Alcario "Sonny" Pelayo

Alcario “Sonny” Pelayo, 84, of Torrance, California and Lahaina, Maui, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed away on June 30, 2016. Sonny was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 11, 1931 to Rose Kalei Na’auao Pelayo and Melencio Galang Pelayo. He graduated from Kamehameha School in 1949 and afterward served in the Coast Guard which led him to Northern California where he met his wife of 55 years, Mary Magdalene Silva Pelayo. Early in their marriage, he graduated from Northrop University with a B.S. degree in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. They settled in Torrance, California where they became active members of the community, serving in the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Ahahui O' Liliuokalani Hawaiian Civic Club, Kalama Hawai'i, Hawaiian Inter Club Council of Southern California (HICC), California State Assembly, Kamehameha Alumni Association Class of 1950, Lions Club International, City of Torrance Rotary Club, Gardena Nisei VFW Post 1961, the Japanese Cultural Institute (JCI) and were active members in their church. They were instrumental in building the Los Angeles Hawaiian community and their legacy continues through festivals they helped to build such as the annual HICCSC Ho’olaule’a at Alondra Park. Sonny worked at Rockwell International as an Aeronautical Project Senior Engineer for 32 years, helping to build the US Aerospace Industry. During retirement, Sonny and Mary travelled the United States in their RV with their family and cruised the world with their best friends and he enjoyed his return to his homeland, on Maui. One of the most generous and good spirited people you’ve ever met, Sonny never hesitated in lending a helping hand and supplying a good joke or story. In his spare time, he also made ukuleles for all his kids and grandchildren, walked 5 miles everyday, and helped to keep McDonald’s in business with his morning crew.

Sonny is survived by his four of his seven children: Allen, Maile (Tui), Lono (Laurie), and Teddy (Sandy); as well as his ten grandchildren: Biggie (Vida), Keoni, Christopher (Brianne), Kalei, Kanani (Christian), Laupepa, Alec, Anuhea, Taimane (Corey), and Makana; five great-grandchildren: Sahm, Cormac Kekoa, Cillian, Manaia, and Malosi; and two siblings: Alvin and Kawailani.