HILO — Randy Hongo, a Hilo-born Christian recording artist and six-time Na Hoku Hanohano award-winner, died Saturday morning in Honolulu. He was 70.
He and his wife, Gay — who was his musical partner, as well — met at Kalihi Union Church and have been members of the congregation for more than five decades.
The Hongos founded Christian Vision ministry in 1982 and traveled worldwide with their music.
The Rev. Jonathan Steeper, senior pastor of Kalihi Union Church, said Hongo, who battled multiple myeloma, a blood and bone cancer, for a number of years, collapsed en route to a performance at a senior’s home in Honolulu.
“He was local,” Steeper said Monday. “He loved people. He loved the islands, every part of the islands. He had a heart of aloha, and he cared about expressing that aloha to people through music. … He was able to bridge ethnic groups globally, in the mission field, and locally, with all kinds of denominations and groups that wouldn’t have otherwise connected. He used the music that way, as well.”
Word of Hongo’s passing spread quickly via social media.
Kuuipo Kumukahi, a Hilo-born musician living in Honolulu, posted on Facebook early Sunday: “Randy Hongo my Hilo bruddah — do you love me? Please tell my parents I love and miss them. I love you Gay and Andrew.”
Andrew is Randy and Gay Hongo’s son, who lives on the mainland.
“Ohhhhh how sad. My deepest condolences to Gay and Andrew,” posted Melveen Leed, arguably the best known Hawaiian woman vocalist of her generation.
Steel guitarist Alan Akaka also offered his condolences to Hongo’s wife and son and added, “Rest In Peace and Aloha brother Randy Hongo.”
And Patrick Kahawaiolaa, president of the Keaukaha Community Association in Hilo, wrote, “Religious music maker icon just left for a large venue. Randy and Gay Hongo has touched so many through their music.”
Visitation is at 9 a.m. Saturday (Dec. 23) at Kalihi Union Church, 2214 N. King St. in Honolulu.
Service is at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.