The Hawaiian Homes Commission adopted a resolution honoring the late former Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi at its monthly meeting on Tuesday.
Kenoi, 52, died Jan. 26 of from myelofibrosis, a rare form of leukemia, at his Mountain View home.
The resolution compared the public speaking prowess of Kenoi, a noted orator, to that of Prince Jonah KuhioKalanianaʻole, who spearheaded the effort resulting in the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920.
“He was a tremendous orator and I never wanted to follow him on a public speaking agenda,” Aila said. “Billy was a tough act to follow.”
Kenoi became co-lessee of the homestead he grew up on at Makuu Farm Lots in Puna when his father died in 1999.
“He was a tremendous orator and I never wanted to follow him on a public speaking agenda,” Aila said. “Billy was a tough act to follow.”
Kenoi became co-lessee of the homestead he grew up on at Makuu Farm Lots in Puna when his father died in 1999.