We lost a great man today.

 

Pundy Yokouchi was the man who had the vision that built an arts & cultural center for Maui that was second to none, the vision to see that there was no reason Maui couldn't enjoy the top caliber of artists to come into a top caliber venue, the vision to understand that having this kind of center would help our own artists reach higher and farther and help our kids understand and nurture a passion for the arts that would match Pundy's own.

 

Some of us are mere mortals; Pundy was a genius in our midst. And we, and the island of Maui, and the state of Hawai'i benefit. His genius was in his big vision and his humble nature, his joy for living and his practical wisdom, his ability to embrace everyone from "beggars to kings" and make us all feel special, his roots in Maui and his branches across the world, his passion for the arts in all its adventurous forms and his commitment to making sure Hawaiian culture, the culture of this land, would thrive.

 

Many of you knew Pundy far longer than I did; some of you knew him slightly. However, he touched us all and Maui is better because of him, and we are better people because of him. We are fortunate to have this incredible place, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, in lasting tribute, beautiful in environment and amazing in content, thanks to this special man.

 

We will miss him. Mahalo nui loa, Pundy.

 

 

For more information on the extraordinary life of Pundy Yokouchi, please visit the following links:

From the Maui News:
Editorial (December 3, 2006)
"Yokouchi touched the lives of many" ( December 2, 2006)
"'Pundy' Yokouchi dies, 81" (December 1, 2006)

From the Honolulu Advertiser:
'Pundy' Yokouchi, 81, arts patron, developer, (December 2, 2006)