James Kaheakamanaookaleookalani Beckley, 74, of Hilo, died March 9, 2013, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Aug. 3, 1938, in Maunaala, The Royal Mausoleum, Nuuanu, Oahu, he was a Kamehameha Schools and University of Hawaii graduate. He worked in a variety of jobs, including teacher and story teller with American Hawaii Cruises, a hula, Hawaiian language and kupuna program resource for the Abigail Kekaulike Kawananakoa Foundation, a senior guide and custodian at Hulihee Palace, a host, night duty manager and social director at Kona Village Resort, assistant director for Petroglyphs of Hawaii, general manager and marketing director for Art Hunt’s International Inn and an accounts payable clerk for Del Monte Corporation, a mail clerk for the Hawaiian Trust Company.
James Kaheakamanaookaleookalani Beckley, 74, of Hilo, died March 9, 2013, at Hilo Medical Center. Born Aug. 3, 1938, in Maunaala, The Royal Mausoleum, Nuuanu, Oahu, he was a Kamehameha Schools and University of Hawaii graduate. He worked in a variety of jobs, including teacher and story teller with American Hawaii Cruises, a hula, Hawaiian language and kupuna program resource for the Abigail Kekaulike Kawananakoa Foundation, a senior guide and custodian at Hulihee Palace, a host, night duty manager and social director at Kona Village Resort, assistant director for Petroglyphs of Hawaii, general manager and marketing director for Art Hunt’s International Inn and an accounts payable clerk for Del Monte Corporation, a mail clerk for the Hawaiian Trust Company.
He was in the Army National Guard for three years at Fort Ruger in Honolulu, was a King Kamehameha Celebration Commissioner for Hawaii Island, president and chairman of Ahuena Inc., a member of the Prince David Kawananakoa Civic Club in Hilo, a past president and lifetime member of the Kona Hawaiian Civic Club, alumni, Kamehameha School, Aha Hui O Na Hoolulu, member Lauhala O Kona and Gatorade Ironman-Triathlon races parade chairman from 1990 to 1998.
Visitation will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. March 30 at the Hilo Stake Center, 1373 Kilauea Ave., followed by a funeral Service at 11:30 a.m. Additional services will be held on Oahu. Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. April 1 at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary in Kaneohe, with a service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9 to 10:30 a.m. April 2 at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary with a service at 10:30 a.m.; burial to follow noon at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. The family requests Aloha attire.
He is survived by his wife, Theresa Kalama Beckley, sister, Frances Ohelo; five stepchildren and spouses; 24 grandchildren; many uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Arrangements by Dodo Mortuary, Inc. – Hilo Branch and Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary, Kaneohe.