During the Matt Gonzalez for Mayor campaign, I helped to get people working the precincts during the general election.

There wasn’t alot of workers at that time. They came after Matt won the general election and was in the runoff. But there were a few stalwarts who came each and every day-throughout the election. And Bobby Kapaone was one of the few.

Bobby worked construction. He was a native Hawaiian from Honolulu. He was very proud of his family and he would keep me informed of all of the wonderful things that they were doing. Each Saturday, he would be one of the first ones there-and he would give me a big hug. Then he would ask for two precincts. “Give me ones that needed a lot of walking,” Bobby would say. And I would load him up with two precincts that no one would take (usually due to too many hills).

Bobby would always take two loads of literature and walked both precincts. And he would come back with a smile and tell me about all of the beautiful things that he saw as he walked the precincts-flowers, birds and the clouds.

When we got into the runoff, Bobby kept on working. He took a leave from his construction job and he worked on the campaign every single day.

I just heard the news that Bobby passed away on January 1. He was 52.

My favorite story about Bobby is that one day, he came up to me and said, “How’s your husband?”

I said, “I don’t know. I haven’t met him yet.”

Bobby looked at me puzzled and said, “No, No. I have met him. He’s a nice guy.”

My reply was, “Glad to hear it, Bobby. Glad to hear it.” Then I paused, “And when you see him again, Bobby, will you be sure to introduce me to him? I’ve been waiting a long time to meet him.”

Bobby stood there for a moment and then realized what I was saying. And we both had a good laugh over it.

Mahalo, Bobby for your friendship, your generosity and your spirit. Till we meet again.