Tony Pu

Tony Pu passed away at his home in Hana, Maui on Monday August 18th, 2025 at the age of 69. Born Anthony James Pu in Honolulu on August 4, 1956 to Patricia Mae Pu (Ferreira) of Honolulu and Daniel Pu, Sr. of Hana. Tony grew up fishing and diving along the Wai anae coast, his "old stomping grounds" as he used to call it. The second oldest of five siblings, he took on jobs at a young age to help support his family. He was in the first graduating class of Nanakuli High in 1974 and attended the University of Hawai i at Hilo. He eventually returned to Hana, his ancestral home, where he worked as an electrician. Tony was deeply involved in Hawaiian grassroots efforts. He joined the Pohaku Corporation, and worked closely with other pivotal figures in the Hawaiian Rennaisance movement. With Pohaku he faught to end the bombing of Kaho olawe, helped to establish Kanewai Lo i at the University of Hawai i at Manoa, and later worked with Uncle John and Aunty Twitty Lind to establish Kapahu living farm in Kipahulu. One of Tony s crowning acheivements was to preserve the ahupua a known as Mu olea. Mu olea was the summer home of King David Kalakaua and is one of the only known habitats of the endemic anenome known as Limu-make-o-Hana (palythoa toxica). Tony, Eric Kanaka ole, and Manuel Arriaga, created a small non-profit known as Ho onipa a No Hana, which spearheaded the effort in seeing that these 70 acres of land were placed into trust. Among other things, Tony Pu also served as secretary/treasurer of Hui Aina o Hana, he was a past president of the Hana Community Association, he participated in Alu Like's programs, and served as a director of Ka Pilina o Hana (land trust). He met and married his wife Susan (Susie) John in 1986. Together they had 3 children. In 1990 they acquired Hana Tropicals, a 2-acre export nursery and tropical flower business which they owned until 2005. After selling their business, Tony returned to his electrical work and also worked as a groundskeeper for Hana Kai Maui. Soon they purchased a short-term rental unit at Hana Kai, making Tony Hana Kai s first (and only) native Hawaiian owner. They eventually sold the condo In 2012 in order to purchase land in Koali, originally the Pu family s kuleana land. Buying back his family land was a major point of pride. Tony spent his last years at his property in Koali, alongside both his immediate and extended family, affectionately nick-naming his little community "Pu-ville". He took great pride in his lawn, which he spent countless hours maintaining. Tony had many hobbies, including raising acquarium fish, collecting antiques, stamp collecting, playing poker with his friends, and growing various plants. Tony Pu was a generous hard-working Hawaiian man, a loyal friend, a great story-teller, a dedicated father and husband, and pillar of our St. Mary's Church. His kindness and support will be greatly missed by all. He was preceded in death by his father Daniel Pu Sr. and mother Patricia Crawford (Pu). He is survived by his wife, Susie, his three children, Alicia Mahealani Gonsalves (Tyson), Margaret Pu (Kanoa) and Raymond R. Rapanui Pu, his seven grandchildren ("His People"), brothers Daniel Pu Jr., Walter Pu (Esther) and sisters Tracy Pu-Kim (Greg) and Tricia Gonzalez (Hector), along with many other freinds and family members, most especially his Hana nieces and nephew: Wailena, Uluwehi and Joe Pu. Tony had many hanai keiki throughout his life and mentored many. A celebration of life will be held on September 13th at St. Mary s Church, Hana, Maui. Family visitation at 8:00 AM and public visitation from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Mass to follow. In lieu of flowers please make donations to: St Mary s Church "Tony Pu Memorial Building Fund" P.O Box 219 Hana, HI 96713 Ph: (808) 248-8030