WILLIAM KOKI Obituary

Was listening to Keali's Reichel's last song on the 'Ke'alaokamaile' album "Goodbye My Friend" and with a tear in my eye wanted to commemorate his anniversary with sharing a memory of when we were younger men. The "icing on the cake" was when I flipped the album over to verify the song, Keali'i's photo looks just like Will!
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It was nearing the mid 90's and a number of years since I had moved to San Francisco. I was doing quite well as a graphic designer, replete with a collection of high end friends working at, or consulting for, one of the country's top design firms of it's day, Landor Associates.
We were young men trying to make a stake in our lives, hailing from different parts of the country: Arizona, KC/MO, Korea, me from Hawaii, and of course, a couple of Californios from the Bay Area. These were the members of the infamous 'Hawaii Boy's Trip' where, as MidWest Matthew christened, "Nothing Leaves the Island".
Will was always working from a young age, helping out at the family business. During the summer of our trip he was with a medium/small hotel in the heart of Waikiki and totally hooked us up with the penthouse suite! Me & my SF friends were blown away with not only the multi roomed suite, but its central location and all the accommodations.
Through his connections & Ohana he got us tickets to see Roland & Robert, the Brothers Cazimero, in the grand ballroom at the Royal Hawaiian. And at the table next to us was a women's canoe club, and we got to...well, "Nothing Leaves the Island". But it was nothing less than a magical night that I will never forget.
When it came time to go back to San Francisco we went to check out and it was crazy as all that was due was the hotel tax!?!? OMG, crazy crazy! We had to literally tackle Will & stuff some cash into his pocket; this yet another sample and testimony to his nature of taking care of others, and his kokua.
From me, the Feral Hawaiian, the haole boys, the PI & the Korean, a big mahalo from da past. Your legacy lives on here, although you're in that better place.
Mahlo nui loa,
Miss you Bruddah Will

I knew Will from 5th grade when I came to Aiea & we attended ("went") Gus Webling Elementary just a couple blocks up the street from his home.
When you're 10 years old stuff like ethnicity didn't resonate as much, but to this day I consider myself blessed from having a true half Hawaiian, Japanese & Chinese friend. Will embodied the selflessness and generosity of giving whatever he had and you could consider it yours. From li hing mui (crack seed - lemon peel...), beef jerky, or pipikaula through buying me Huli burgers from Shiro's, or Zip Packs from Zippy's, I've always benefited from his generosity and giving nature.
Later, as teens, I scrounged many a cigarette, countless beers, and untold pounds of "da kine" from his "what's mines is yours" spirit and island style.
My early teen years were super tough with the passing of my biological mother at the age of 14. Hanging out with Will and his ohana was pivotal getting through difficult times. I still hold closely in my heart fond memories of Vicky & Carmen from the mid 70's and will never forget the fun and cathartic times we all shared.
[Hey Nena, I still remember the magic eggplant that was able to heal your cute little hand! I knew you since diapers and you and your cute toddler voice left indelible & priceless memories I'll always treasure!]
It was the mid 70's and the new "Island Wave" sound with groups like Kalapana, Cecilio & K a p o n o, etc. were sweeping the island contemporary music scene. The Koki's, being such a good looking family, were carried along too with Josh's affinity for the Waikiki club scene, or, Vicky partying with Mackey Feary & Co.
I can't believe our friend Will has gone on...he is one of my closest Hawaii friends that I was sure I'd be able to reconnect with in the near future. The stuff we've been through, memories we've shared, are examples of "reality being more profound than fiction"!
The dew on the cane grass as we (Dean, Scotty, you & me) quietly walked along the dirt road on the North Shore as we collected Magic Mushrooms...
...or that epic Labor Day weekend in '77 where we went camping via "Da Bus" at Laie for days before entering our senior year. I lay claim to coordinating a major fund raiser by scouring our rooms and having a substance funding sale at "Kam Drive Inn" the week before. Won't even begin to list the assortment of illicits, but please understand this was the 70's and we were teenagers.
My sincere condolences & sympathies for the Hawaii family & friends with the loss of a truly great Island son. Will, I was sure to see you soon, and sorry that never transpired. But I know you were able to connect with Dean and Wendy.
I will always remember you and how well you were doing. Thank you for my first home made beer you dropped off in 1982, for showing me how to make beef tomato, for always opening a frosty cold one for me when we loaded the beer cooler at Kealoha's, without me ever asking.
Love you my brother, looking forward to seeing you. Aloha Oe, & mahalo nut loa.

I am so sad with this new.
Wil was a good mentor and role model of mine at HCIL. I looked up to him. He was a good guy to work with. Rest in aloha, Wil.
My deepest condolences to his family.