Alice Moon, a longtime local event organizer and former Hilo Downtown Improvement Association executive director, died Monday at her Keaukaha home after a brief bout with cancer. She was 59.
Moon’s sister, Sarah, praised her as “a visionary” who helped make downtown Hilo a community gathering place.
“She’s always been an advocate for downtown Hilo, wanting to preserve its unique character, supporting the merchants, creating events … that were community oriented,” Sarah Moon said.
The event that became Alice Moon’s signature was Black and White Night, which began small and grew into an annual street fair that drew thousands to downtown Hilo and made money for businesses that stayed open during the event.
“It started with about five merchants on Keawe Street, one of which was me,” said Jeffrey Mermel, the retired founder of the Fireplace & Home Center and chairman of Hilo Downtown Improvement Association.
Other events Alice Moon organized included the annual Hilo Chinese New Year Festival at Kalakaua Park.
“I was always just astounded at the festivals she would throw; they were so complete and put on with mostly volunteers,” said Janette “Jan” Moon, Alice Moon’s mother, who described her daughter as “warmhearted, funny, smart (and) able to converse with anybody.”
Alice Moon was born in Champaign, Ill., and came to Hilo with her family at age 4. She tended bar at the former KK Tei, Apple Annie’s and Harrington’s, the latter while earning an English degree with honors at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. She also worked for the Hilo Main Street program and as a community relations coordinator at the former Hilo Borders Books store.
Mermel said it was “unfortunate” HDIA had to let Moon go last year due to loss of funding.
“She was an effective voice to businesses, to other nonprofits, and to the county on behalf of downtown,” he said.
News of her passing spread quickly on Facebook.
Ukuleleist Kris Fuchigami wrote that Moon booked one of his first gigs at 14, and he will “always remember her for her kind heart and her willingness to help.”
Clay Callaway, a community theater actor and director, said Moon’s “influence and effect on downtown Hilo will remain for future generations.”
Alice Moon is also survived by another sister, Ruth Moon, and two nieces.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, at Carlsmith Beach Park in Keaukaha.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.