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79, of Kipu, Moloka'i, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Kaunakakai, Hawai'i. Aka was born on September 18, 1941, to William Porter Hodgins and Wilda Alquist Hodgins in Lana'i City, Hawai'i.Aka grew up in east O'ahu, attended Punahou School and graduated with the class of 1959. He attended Montana State College and studied Agriculture Production. After college, he served in the United States Coast Guard before moving to Moloka'i to take on the position of Moloka'i Ranch Manager for 23 years. During his time as Ranch Manager, Aka helped establish the Wildlife Park as an environmental project covering 1,000 acres suitable for African and Asian game animals that thrived on the West End of Moloka'i. He created Moloka'i's kiawe charcoal and raised honeybees for the coveted Moloka'i Honey. In 1986, he began Noio Fishing and Trading Co., and a freight forwarding business on Moloka'i. Aka loved the outdoors and spent most of his free time hunting and fishing. This love connected Aka to friends around the world and adventures in faraway places like Australia and Brazil. His love of fishing would find Aka competing in numerous fishing tournaments in the islands, from catching big game fish at the Kona HIBT and Lahaina Jackpot tournaments, to trolling for papio on the island he loved, Moloka'i. He was well known as a brilliant storyteller, and famous for his classic jokes and punchlines.
Aka is survived by his wife, Pearl Alice Hodgins of Moloka'i; children: Lyda Hodgins Liu of the Big Island, William Koa (Nohelani) Hodgins of Maui, William Porter (Pua) Hodgins of Moloka'i, Lisa (Gregg) Sacca of CA, Bradley (Melissa) Totherow of O'ahu, Burke (Robin) Totherow of Moloka'i; 16 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren; siblings: Mary Helen (Jim) Higgins, Hannah Hodgins. He is preceded in death by his brother Thomas W. Hodgins.
The family will have a private gathering on Moloka'i celebrating his life and spreading his ashes on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. (HST). Please join us wherever you are by raising your glass and giving a sendoff toast to Aka, " 'Okole maluna!"
Aka's online memorial tribute may be viewed at https://www.forevermissed.com/william-aka-hodgins/about
