Alice Munro, Nobel laureate and master of the short story, dies at 92

• By Anthony DePalma / New York Times
• May 14, 2024

A spokesperson for her publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, confirmed the death, at a nursing home. Read more

‘Freckles’ Smith grew family tour business into Kauai legacy

• By John Berger
• May 9, 2024

Walter James Smith Jr. — known to family, friends and colleagues as “Freckles” — died April 19 at his home in Kapahi, Kauai. He was 89. Read more

Versatile Hawaii entertainer Al Waterson dies at age 77

• By John Berger
• April 28, 2024

Over four decades, Waterson entertained Hawaii audiences as a showroom vocalist, a film and television actor, a recording artist and a karaoke bar host. Read more

Roman Gabriel, first Filipino-American quarterback in NFL, dies at 83

• By Associated Press
• April 22, 2024

Gabriel, who played at North Carolina State, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989. Read more

Allman Brothers Band co-founder Dickey Betts dies at 80

• By Steven Wine and Russ Bynum / Associated Press
• April 18, 2024

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer died at his home in Osprey, Florida, David Spero, Betts’ manager of 20 years, confirmed. Read more

Respected isle ex-legislator, insurance commissioner and judge Wayne Metcalf dies at 71

• By Dan Nakaso
• April 18, 2024

Wayne Metcalf — a former state representative, senator, insurance commissioner and judge has died at the age of 71. Read more

Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog dies at 92

• By Hillel Italie / AP National Writer
• April 16, 2024

Cardinals spokesman Brian Bartow said today the team had been informed of his death by Herzog’s family. Read more

Robert MacNeil, earnest news anchor for PBS, dies at 93

• By Elizabeth Jensen / New York Times
• April 12, 2024

MacNeil spent time at NBC News early in his career and was a reporter for the network in Dallas on the day President John Kennedy was assassinated. Read more

O.J. Simpson, fallen football hero acquitted of murder, dies at 76

• By Ken Ritter / Associated Press
• April 11, 2024

The family announced on Simpson’s official X account that he died Wednesday of prostate cancer. Read more

Akebono’s pioneering career took him from Waimanalo to the top of sumo in Japan

• By Ferd Lewis Special to the Star-Advertiser
• April 11, 2024

The sudden immersion into the hierarchical, almost feudal culture of sumo tested not only Chad Rowan’s physical strength but his mental toughness. Read more

Bobby Benson Center founder Dave Benson remembered for big contributions

• By John Berger
• April 9, 2024

Dave Benson, a co-founder of First Night Honolulu and the Honolulu Symphony Fun Run fundraiser, Race Director of the Honolulu Marathon from 1980 to 1984, and 30-year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department, died April 2 after a short battle with ALS. He was 82. Read more

Lou Conter, last USS Arizona survivor, dies at 102

• By Kevin Knodell
• April 1, 2024

According to a media release from Pacific Historic Parks, Conter died peacefully surrounded by his family. Read more

Louis Gossett Jr., Oscar winner and ‘Roots’ actor, dies at 87

• By Beth Harris / Associated Press
• March 29, 2024

Gossett’s first cousin Neal L. Gossett told The Associated Press that the actor died in Santa Monica, California. Read more

HFD’s first public information officer to be remembered

• By Leila Fujimori
• March 29, 2024

A celebration of life on Monday is planned for Richard Soo, who 25 years ago stepped into the 24/7 role as the Honolulu Fire Department’s first public information officer. Read more

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

• By Susan Haigh / Associated Press
• March 27, 2024

Lieberman’s independent streak and especially his needling of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential contest rankled many Democrats. Read more

Laurent de Brunhoff, ‘Babar’ heir and author, dies at age 98

• By Hillel Italie / Associated Press
• March 23, 2024

The series has sold millions of copies worldwide and was adapted for a television program and such animated features as “Babar: The Movie” and “Babar: King of the Elephants.” Read more

Former Hawaii Public Safety Director Ted Sakai dies at 77

• By Andrew Gomes
• March 18, 2024

Ted Sakai led the state Department of Public Safety from 1998 to 2002 and from 2012 to 2014. Read more

Steve Harley, who had a hit with ‘Make Me Smile,’ dies at 73

• By Jill Lawless / Associated Press
• March 17, 2024

Harley’s family said Sunday that he had “passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side.” Harley said late last year he was being treated for “a nasty cancer.” Read more