William Kimi Jr., better known as “Uncle Billy,” hotel manager, business and local icon, died Friday. He was 93.
One of the island’s most well-known residents, Kimi had a number of landmark businesses, including the Uncle Billy’s Kona Bay Hotel in Kailua-Kona and Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel. He also managed Uncle Billy’s Fish and Steakhouse for 45 years, closing it in 2010 to spend more time with his family.
His niece, Noe Buchanan, remembered him as an “amazing man.”
“He was playful and youthful throughout all his life,” she said.
Kimi also owned the Kona Inn Shopping Village, developing strong relationships with business owners such as Jim Bill of GemFire. Bill operated his business in the village for decades, crediting Kimi with giving him a strong foundation for his jewelry business and serving as a model personality.
Other businesses included a burger joint on Maui and a war surplus store on Oahu.
He was honored with an Aikane Award by the Big Island Visitor’s Bureau in 2012.
“But his resume would fill pages: entrepreneur, importer, financier, retailer, wholesaler, developer, accountant and farmer, innkeeper, restaurant owner, art dealer, shopping center owner and more,” the citation read in recognition of the businessman. “His 70 years of entrepreneurial creativity, work and vision have provided jobs for hundreds of people in a multitude of businesses, as well as improving the Hilo and Kona communities. He has worked diligently to improve education and health care for the children of Hawaii.”
His family said he was the same Uncle Billy all the way to his final day.
“Uncle Billy has remained sharp as a tack until the end. We hope that all of his friends and friends of the family will allow us some time to process this loss,” the family said a press release.
Kimi was recognizable with his signature cap, baggy white shorts and aloha shirt, working six days a week most of his life, with efforts on both sides of the island.
Although some of his operations have closed, they left a mark on their community. The two hotels he built and opened have both become landmarks for navigation and popular rooms for kamaaina.
After the expiration of the leases for the land occupied by the Hilo hotel, the business was transferred to Peter Savio, who intends to rebrand it as Pagoda’s Hilo Bay Hotel.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources is planning to redevelop the land it and several other businesses sit on.
When the closure was announced, Kimi was quoted in a press release saying the spots are where it all began for him and his ohana.
“This is where it all started for my family,” he said. “I just wanted to have a business where my kids could work and build their families without having to leave home.”
That was true for many of his family members, as his grandson, Aaron Whiting, was the manager of the Hilo hotel, his daughter, Sandra Yokomizo, is the president of the Uncle Billy Holding Company and other family members worked, and continue to work, at various businesses.
Kimi was also involved in the Occupational Skills Program at Konawaena High School, which taught special education students work skills at the shopping village and hotel during the 1980s. They worked every weekday but Wednesday, in areas such as retailing, sales, cooking, laundry work, maintenance, housekeeping and construction work.
Although that specific program is no longer active at Konawaena, many of its ideas and practices have been integrated into modern activities, said principal Shawn Suzuki.
Kimi said at the time he helps because he “prefers to train people that don’t know anything” about the hotel business and wanted to help people improve their careers. He said he’s the same with his other employees, supporting them “anytime they can better themselves,” even if that means leaving his business.
That was one of his other stated goals for the hotels — to provide jobs for local people. In 2013, he was inducted into the Hawaii Restaurant Hall of Fame, the only Big Island nominee of the year.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Leilani, in 1993. He leaves six children, 17 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are pending, and the family said there would be services in Kona and Hilo.
“We want to be sure that everyone will have a memorable opportunity to share their condolences and bid their personal farewell to our ‘Uncle Billy’,” the family wrote in the release.
