Senate Honors Waimanalo’s Beloved ‘Uncle Al’

The state Senate honored the late Albert ‘Uncle Al’ Lewis April 1, with his family present. In the front row are (second from left) Sen. Laura Thie-len, widow Florence Mae Bowers Lewis and son David Lewis. (Art Frank, front, center, also was honored.) PHOTO FROM SEN. THIELEN’S OFFICE.

Hawaii State Senate hon-ored the late Waimanalo community leader Albert “Uncle Al” Lewis April 1 and presented a certificate to his family.

A Kailua High School graduate, Coast Guard veteran and state employee, Lewis devoted much of his time to Friends of Waimanalo, which he founded, Waimanalo Neighborhood Board, Waimanalo Jaycees, Waimanalo Teen Project and Waimanalo Community Carnival. Lewis died Jan. 19 at age 70, and his ashes are scattered at Kaione Beach Park.

The Senate called him one of the community’s influential leaders “who selflessly contributed to helping those in need … He enriched the lives of families, keiki and kupuna alike, and impacted others around him with his integrity and make-a-difference outlook.”

The ceremony also honored Lewis’ friend Art Frank of Waianae, who played an active role in the disabled community. Lewis was — and Frank still is — a staunch member of the Democratic Party.