The end of each year ushers in the reflection of the past and the contemplation of the future.
An inevitable part of that reflection includes acknowledging the passing of notable people in our community who are recognized in various public forums in memorial. In that respectful spirit, I'd like to share two of those who had made on impression on me personally and have left us all this past year.
The following is a personal perspective of these remarkable individuals whom I engaged with over the years on the radio and more.
John Henry Felix.
I met with John Henry over the years in his service as a Honolulu City Councilmember. He was a rare commodity in Hawai‘i politics. Despite the non-party designation of the office, John Henry was a Republican. And it didn't matter. His respect from virtually all superseded party politics as all sides of all aisles sought his wisdom and support. There was not one moment I can recall of John Henry ever raising his voice while engaged in debate or discussion. He epitomized my definition of a statesman where the entire public was his priority of service. Of course there are issues of disagreement with elected officials. I was not a fan of his initiative to ban smoking as an example. But the articulation of his rationale and respectful interactions is a vivid reminder of how politics once were. It is rare to find in today's world.
His love and support of our US military is profound as was his passion for the Boy Scouts of America. He once said earning Eagle Scout status as a young man was one of his proudest moments and was foundational as he dedicated his life to serve so many. I know that the Pacific Club was his breakfast home, but I would also encounter John Henry downtown at the old Plaza Club during his later days. Despite his growing age John Henry remained an important and essential part of his city, state and beyond with organizations and groups for both non-profit and private sector.
It was an honor to make John Henry Felix's acquaintance. He was 94.
Cliff Slater.
Cliff's name was synonymous with rail, but he was so much more.
Cliff Slater was born in England, served in the Royal Air Force and arrived in Hawai‘i in his 20s. He connected with two businessmen and together they created Maui Divers. A jewelry division was established with Cliff at the helm, and it rapidly outperformed the diving company and Maui Divers grew to 30-plus retail outlets statewide. Cliff centralized jewelry manufacturing in Honolulu which made him acutely aware of city issues including transportation.
The 1960s saw the inception and rise of rail. Years of debate, discussion and failed objectives plagued the idea that increased congestion necessitated a rail system. A federally funded rail analysis report of a $340,000 grant morphed to a cost of over $1 million and years of delays.
Hmmm, sound familiar?
The process was, well, just a process, but the long-delayed analysis report concluded that Honolulu was in need of a 29-mile rail system generating ridership that would pay for the entire project. This report was released in 1968.
Years of wrangling took place and sides of both pro and anti rail developed.
It was in 1983 that Cliff went public with his opposition culminating in a 1990 opinion piece in the then Honolulu Star Bulletin stating the rail project (cost estimate then of over $1 billion) would, "...become a fiscal black hole that we and our children would regret for years to come" and would not relieve congestion.
By 1991 the projected cost of rail was at $1.8 billion and the decision to either fund or defeat the project came to the Honolulu City Council in 1992. In one of the most controversial votes in modern day politics Councilmember Rene Mansho broke the 4-4 with her no vote thereby defeating the rail project.
Much of the activism and public documentation was led by Cliff and others who were also passionately dedicated to the outcome.
As you know a megaproject of this magnitude would not be denied and the present iteration of the rail project is still underway. We find ourselves now decades and billions of dollars later still enmeshed in the most prolonged and expensive public works project in history.
But not without the tireless amount of personal time and money that Cliff willingly invested to educate and activate locals about this entire concept. Before his passing Cliff authored his book in 2023 (the latest of many), "Transit: It's Growth, Decline and Pending Demise." This work exhaustively documents virtually every step of the history of rail in Honolulu with hundreds of postscripts and reference sources.
Cliff Slater, a military man, businessman, author and activist leaves a legacy of service, education and, yes, prognostication on the behalf of the people of his community.
He was 92.
There were sadly others who have left us in 2025.
Representative Gene Ward, 82.
Sports Reporter Cindy Luis, 70.
Local musician Fiji (George Brooks Veikoso), 55.
Sports broadcaster Bobby Curran, 69.
UH sports broadcaster Don Robbs, 88.
I am certain there are other public and not so public figures whose departure is of great importance and loss to you. My heart goes out to you and yours and I'm prayerful you will find solace and peace in their memories.
The year 2025 is coming to an end.
The year 2026 is moments away.
I wish you and those you know and love a blessed and very Happy New Year.
Aloha.
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