Hawaii 24/7

MEDIA RELEASE “Peter” Frank Chi, a member of the University of Hawaii men’s swimming team, died Saturday, Oct. 6 from an apparent cardiac arrest. Chi, 19, was found unresponsive in his dorm room in the early morning hours and was admitted to Straub Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Chi had been earlier diagnosed […]

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Special to Hawaii 24/7 A descendant of Hawaiian royalty and well-known Kona realtor has succumbed to heart disease. Wattie Mae Hedemann, 84, died Nov. 15 at Kona Community Hospital. One of the first flight of female attendants for Hawaiian Airlines, mother of a Vietnam War hero and widow of an award-winning paniolo, Hedemann claimed descent […]

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U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement on the passing of University of Hawaii Law School Professor Jon Van Dyke. “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my very dear friend, Jon Van Dyke, a celebrated legal scholar, ardent defender of human rights and the environment, and beloved educator, […]

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Former Hawaii County Mayor Herbert Tatsuo Matayoshi, 82 passed away on July 11, 2011 at Straub Clinic & Hospital. He was born on November 21, 1928 in Hilo, Hawaii. He was first elected as a supervisor to the County of Hawaii in 1962, and continued as a county councilman from 1968 until he was elected […]

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Former Hawaii County Mayor Stephen Kai Yamashiro passed away Tuesday (May 24) at the age of 69. Yamashiro served as Mayor from 1992 to 2000.

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Friends, family and a slate of musicians gathered Saturday in Ocean View to celebrate the life of Buddy Fo, Hawaiian entertainer and 2003 Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

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Herb Kane, world-renowned Hawaii artist, historian and author, died Tuesday, March 8, Hawaii 24/7 has learned. Kane, who recently had been ill, was 82.

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MEDIA RELEASE The Office of the Lieutenant Governor has announced Lt. Governor James “Duke” Aiona’s mother, Frances Helena Lum Aiona, passed away due to natural causes Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010, at the age of 93. “My mom was my hero and our entire ohana is deeply saddened by her passing,” Aiona said. “She was an […]

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Services have been announced for two Big Island hula luminaries who died within a day of each other last month. * A funeral service for long-time Merrie Monarch Festival executive director Dorothy “Auntie Dottie” Thompson has been scheduled for Saturday, April 17 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hilo. Friends are invited to call from […]

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Less than 24 hours after the death of Dottie Thompson, the Big Island lost yet another hula standout in kumu hula Rae Kahiki Fonseca, aka Ray Fonseca. He was 56.

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Hilo treasure dedicated her life to perpetuating Hawaii culture through hula and her beloved Merrie Monarch festival

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MEDIA RELEASE Gov. Linda Lingle has ordered the Hawaii state flag to fly at half-staff at state and county buildings Saturday, Dec. 19, from sunrise to sunset, in honor of former state Sen. Stanley Hara, who died Dec. 1 at his Hilo home. Hara was elected as a representative to the Hawaii Territorial Legislature in […]

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Services for hula master George Naope are Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov.  7 at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo. The “Celebration of His Life” is 1-9 p.m. Friday, including a Roman Catholic service from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Following at 6:30 p.m. is a “Gift of Words,” a time when anyone is invited to share a […]

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Big Island kumu hula will be remembered for his role in creating Merrie Monarch Festival and his deep love of Hawaii’s performing arts

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