Her determined efforts
helped Waianae children

Margaret Apo / Waianae community leader

SEE ALSO: OBITUARIES

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By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com

Tenacious. Persevering. Tireless. Margaret Ka'a'a Apo was all those and more when working to improve conditions in Waianae, says Adelaide "Frenchy" DeSoto. "She wanted to make changes and she did," said DeSoto, who worked with Apo as a member of the federally funded Waianae Model Cities Program.

"She was a role model for many people including myself."

Apo died in Makaha on July 15. She was 92.

Apo, born and raised in Honolulu, graduated from Lahainaluna High School. She obtained a bachelor's degree in 1975 and a master's degree in public administration from Central Michigan University two years later. Apo spent 28 years in federal government administration.

Apo served in many leadership roles including president of the Waianae Hawaiian Civic Club and chairwoman of the Waianae Neighborhood Board. During the early 1970s, she was the deputy director for the Waianae Model Cities Program designed to improve social and economic conditions from Nanakuli to Kaena Point.

Former Kamehameha Schools trustee Henry Peters, who served as the director of the program, said, "She was a very gracious lady. Moreover, "she had the ability to persuade and be a leader and pull people together," Peters added.

Apo had a "very deep love for the Hawaiian community and for children," he said.

Earlier, she had taught Hawaiian language and music at the Waianae Hawaiian Heritage Culture Center. Apo had previously taught at Kamehameha School in Lahaina.

For 18 years, Apo served as a member of the state Board of Education. She was also a member of the Business and Professional Women's Club and the Hale O Na Alii Royal Society.

Countless books were donated by Apo to Waianae schools, said Agnes Cope, who knew Apo for 50 years.

Her donations benefited many children in the Waianae community, said Cope, who was involved in the Waianae Model Cities Program.

Apo's nephew, James Manaku Sr., a member of the Waianae Neighborhood Board, said, "She touched many, many lives. That's for sure."

Apo is survived by her husband Peter, daughters Margaret Apo Wilhelm Brennan and Leialoha Apo Perkins; sons Samuel and Peter who is a former state legislator, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Services for Apo will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. The service will start at 7 p.m. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at the mortuary. Burial will be held at 1 p.m. at Hawaiian Memorial Park. Aloha attire.