Abel Medeiros, former Kaua'i politician
By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Abel Medeiros, a longtime figure in Republican politics and community activities on Kaua'i, died Friday at his Koloa home. He was 85.
He was born March 7, 1920, at Piwai, now known as 'Oma'o, Kaua'i. Medeiros worked in personnel at Kaua'i Pineapple Co. and spent many years as industrial relations assistant for McBryde Sugar Co. He was a retired captain in the Hawai'i National Guard, but his real story was in community service.
"Until the end, as long as he was healthy and strong enough, he always looked for ways to make a contribution," said former Kaua'i County Council Chairman Ron Kouchi. "He was a calm voice in the storm."
Medeiros served in the state House of Representatives from 1959 to 1962 and on the County Council from 1970 to 1974. In his last islandwide election, he won a seat in 2003 on the first board of directors of the Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative.
Kaua'i Mayor Bryan Baptiste remembers Medeiros from the time Baptiste's father was active in politics. "I knew him from when I was a kid. He was one of the few politicians left from that time, always with a friendly smile, a handshake and a good word. Most of all, he was a good man," Baptiste said.
"He had a real special personality for politics," said former Mayor Maryanne Kusaka.
A colleague remembers that on the County Council, Medeiros regularly voted with the Democrats, except on any measure to raise taxes.
"That was the only issue that we never voted together on," said former Kaua'i Councilman and retired County Clerk Jerome Hew. "He would never vote for a tax increase."
Among many community activities, Medeiros served on the board of the American Lung Association and Rehabilitation Unlimited Kaua'i. He was the Kaua'i representative on the State Health Planning and Development Agency, and was a charter member and first president of the Kaua'i Portuguese Chamber of Commerce.
Medeiros is survived by his wife, Helen Ornellas Medeiros; daughters Carol Furtado and Suzette Kane; son Peter; sisters Eleanor Cox and Evelyn Cabral; sister-in-law Otilda Medeiros; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Viewing will be from 8 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday at St. Raphael's Church in Koloa, with a Mass at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Kaua'i Veterans Cemetery in Hanapepe. The family requests casual attire. Arrangements are being made by Borthwick Kaua'i Mortuary.
Reach Jan Tenbruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 245-3074.
