Memorial of Bobby Fujimoto

 

 

At 2:20 a.m. on April 23, 2020, Bobby Fujimoto, Rotary Club of Hilo Badge #1, left his earthly body and went quietly into the night. Chairman of HPM Building Supply, advisor to Senators and Governors, mentor of many, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Bobby was a lifelong Hilo resident and infamously brought HPM Building Supply back from the brink twice after the business was washed away by 2 tsunamis.  He chaired the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii for many years, and he received numerous awards and honors from many statewide organizations. He loved Hilo, golf, the Boy Scouts and Rotary.  He was a Paul Harris Fellow many times over and always gave to the Rotary Foundation.  He loved hanging out with his friends from all walks of life at the various night spots of Hilo, and each night would be spent with friends at a different place.  You didn’t need his phone number, for example, if it was Tuesday night, you could find him at the 19^th hole at Hilo Muni, unless of course he was at the crap tables at the Stardust in Las Vegas, and later at the Orleans.  He was fond of Bud light, JB Whiskey, and most recently Grey Goose vodka.  Chocolate ice cream had no chance of escape, but green salad and vegetables always got a free pass.  He led a full life, and amazingly outlived all of his friends while following no healthy diet restrictions ever.

 

He wanted to hang around until next year, the 100^th year anniversary of HPM, but he couldn’t beat father time.  He will be missed.  He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Alice Kurohara Fujimoto, son Michael (Thuy) Fujimoto of Kona, Daughters Joan Fujimoto, Roberta (Newton) Chu, and Wendy (Peter) Matsuura, all of Hilo. Grandchildren Jason (Tobie) Fujimoto of Hilo, Stephanie Chu of Honolulu, Devin Chu of Los Angeles, Andy and Danny Matsuura of Davis, California. His two great-grandchildren are Danica and Ethan Fujimoto of Hilo.