William Aka Hodgins - Thank you for Everything
June 29, 2021
Some of the best memories of Aka over the years. We'll miss you.
In Memory of William "Aka" Hodgins
June 23, 2021
William Arthur "Aka" Hodgins, 79, of Kīpū, Molokaʻi, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Kaunakakai, Hawaiʻi. Aka was born on September 18, 1941, to William Porter Hodgins and Wilda Alquist Hodgins in Lānaʻi City, HI.
Aka grew up in east Oʻahu, attended Punahou School and graduated with the class of 1959. He attended Montana State College and studied Agriculture Production. After college, Aka served in the United States Coast Guard before moving to Molokaʻi to take on the position of Molokaʻi Ranch Manager for 23 years. During his time as Ranch Manager, Aka helped establish the Wildlife Park as an environmental project covering 1,000 acres suitable for African and Asian game animals that thrived on the West End of Molokaʻi. He created Molokaʻi’s kiawe charcoal and raised honeybees for the coveted Molokaʻi honey. In 1986 he began Noio Fishing and Trading Co., and a freight forwarding business on Molokaʻi. Aka loved the outdoors and spent most of his free time hunting and fishing. This love connected Aka to friends around the world and adventures in faraway places like Australia and Brazil. His love of fishing would find Aka competing in numerous fishing tournaments in the islands, from catching big game fish at the Kona HIBT and Lahaina Jackpot tournaments to trolling for pāpio on the island he loved, Molokaʻi. He was well known as a brilliant storyteller, and famous for his classic jokes and punchlines.
Aka is survived by his wife, Pearl Alice Hodgins of Molokaʻi; children: Lyda Hodgins Liu of the Big Island, William Koa (Nohelani) Hodgins of Maui, William Porter (Pua) Hodgins of Molokaʻi, Lisa (Gregg) Sacca of CA, Bradley (Melissa) Totherow of Oʻahu, Burke (Robin) Totherow of Molokaʻi; 16 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren; siblings: Mary Helen (Jim) Higgins, Hannah Hodgins. He is preceded in death by his brother Thomas W. Hodgins.
The family will have a private gathering on Molokaʻi celebrating his life and spreading his ashes on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. (HST). Please join us wherever you are by raising your glass and giving a sendoff toast to Aka, “ʻŌkole maluna!”
He will be truly missed.
Aka grew up in east Oʻahu, attended Punahou School and graduated with the class of 1959. He attended Montana State College and studied Agriculture Production. After college, Aka served in the United States Coast Guard before moving to Molokaʻi to take on the position of Molokaʻi Ranch Manager for 23 years. During his time as Ranch Manager, Aka helped establish the Wildlife Park as an environmental project covering 1,000 acres suitable for African and Asian game animals that thrived on the West End of Molokaʻi. He created Molokaʻi’s kiawe charcoal and raised honeybees for the coveted Molokaʻi honey. In 1986 he began Noio Fishing and Trading Co., and a freight forwarding business on Molokaʻi. Aka loved the outdoors and spent most of his free time hunting and fishing. This love connected Aka to friends around the world and adventures in faraway places like Australia and Brazil. His love of fishing would find Aka competing in numerous fishing tournaments in the islands, from catching big game fish at the Kona HIBT and Lahaina Jackpot tournaments to trolling for pāpio on the island he loved, Molokaʻi. He was well known as a brilliant storyteller, and famous for his classic jokes and punchlines.
Aka is survived by his wife, Pearl Alice Hodgins of Molokaʻi; children: Lyda Hodgins Liu of the Big Island, William Koa (Nohelani) Hodgins of Maui, William Porter (Pua) Hodgins of Molokaʻi, Lisa (Gregg) Sacca of CA, Bradley (Melissa) Totherow of Oʻahu, Burke (Robin) Totherow of Molokaʻi; 16 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren; siblings: Mary Helen (Jim) Higgins, Hannah Hodgins. He is preceded in death by his brother Thomas W. Hodgins.
The family will have a private gathering on Molokaʻi celebrating his life and spreading his ashes on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. (HST). Please join us wherever you are by raising your glass and giving a sendoff toast to Aka, “ʻŌkole maluna!”
He will be truly missed.