A deserving honor
I was pleased to learn that Bill Fernandez was the grand marshal of the recent King Kamehameha Day Parade in Lihue. I can’t imagine anyone more deserving of this honor.
In our years on Kaua‘i, my wife and I were privileged to spend time with Bill and his wife Judie and came know them as humble, kind and generous, people who opened their hearts and home to us, and really, to all.
I always thought no one exemplified the aloha spirit better than Bill Fernandez.
For someone as successful as he is — a Stanford graduate, attorney, judge, mayor and author — he rarely, if at all, speaks of his accomplishments. Instead, he makes it a point to ask about others and praise them. In all the conversations we had with Bill and Judie sitting on their front porch, he never spoke ill of another. Only good.
Of course, as Bill always was always sure to tell me, any of his successes were due to his beautiful wife, Judie, who supported him at every step.
I have never known anyone with such a smile and laugh that is filled with joy and appreciation.
Kaua‘i is blessed to have a man like Bill Fernandez.
I hope he got a standing ovation during the parade. He deserved it.
Bill Buley, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
