We join the multitude of friends who are mourning the passing of Danny “Kaniela”, a world-renowned singer, Hawaiian recording artist and civic leader who was officially proclaimed Hawaii’s “Ambassador of Aloha” by Governor John Waihee.  Born 1937 and raised in Honolulu, Kaniela was committed to the preservation of Hawaiian history and culture and aloha across the world.  Danny hosted a Hawaiian Show at the Kahala Hilton for 30 years performed in motion pictures and Carnegie Hall.

He left us with many life lessons and values: “Aloha ke kahi I ke kahi” “Love is everywhere. Love is where you find it.  It comes from the pu’uwai, the heart.”  as he would always share. “Make Aloha a way of life.  Be a part of the Aloha Spirit.  Share the love”.

He has been honored by dozens of civic and societal associations with awards such as “Outstanding Hawaiian of the Year” and the Salvation Army’s “Humanitarian of the Year”. Kaniela also held an Honorary Doctorate Degree by the University of Hawaii and was inducted into the Aloha Order of Merit by the Hawaii State Senate

The Consular Corps Hawaii was very fortunate to have Danny as an associate member, who performed at our Consular Corps Gala with his stunning baritone voice. He will be missed forever.

We are mourning the passing of retired Hawaii Chief Justice Ronald T. Y. Moon, the country’s first Korean-American to become a state Chief Justice of a State Supreme Court and long-time member of our Consular Corps.

“C.J.” as friends called him, grew up in Wahiawa and graduated from Mid-Pac. He was a humble man, a legal pioneer, compassionate and charitable civic leader. A mentor of many, he fought injustices with commitment and fervor. As a 3rd generation Korean American, Moon felt democracy and freedom and human rights should never be taken for granted. He often acted as a trailblazer who was known to use corny jokes as icebreakers in his speeches and believed that public service was his life’s calling. Moon was pivotal for landmark cases in the State to allow same sex-marriage and strengthen Native Hawaiian rights.

Chief Justice Moon received many awards and accolades: he was most proud of the naming of the new West Oahu court complex in Kapolei after him just days before his retirement in 2010 after 45 years in the legal public service and being the recipient of its Harry L. Carrico Award for Judicial Innovation

In retirement Moon continued to assist in dispute resolutions, such as mediation and arbitration cases. He served on the boards of Kick Start Karate helping high-risk teens, Mid-Pacific Institute, St. Louis School and Ohana Pacific Bank. Moon understood that we all have busy lives but felt everyone should find the time to get invested in our communities and country.

C.J. was an exceptional friend to many and will be dearly missed.

We mourn the loss of our fellow member, Honorary Consul of Slovenia, 4-Star Admiral Ronald ‘Zap’ Zlatoper.

Zap unexpectedly passed away on April 21st while visiting family in Atlanta. He had just celebrated his 80th birthday.

Besides his service in the Hawaii Diplomatic Corps for many years, he was our Military Liaison Officer, Dean of 2016, beloved MC of many of our events and probably the most tireless, humble supporter of the Consular Corps Hawai’i.

The list of his accolades outshined us, his genuine friendship meant the world to us and his open supportive mind was reassuring to all of us. He will be profoundly missed.

Admiral Zlatoper served as Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet from 1994 to 1996.

He graduated with a Masters from MIT, was the Founder of Strategic Transitions Research and Co-Chairman and CEO of Sanchez Computer Associates, Inc. Zap served as a Trustee of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, was on the boards of Penn State University-Great Valley, Board of Advisors member of the School of Business & Public Management at the George Washington University, U.S.S. Missouri Memorial Association, and the Military Aviation Museum of the Pacific. He was a Trustee for the Estate of James Campell, a Regent for Chaminade University and active on the boards of the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor; the East-West Center; the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation; Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i — Military Affairs Council and the  Catholic Charities Hawai'i.

He is leaving behind his loving wife Barry, children and grand-children, all of whom he loved very much.

We shall never forget you, Zap!