Kapaa resident, author and Kamehameha Schools graduate Bill Fernandez was honored Saturday on Oahu.
Fernandez, who grew up on Kauai, graduated from Stanford University and became a lawyer, judge in Santa Clara County, Calif., and served as mayor in Sunnyvale during his career, was the honoree of the year as presented by the Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association. The award recognized his outstanding career achievements.
Joined by his wife Judie, they rode in a convertible and were spotlighted in a parade lined with enthusiastic people, locals and visitors.
At several places along the parade route, which went from Iolani Palace and past Ala Moana shopping center through Waikiki, announcers described Fernandez being the Distinguished Alumnus of Kamehameha Schools and celebrating his 70th reunion with the Class of ‘49.
Later, at the Alumni Week luau for 1,700 alumni under a tent at the campus, Fernandez was again honored and applauded by alumni from 1939 to 2018 classes. A biography that was read described his legal career, alumni work, writing, and that he taught himself Hawaiian so he could compose oli (chants) for his book talks (the language was not taught when he attended Kamehameha Schools).
“Bill always treats his wife Judith like a Queen,” it read.
Bill and Judith described it as an “unforgettable day” and were humbled by the recognition.
Fernandez has become a prolific writer. His latest book is “Splintered Paddle, a novel of Kamehameha the Great.”
His three memoirs are “Rainbows Over Kapaa,” “Kauai Kids in Peace and War,” and “Hawaii in War and Peace.”
His novels include “John Tana: An Adventure Tale of Old Hawaii,” the “Cult of Ku: A Hawaiian Murder Mystery,” the book “Crime &Punishment in Hawaii,” the book “Hawaiian Rebellions,” and “Gods, Ghosts, and Kahuna on Kauai.”
His books are available at the Kauai Museum.
