Today, I want to honor our beloved brother, Kavin, who passed away in 1996. I do this to point out that he had a joyful life and brought pleasure to many people for the time he
was among us. I am grateful he was my brother.
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Obituaries
Friday, April 26, 1996
Higa was a talented performer
By Jim Witty, Star-Bulletin
Kavin Tetsuo Higa, whose diverse talents made him a sought-after actor, singer and dancer in scores of Honolulu productions, died April 23. He was 42.
Remembered by many as a talented entertainer, Higa touched a lot of people in his different incarnations, said Mary Marko, production stage manager at Diamond Head Theatre. Whether it was performing the hula with Halau Hula O` Maiki and Halau Ke Kia`i a o Hula, singing bass with various choirs and ensembles, dancing country western with Blazin' Saddles or acting on the stage, "he did all of them well," Marko said.
Born in Hilo, Higa showed early promise as an entertainer. "Kavin had perfect pitch," recalled sister Lynne Tanno. "And he taught himself how to play guitar and piano." Higa began performing with a group called "Sing Out Hilo" in the late 1960s. He joined a roadshow called "Impossible Years" in 1970 and continued his stage career as a student at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
He was also a member of The Lutheran Church of Honolulu Choir, St. Mark's Sings, Hawaii Vocal Arts Ensemble, The Honolulu Madrigal Quartet, Operettists and Two-Step Hawaii, and performed in productions at the Diamond Head Theatre, Army Community Theatre, Manoa Valley Theatre and Mamiya Theatre.
His portrayal of the king in the 1993 Army Community Theatre production of "The King and I" earned Higa a Pookela Award**.
He often played the villain because of his low voice, Higa noted in a 1984 interview. Higa was also well-known for his "opening night antics," Marko said. After the performance, he'd dress up like Carmen Miranda and pass out opening night presents. Those who didn't know were surprised. Those of us who did, looked forward to it."
"He was a really giving person," Tanno said. "He was always willing to go out of his way to help someone."
He is survived by his mother, Sadako Higa; brothers Glenn, Clyde, Eric and Myron; sisters, Debra and Lynne; hanai sisters, Nani Naope and Kapiolani Hao; and nieces and nephews.
A life celebration is set for 2 to 6 p.m. April 27 at Church of the Crossroads, 1212 University Ave.
**Po'okela (poh-oh-keh-lah) is the local community theater's "Tony" award for Hawaii small theater.
2 comments:
I just found this post. I was a very close friend of Kavin's... I spoke at his service. Miss him so much..
Jim Soules Dec 2010
I met Kavin many years ago when my high school in California hosted Sing Out Hilo when they came to the mainland. I still have the vinyl album they were selling! Kavin and I were quasi leaders of our respective groups, and we gained a lot of respect for each other. So much so, that when my husband recently started working in Hawai'i, I thought I'd look Kavin up, over four decades later.
I'm very sorry to hear of his untimely passing. I send my sympathies to all his family. I thought you'd like to know that he made such a strong impression at such a young age. He was a wonderful person.
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