WILLIAM KA'ANA'ANA KOKI II

Was listening to Keali's Reichel's last song on the 'Ke'alaokamaile' album "Goodbye My Friend" and with a tear in my eye wanted to commemorate his anniversary with sharing a memory of when we were younger men. The "icing on the cake" was when I flipped the album over to verify the song, Keali'i's photo looks just like Will! -------------------------------------------- It was nearing the mid 90's and a number of years since I had moved to San Francisco. I was doing quite well as a graphic...

I knew Will from 5th grade when I came to Aiea & we attended ("went") Gus Webling Elementary just a couple blocks up the street from his home. When you're 10 years old stuff like ethnicity didn't resonate as much, but to this day I consider myself blessed from having a true half Hawaiian, Japanese & Chinese friend. Will embodied the selflessness and generosity of giving whatever he had and you could consider it yours. From li hing mui (crack seed - lemon peel...), beef jerky, or...

I am so sad with this new. Wil was a good mentor and role model of mine at HCIL. I looked up to him. He was a good guy to work with. Rest in aloha, Wil. My deepest condolences to his family.