William John Kauakea Medeiros

William John Kauakea Medeiros “Bill John” of Waiehu passed away on October 25, 2024 at Maui Memorial Medical Center, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on February 3, 1947 on the island of Lana’i, to Leslie Clyde Kauakea Medeiros Sr. and Josephine Kauakea (Roback) Medeiros.

Bill attended Hana School and later Kamehameha School Kapalama Oahu where he graduated from in 1965. In his senior year at Kamehameha, he won the Men’s Doubles Tennis Championship State Title which he and his partner held at Kamehameha for 40 years until another men's doubles tennis duo won in 2005.

After graduating, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force and served honorably as an Aerospace Munitions Specialist Supervisor and was stationed in Italy where he also played tennis for the Air Force. After serving in the military, Bill returned home to Hana where he resided and commuted for 6 years to Lahaina, Wailuku, and Paia to work as a Maui County Firefighter. He then commenced his 25 years of service as a District Administrator for the Maui County Department of Public Works Highways Division for East Maui. Bill moved to Wailuku in 1985 where he continued his career as Public Works Highways Division Supervisor for West Maui.

Bill earned his Associate's Degrees in Liberal Arts and Hotel Management from the University of Hawaii Maui Community College as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He later acquired his certification as a Substitute Teacher with the Hawaii Department of Education.

In 2006, he was elected and served for 2 consecutive terms as a County Council Member for the East Maui Seat. Bill retired from the County of Maui and Public Service in 2012 and continued to serve as an Executive Assistant under Mayor Alan Arakawa and Mayor Mike Victorino as the East Maui Liaison.

Mr. Medeiros has dedicated over 35 years as an involved member of the Maui community, serving as Vice-President of the Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association, and member of the Hana Citizens Advisory Committee, Hana Community General Plan Committee, Hana Community Center Task Force, Hana Community Association, Hana Schools Parent Teacher Association, Maui Native Hawaiians Chamber of Commerce, and the Royal Order of Kamehameha Kahekili Maui Chapter; and while in office, Councilmember Medeiros served as the Council's representative on the Council on Aging, the Council's alternate member to the Hawaii State Association of Counties, and member of the Commission on Naming Streets, Parks and Facilities; and Mr. Medeiros recognized the importance of athletics from keiki to kupuna, volunteering as a coach, referee, and league official for youth soccer, baseball, and softball, and distinguishing himself as a valued player, coach, and official for the United States Slow Pitch Softball Association, the Amateur Softball Association, the Senior Citizen Softball League, and the United States Tennis Association; and after being elected to the Council in 2006, Councilmember Medeiros was chosen by his colleagues to Co-Chair the Public Works and Facilities Committee, and during his second term on the Council, was chosen by his colleagues to chair the Infrastructure Management Committee; during his tenure in office, Councilmember Medeiros was a valued member of numerous committees, including the Budget and Finance Committee, Committee of the Whole, Planning Committee, Water Resources Committee, Public Services Committee, and the Land Use Committee; Councilmember Medeiros endeavored to improve infrastructure, and promote jobs and affordable housing by strongly advocating for the building of Hana affordable housing projects for seniors and the community; and expanding Paani Mai Park during his term, Councilmember Medeiros consistently advocated for the protection of the environment and Native Hawaiian cultural rights by guiding and directing the discussion that led to the ban of genetic modified organism (GMO) taro in Maui County, helping to secure funding for an additional Fire Truck in the Hana District, and working diligently to help lessen the suffering of those in need by establishing a dialysis service center in Hana; and in his many achievements could not have occurred without the support of his ‘ohana. Bill John was an honorable man, a beloved father, brother, kupuna, and friend who has touched so many lives with his smile and aloha in his journey of life. May he rest eternally in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Bill was predeceased by his wife Williet “Poni” Cockett Medeiros who he was happily married to for 30 years. He is survived by his sister Ulu Helekahi of Hana and brother Leslie Medeiros Jr. of Waiehu; his 6 children, Billye-Mae Martin, BJ Medeiros, Joshua Medeiros, Nicole Pagan, Mahie Ismail, and Christian Johnson (deceased); 17 grandchildren, Leialoha Medeiros, Ryan Torino, ‘Olena Medeiros, Kaimipono Pagaduan, Bryson Pagaduan (deceased), Justin Martin, Sofia, Ava, and Kaia Salvatierra, Nikko Pagan, Salah, Yaminah, Nuru, and Deen Ismail, and Christian Jr., Jonah, and Shaina Johnson; and 3 great-grandchildren, Reyna-Lei Torino, and Jenna and Jace Pagaduan-Ibuos.

Services will be held on Friday November 22, 2024 at St. Anthony Church in Wailuku. Public viewing will be from 9:30am - 10:30am with Eulogy and Prayer service to follow. Lunch will be served at 11:30am in the Courtyard.

Services in Hana will be held the following day, Saturday November 23, 2024 at St. Mary’s. Public viewing from 9:30am - 10:30am with Eulogy and Mass to follow. Burial at St. Peter’s Church - Pu’uiki at 12:30pm. Lunch will be served at St. Mary’s Church Hall.