Raymond Pua set standard as amiable, efficient elections chief

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

Raymond Keaunui Pua, who served as the city clerk under seven City Council administrations and assisted with Hawaiian sovereignty election planning, died Sunday. He was 61.

Pua

His colleagues said Pua was able to weather such political storms because his genial, gentle manner enabled him to work with many different leaders, said Gary Gill, former council chairman.

"It was his personal commitment to doing a professional job and his ability to get along and respect the functions of the City Council, whatever the leadership," Gill said. "The city clerk's office became an office of professionalism, not patronage, under his leadership."

His first city job was as a messenger at the building department in 1962, transferring to the clerk's office as an assistant clerk the following year.

Pua worked in various council positions and as assistant administrator of elections, and was appointed city clerk in 1983. He formed the Association of Clerks and Elections Officers of Hawaii as well as the local chapter of the American Records Management Association.

"The legacy we have regarding good elections and working with the council, that comes from his years as city clerk," said the current holder of that position, Denise DeCosta. "He was one of my mentors."

DeCosta said Pua had been working on a history of city clerks before his death.

His immediate successor in the job, Genny Wong, said she remembers him as a friend above all, someone who showed concern for employees.

He also applied his skills to Hawaiian sovereignty, said Mahealani Kamau'u, a fellow veteran of Ha Hawai'i, the organization formed to plan an election of Hawaiian convention delegates.

Pua assisted the Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council in its mailout referendum in 1996, Kamau'u said, and he submitted the prevailing voter apportionment plan to the nonprofit Ha Hawai'i once it organized.

"There were several apportionment plans ... it's hard to get unanimity of opinion," she said. "People recognized his expertise, and he had so much humility that it was disarming.

"He had tremendous skill and was really helpful and a really nice guy."

Gill agreed with that assessment.

"That care of the community is what sustained him through challenges with his own health," he said. "By every estimation, Ray Pua was a very decent, caring and thoughtful individual."

Pua, who was born in Honolulu, is survived by his companion, Al Domalavage; and his sister, Frances Miller.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. March 15 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, followed at 10:30 by a funeral service. Mass will begin at noon. Attire is casual; inurnment will be private. Arrangements are being handled by Nuuanu Memorial Park and Mortuary.

Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053.