Kenoi honored by Hawaiian Homes Commission resolution

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.

HHC Chairman William Aila Jr. said he wanted to acknowledge Kenoi’s “accomplishments as a native Hawaiian and his status as homesteader.”

“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.