Wayne Yoshioka / HPR
Updated 1/27/21, 11:58 a.m.
Former Hawaiʻi County Mayor Billy Kenoi died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer. He was 52.
Governor David Ige called him "an energetic and inspirational leader who had a knack for bringing people together. His death is a huge loss for our community."
Senate President Ron Kouchi called Kenoi "a dedicated public servant who deeply cared about the people of Hawaiʻi." Adding that "even in the midst of his own health challenges, Billy continued to inspire those around him with his warm sense of humor and gift of oratory."
Kenoi was first elected as mayor of Hawaiʻi County in 2008, and was reelected for a second term.