WILLIAM C. HARR / LOCAL
COAST GUARD AUXILIARY LEADER

‘Papa’ dies at age 77,
guided the Malama Kai

SEE ALSO: OBITUARIES

---

By Mary Adamski
madamski@starbulletin.com

Many members of the 400-plus U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Hawaii remember training and search efforts aboard William C. "Papa" Harr's boat, the 41-foot two-engine "Malama Kai."

Over the years, good numbers of active-duty Coast Guard members also sought permission to come aboard for recreation, as respect and fondness for Harr brought together those in the service and their civilian support group.

Harr, 77, served in top auxiliary positions locally and was national commodore in 1987-88. He died Friday at home.

"He was stern about training but also polite about it," said Olive Deming, a friend and fellow auxiliary member. "All of us were trained very well; it was like clockwork. We did so many exercises with the Coast Guard, a lot of rescues."

Deming carried a camera on most auxiliary operations, and her scrapbooks will be shared at a celebration of Harr's life from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at his home. Among her souvenirs are a record of the time about 15 years ago when Harr led an auxiliary mission to take fuel and food to an active-duty Coast Guard boat that had run out of fuel 18 miles offshore.

Friends and family will gather Friday at 7082 Kalanianaole Hwy. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Coast Guard Foundation, 394 Taugwonk Rd., Stonington, CN 06378-1807. The ashes will be scattered at sea at a later date.

He is survived by daughters Margaret Bladet, Shawn Harr and Christine Smazenko; hanai daughters Frances Leilani and Roberta Erickson; grandchildren Robert and Dawn Bladet, Jennifer and Brian Smazenko; and close family friend Olive Deming.

Borthwick Mortuary handled arrangements.