and Fredrica Foytich; sisters Elena Nunes and Maura Flores, 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Mass: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Pius X Church. Call after 8:30 a.m. Burial: Valley of the Temples. Aloha attire.
Eileen A. Wold, 64, of Hawaiian Paradise Park died Wednesday at home. She was born in Nome, N.D. She is survived by husband Pedar, sons Truman and Erik, daughter Randi Wold-Brennon, brother Albert Prestrude, sister Hazel Brehm and three grandchildren. Memorial services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Christ Lutheran Church, 595 Kapiolani St. in Hilo. Casual attire.
You can also search the Hawaii State Library System's
Hawaii Newspaper Index online for older obituaries at:
http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/education/hcc/library/hiindex.html
The index, which goes back several decades,
is available via Telnet software.