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Topic: John Auna Passes |
Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 17 Aug 2007 1:14 pm |
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Big Island steel guitarist and teacher John Auna passed on August 8. Funeral Services will be in Kona next Friday.
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Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 17 Aug 2007 2:40 pm
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 17 Aug 2007 3:19 pm
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I met John in 2003, but didn't get to know him. We are losing the old-timers all the time it seems.
BILL |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 18 Aug 2007 3:42 am
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| I saw John perform once and remember most his warm personality. If I recall correctly, he was a decorated WWII veteran. |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 19 Aug 2007 8:22 pm
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| Mary and I were house guests of Ginger and John many years ago. They were lovely hosts who lived in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. John was a long time leader of the Boy Scouts. He was a very gentle person, great smile and an excellent steel guitarist. His generosity in HSGA matters will always be remembered and appreciated. He will be sadly missed. Our condolances go out to his dear wife Ginger. |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 19 Aug 2007 11:40 pm
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John Auna always exemplied the true "Aloha Spirit" in the twenty years that I knew him.
He contributed much to the HSGA over the years. The main convention for HSGA was held in Waikiki and afterwards we would visit one island to promote Hawaiian Steel Guitar. One year we would visit the Big Island, then next convention, Maui and then the next Kauai. Over many years we would rotate our visits to each Island. John Auna would make all of the arrangements for the various Island visits. John through his friendships would get us Lodging at Kama'aina rates, and arrange for several playing venues on each visit to the Islands. We have played in various restaurants, a historic museum, shopping malls, senior citizen rest homes, on the beach, etc.
John played the old Hawaiian style steel guitar and he taught young Hawaiian men that style over on the Big Island and especially in Kona.
He will be missed by a good many people who loved him.  He was special.
Aloha, 
Don |
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Robert Salomone
From:
Carefree, Arizona
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Posted 14 Oct 2007 12:39 am
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Sorry to learn of John Auna's Passing. I used to live on the Big Island, and John used to visit the resort I used to manage in Kailua-Kona. He helped us when we hosted a post convention visit for the HSGA, and a number of attendees spent a few days on The Big Island after the convention on Oahu.
We put on a small concert with Bob Brozman, and a few other performers, Bob was the star of the show with his Style 4 National Tricone and all the great
Hawaiian instrumentals.
A number of retirees from the local Nursing home came to the resort and enjoyed the afternoon. A friend, who owns a local music store in Hilo brought over a number of slide guitars and ukelele for display. It was a great evening of fun and song and John had a lot to do with making it sucessful. RIP |
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