Dr. Adrienne Kaeppler (1935-2022)
Adrienne was an internationally recognized research anthropologist and authority on Pacific Island cultures. She was Curator Emeritus of the Pacific Collection at the Natural Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, and took many interested groups, to include visitors from Hawai`i, on tours of collections at the Smithsonian. She spent considerable time on research on Hawaiian, Tongan, Rapa Nui and other Pacific cultures and was involved in continuing research at the museum. She engaged with the local UHAA chapter on cultural subjects, such as the making and use of barkcloth (kapa). She received her B.A., M.A, and Ph.D. degrees from UHM and was a beloved member of UHAA-NCRC.
Takeshi Toma (1937-2018)
UHAA- NCRC, the Hawai`i State Society of Washington, DC and numerous organizations in the MD-VA-DC area and on Oahu, Hawai`i lost a true ambassador of the aloha spirit in March 2018. A graduate of Waipahu High School and the University of Hawai`i (B.S. in Agriculture), he worked for the Dept. of Agriculture in NY, MD and DC before retiring in VA. He served as our UHAA-NCRC representative at UHAA events in Honolulu when he relocated to the Islands several years ago. A Tai-Chi instructor, a performer with the HSS `Ukulele Hui, a volunteer at Waipahu’s Plantation Village and a member of the Hawai`i Ski Club are just a few of his many endeavors. His ashes were scattered in Kaneohe Bay, a specific wish that he had because of his love for Hawai`i and Kaneohe.A few UHAA-NCRC members were present at his funeral.
Penny G. Toma was the beloved wife of Take Toma and a supporter of the UHAA-NCRC also. She passed away in Dec. 2006.
Bobby Lum Ho (1946-2018)
Bobby was one of the founders of the UHAA chapter in Washington, DC. He was a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and a highly decorated U. S. Army officer and a veteran of the Vietnam conflict, retiring in 1999 after a distinguished active duty career. He continued to serve the Dept. of Defense in a variety of capacities and was an invaluable consultant and advisor. He was involved in numerous Hawaiian-related activities in the DC area and was a founder also of the PAAMA, a military mentoring association. He passed away in Sept. 2018 from cancer. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full honors.
Robert (Bob) Rice (1932-2016)
Bob Rice, husband of UH alumnus Betty Rice, was one of the early members and founders of the UHAA chapter in Washington, DC. He was in the United States Navy (fighter pilot) at Pearl Harbor when he met his future wife at a party. Betty was a teacher at Radford High School at that time and they fell in love and soon got married. They eventually relocated and settled in Alexandria, VA. Bob helped UHAA-NCRC set up its website and communications network and continued be an ardent supporter of the UHAA chapter long after he retired from the Navy. He passed away in November 2016 and was a tremendous loss to the organization. We have been blessed by having Betty continuing her involvement with the chapter.
Charles L. Tompkins ( 1943-2011)
Charles was one of the firsts members of the UHAA-NCRC during its early years. Although born and raised in Virginia, he became involved with the University of Hawai`i through his beloved wife, Carita, who he met in 1967 during one of his military deployments to Hawai`i and the Pacific. Charles was a retired Naval flight officer with a distinguished military career during the Vietnam era, before serving in the Pentagon and with the Dept. of Defense in a variety of high level capacities. He passed away in August 2011, but his wife carries on his memories through her continued active involvement with UHAA-NCRC.
Donna M. Feeley (1953-2011)
UHAA-NCRC lost one of its devoted members in October 2011 when Donna left us after a prolonged battle with breast cancer. Originally from Boston but residing in Falls Church, VA, she fell in love with the Islands and received B.A. and M.P.H. degrees from the University of Hawai`i and Chaminade College. She also held B.S.N., R.N. and N.C.T.M.B degrees and was a leader in promoting the importance of alternative health interventions and the recognition of the importance of indigenous medicine in clinical practice. She was on the staff of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in addition to working for the American Red Cross for 15 years. Her compassion even extended to providing a home for homeless animals. She served as Secretary of UHAA-NCRC prior to her passing away.
