PATRICK KAWANO / COUNCIL CHAIRMAN

‘Straightforward’ Maui leader
known for helping people

Meeting to fill Kawano's seat
More obituaries

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By Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com

WAILUKU >> Maui County Council Chairman Patrick Kawano was the type who spoke his mind quite often, sometimes raising eyebrows of people unaccustomed to straight talk.

But friends say he was also a big supporter of programs that helped low-income people and the elderly.

Kawano, who would have been 72 tomorrow, died at his home in Kaunakakai, Molokai, early yesterday morning, after lingering complications from diabetes.

"Pat was always helping us out. When he told you he would support a program, you could take that to the bank," said Gladys Baisa, the executive director of Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.

"He will be missed."

While he seemed informal and homespun with his sometimes gruff talk, Kawano was a successful businessman, community organizer, and a canny politician.

"Molokai has lost someone who really loved the island. Anyone coming after him will have big shoes to fill," said Maui Mayor James "Kimo" Apana.

Although he came from a smaller island than Maui, he served on the council for 15 1/2 years and managed to hold on to his chairmanship for three terms, even after sickness prevented him from attending many meetings in the last year. He was originally elected as a Democrat, but the office is now nonpartisan.

Born and raised on Molokai, he graduated from Molokai High School and served in the military during the Korean War.

He later returned to Molokai and became a distributor for Pepsi until he sold his interest to a son.

Kawano helped in organizing the Aloha Festivals on Molokai for 38 years and also served as the island manager.

Kawano wanted to make this year his last year on the council and planned to retire to raise animals, including cows, geese and ducks, said Tina Thompson, one of his executive assistants.

"He loved his animals and would talk about them," she said.

Baisa said Kawano also liked helping people and he was accessible to many.

"He wanted to do good things," she said.

Baisa said she liked his no-nonsense discussions with her and how he would listen and then tell her whether he would support her budget request.

"Pat was very straightforward," she said.

Baisa said Kawano helped to secure support of $150,000 to help with evening transportation for kidney dialysis patients -- a service he benefited from in his waning months.

Kawano suffered several setbacks in his health in the last eight months, including amputations of his right, then his left foot, followed by a kidney failure and pneumonia, Thompson said.

Kawano decided to leave Maui Memorial Medical Center and return home to Molokai.

"He said enough is enough. I'm going home," Thompson said.

Services for Kawano will be held on Friday and Saturday at St. Sophia Catholic Church in Kaunakakai. Details are pending.

Kawano is survived by brothers Richard and Nelson; sister Kachan; sons Keith and Patrick Jr., daughters Adrienne, Nina, Tiana and Candice; and 11 grandchildren.