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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, May 18, 2008

Funeral services for Alema Leota in La'ie Saturday

Funeral services for Alema Leota, 80, of Washington, will be Saturday.

Leota, who died May 11, was repeatedly identified by federal and state authorities in the late 1960s and early 1970s as head of Hawai'i organized crime. He was acquitted of related federal tax conspiracy charges in 1974 and later ran unsuccessfully for governor.

In that campaign, he denied charges of organized crime membership and said organized crime could not exist without the tacit cooperation of government.

He was born in La'ie and served three years in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C., completing 40 parachute missions.

He is survived by companion, Ann Lyons; son, Frank Minami; one granddaughter; and two great-granddaughters.

Visitation will be 9 a.m. Saturday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-La'ie North Stake; service 11 a.m.; burial 12:30 p.m. at La'ie Cemetery. Casual attire. Arrangements by Woolsey Mortuary Services.