HonoluluAdvertiser.com | Remembering Frank Fasi

Other editions:
Mobile |
E-news alerts |
RSS |
Twitter

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Your browser’s security settings are preventing some features from appearing. See instructions for fixing the problem.

The former mayor of Honolulu, Frank F. Fasi, passed away on Feb. 3, 2010, leaving a legacy of major city improvements and a colorful, controversial political career.

Born: Aug. 27, 1920 in Hartford, Conn.
Died: Feb. 3, 2010 in Honolulu
Career: Territorial Senate, City Council, Honolulu mayor
Party affiliations: Democrat, independent Democrat, Republican, "Best" Party
Survivors: Second wife Joyce and 11 children.

Legendary mayor had a legendary dog (Mar 07, 2010)
Who was the most famous dog in Honolulu in the 1980s? It was Mayor Fasi's dog, Gino, a black-and-white springer spaniel. Gino, named after the actor and dancer Gene Kelly, was born on the day Hurricane Iwa struck in late November 1982.

Farewell, mister mayor (Mar 04, 2010)

Long after the dignitaries had left the Honolulu Hale courtyard, the "little guys" that Frank Fasi often spoke so fondly of were still streaming in to see the man they called Mister Mayor.

A big life demanded a big obituary (Feb 14, 2010)
The death of former Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi occurred in the early morning hours of Feb. 4 and we implemented a plan that provided a meaningful and authoritative remembrance of a political icon.

Never a gray area with Frank Fasi (Feb 10, 2010)
It was his ego-driven personality that enabled Mayor Frank Fasi to get City Hall buzzing with unprecedented creative energy that produced so many accomplishments that reshaped Honolulu for the better.

Honolulu was Fasi's '12th child,' former mayor's family says (Feb 06, 2010)
While many in Honolulu remember Mayor Frank Fasi for bringing in a new bus system or bulldozing a parking lot, his children remember him for always taking time to eat dinner at home and listen to how their day went. Joyce Fasi, the mayor's widow, and the six children she had with him spoke yesterday about the personal side of the mayor who died Wednesday at age 89.

An iconic mayor Honolulu cannot forget (Feb 05, 2010)
Even without the 15-story municipal building that bears his name, Honolulu certainly would never forget Frank F. Fasi, who died Wednesday. Whatever the official chronicle had recorded of his outspoken, often controversial public life, the fondest memories of Fasi surely belong to the city's working people, the beneficiaries of the mayor's most energetic years of service.

Recalling city's 'best mayor' (Feb 05, 2010)

As news of Frank Fasi's passing spread yesterday, lunchrooms, cell phone lines and Internet message boards buzzed with Honolulu residents famous and not-so-famous sharing their personal recollections of the city's iconic former mayor.

Newspapers exasperated, informed him (Feb 05, 2010)
Several years ago, a bunch of local reporters from several media outlets were having a quick lunch at a Downtown sandwich shop. As we were eating, Frank Fasi — then mayor — walked by and waved a perfunctory hello. But after a few steps, he turned and came back to our table.

Aloha, mayor (Feb 05, 2010)

HONOLULU — Friends and foes of Frank F. Fasi yesterday remembered Honolulu's longest-serving mayor as a savvy politician who fought for the little guy and got things done, often with little regard for conventional practices. Fasi, 89, died late Wednesday at his Makiki home. Son David Fasi said his father "died peacefully of natural causes ... surrounded by his adoring wife and children."

'He was way ahead of our time' (Feb 05, 2010)

Pamela Napoleon has Frank Fasi to thank for her ride into town every morning from Mākaha Valley, and she knows it. When she heard yesterday about his death, her thoughts instantly went to the city bus system he created.

'Fearless Frank' a tireless fighter (Feb 05, 2010)

Frank F. Fasi, the flamboyant and combative populist politician who served more years as mayor than anyone else in Honolulu's history, left a physical and political lasting mark on his adopted city that will be impossible to erase.

Fasi was a fighter, brash and bold (Feb 05, 2010)
Every time I pass the rash of homeless camps in Waikīkī, I think of Frank Fasi and how he might have handled the situation. He wouldn't have pussyfooted around with little regulations and intermittent enforcement. He would have done something bold and ostentatious that would have had people shaking their heads but admiring his bravado.