Honorato Yacapin Jr.

Honorato Keli'ikoalokomaika'i Yacapin Jr

29 December 1945-7 July 2025

https://www.rememberinghono.com/

(We are blessed to have some of Hono’s own words through his writings; some are noted in italics below as part of the telling of his story)

On July 7, 2025, Hono passed away at his home in Portland, Oregon, just 119 days after his unexpected diagnosis of Agent Orange-related lung cancer.

Hono was born December 29, 1945, in Honolulu, Hawaii, the fifth of eight children born to Honorato Inay Yacapin and Epefania Vertido Yacapin. He grew up in Wahiawa where he attended Wahiawa Elementary School and graduated from Leilehua High School in 1963. During his high school years he played football and baseball and was a member of the Hawaii State Championship baseball team his senior year.

He attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado for the academic year 1963-1964, then returned to Hawaii to attend Honolulu Business College for the 1964-1965 academic year.

Hono’s 21-year career in the United States Army began on July 3, 1965, the day he became one of 209 young men of the 11th All-Hawaii Company who took their Oath of Allegiance at Iolani Palace, the historical residence of Hawaii’s monarchy. After a week at Schofield Barracks (near Wahiawa), the men boarded the troop ship USS Sulton for Fort Ord, California.

After Basic Training at Ft. Ord, Hono went to Ft. Gordon, Georgia, for military police training. He became a training platoon sergeant. After seven months at Ft. Gordon, Hono wrote, “Life took a different turn. My company commander recommended me for Officers Candidate School (OCS). I remember asking if I had a choice and he said ‘not really’. So I smiled and said OK sir, I’ll go. I went through all the prerequisites and got accepted to Infantry OCS at Ft. Benning, Georgia, home of the Infantry…on Sept 22, 1966, we graduated and became Second Lieutenants (Butter Bars…Six months in OCS, five months at Ft. Polk, Louisiana as a training officer, and about a month as company commander for a basic training company…on the 13th of March 1967, I stepped foot in Vietnam.” He first served as Platoon Leader, Company “B”, then Executive Officer, Company “C”, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry (the “Black Lions), 1st Infantry Division (the “Big Red One”), Lai Khe, Vietnam.

After returning from his first tour in Vietnam, Hono served as Company Commander then Operations Officer at Fort Campbell, Kentucky for 6th Battalion, 1st Infantry, 6th Infantry Division.

He completed Basic Airborne School at Ft. Benning, Georgia, then the Special Forces Officers Course at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He returned to Vietnam with Special Forces, serving with the Mobile Strike Force Training Command, An Khe and as Training Center Advisor, Headquarters & Headquarters Company (B51), 5th Special Forces, 1st Special Forces, Dong Ba Thin, Vietnam.

Following his second tour in Vietnam, Hono was assigned to Ft. Lawton, Washington, where he served as an advisor to a Special Forces company and other units in the area.

Hono married Diana May Wright on December 30, 1971 at Chapel on the Hill on Ft. Lawton. A son, Duston, and daughter, Layne were born to them. As a military family, they lived the challenges and adventures of military life, fostering a strong and resilient family unit through numerous relocations and deployments. Hono and Diana were married until her death in 2021, shortly before their 50th anniversary.

In 1973, as a result of Reduction in Force (RIF) action, then-Captain Yacapin reverted to non-commissioned officer (NCO) rank. He continued to serve by completing Ranger School and was assigned to the 75th Regiment at Ft. Lewis, Washington. His subsequent assignments included tours in Alaska, Germany, and Kansas.

Hono retired from the Army with the rank of Captain after twenty-one years of active service. His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster.), Air Medal, Parachute Badge, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Army Commendation Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, French Commando Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Canadian Airborne Badge, and the Vietnamese Parachute Badge.

After military retirement, Hono studied Ornamental Horticulture at Clackamas Community College. He began his civilian career with the Department of Veterans Affairs, first as a foreman with Willamette National Cemetery and then as the Gardener for the Portland VA Medical Center, retiring in 2006.

Hono volunteered as the treasurer for the VA employee’s union, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Local 2157 (AFGE), continuing in that role for some years even after his retirement. He is still remembered with great affection for cooking Hawaiian food as a fundraiser for charitable needs within the VA Medical Center community.

Hono delighted in sharing the aloha of Hawaii and the Hawaiian culture with everyone he met. His late treasured friend, Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner Gerald Naliko Markel, gave Hono the Hawaiian name Keli’ikoalokomaika’i, which means Kind Warrior Chief.

In the early 90’s he was instrumental in establishing the Hawaiian Cultural Awareness and Education (HCAE), a non-profit organization aimed toward educating people about the Hawaiian culture. Hono was the club’s first president.

Hono remained committed to his Special Forces brothers and was a long-time member of Special Forces Association Chapter 47. His selfless efforts and dedication to the brotherhood was instrumental to the success of the chapter’s hosting of the 2015 SFA Annual Convention in Portland. He particularly enjoyed cooking his Hawaiian specialties for the Chapter’s annual picnic.

He always enjoyed many outdoor activities, including fishing and his annual fall elk hunting trip in the forest near LaGrande, Oregon.

In 2022, Hono married his long-time friend and former colleague, Sarah Morris. Their marriage was filled with joy, mutual respect, and daily companionship. They shared a deep loving bond, embracing life together through travel, spending time at their property on the coast, and enjoying the blessings of their blended family. It was Sarah’s privilege to care for Hono at home throughout his final days.

Hono is survived by his wife, Sarah Yacapin; Son Duston Yacapin and daughters Layne Yacapin (Gregory Billingsley) and Alia Long;

Sarah’s children Jen Atkins (Sean McIntyre); Melissa Atkins (Todd Williams); Amy Rose Atkins; and Tony Atkins (Michelle);

sisters Felicidad (Fely) Sagon, Maria (Mary) Yacapin and Sharlene Yacapin-Ammons (Bob); brother Daniel (Danny) Yacapin.

Grandchildren Emmalynn Yacapin (Jen); Amanda Yacapin; Megan James (Kodey); Allison Yacapin; Keli’ikoalokomaika’i (Koa) Yacapin; Meilee Nanea Long; Abby Atkins, Orion Atkins, Maja Atkins-McIntyre & Julian Atkins.

A man of honor and heart, Hono leaves behind a legacy of love and service—to country, community, family, and culture—that will continue to inspire all who knew him. May his memory bring comfort to each of us who carry it forward.