KCCN-FM Honolulu reports the death of former Program Director Krash Kealoha, who was a major figure in Hawaii’s music scene and on radio for many decades. His real name was Victor Opiopio.
Krash Kealoha died on Thanksgiving Day. According to KGMB-TV he had suffered from a tumor and declined radiation treatment. An obituary published Saturday by the Hololulu Star Advertiser said he was 61.
As an advocate of Hawaiian music, Kealoha not only played the music on the radio, but also managed local music groups and produced TV shows. He was the founder of the Na Hoku Hanohano awards in 1978 to honor local musicians. Kealoha received the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002.
Kealoha also appeared as an actor in TV series that were filmed in Hawaii, including the original “Hawaii Five-0” and “Magnum, P.I.”
