Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 39, Number 6, 1 June 2022 — RICHARD “DICKIE” NELSON, III (DEC. 11, 1933 - FEB. 27, 2022) [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

RICHARD “DICKIE” NELSON, III (DEC. 11, 1933 - FEB. 27, 2022)

_V HALI'A ALOHA V ^ FOND REMEMBERANCE "

To create a space for our readers to honor their loved ones, Ka Wai Ola will print Hali'a Aloha - obituaries and mele kanikau (mourning chants). Hali'a Aloha appearing in the print version of Ka Wai Ola should be recent (within six months of passing) and should not exceed 250 words in length. All other Hali'a Aloha submitted will be published on kawaiola.news. Hali'a Aloha must be submitted by the 15th of the month for publication the following month. Photos accompanying Hali'a Aloha will only be included in the print version of the newspaper if space permits. However, all photos will be shared on kawaiola.news.

Richard Nelson, III, (88) passed away on February 27 in North Kona, Hawai'i. Known as "Dickie" to 'ohana and friends, he was born in Kālia, O'ahu, to Richard Nelson, Jr., and Pearl Kaimookalani (Harbottle) Nelson. Dickie was raised on O'ahu until the 'ohana moved to Maui. Dickie worked as a manager at Hawaiian Telephone for 25 years. After retiring, Dickie was the Hawai'i Region administrator for the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter Day Saints from 1977 to 1988, serving the church ministry abroad. He also dedicated his time to serving our lāhui. He was a Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Commissioner for West Hawai'i from 1997 to 2001. In 2014, Hawai'i Island Mayor Billy Kenoi presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation for his contributions to the Leeward Planning Commission. Dickie used his skills to help Native Hawaiian leaders kickstart Hawaiian culture-based programs in their communities. His commitment to our lāhui is highlighted in his work to address the State of Hawai'i s constitutional duty to sufficiently fund the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands - litigation known informally as the "Nelson Case," as he was the lead plaintiff. When he learned, before passing away, that the legislature was considering unprecedentecl funding for DHHL during this session he was filled with joy. Dickie is predeceased by his beloved wife, Esther Leina'ala (Roy) Nelson, and they left their 'ohana a legacy of aloha. He is survived by his children, Debbie Baxter, Kaimookalani Muhlestein, Napela Menor and Nakoa Nelson, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.H