Services Set for Caldito, First Filipino Elected in Hawaiʻi

By Wendy Osher

Longtime Maui community and Filipino leader Richard “Pablo” Caldito, Sr., died on Monday, July 25, 2011 at his home in Kahului. Caldito was 98.

Caldito was recognized as the first person of Filipino ancestry to be elected in county government in Hawaiʻi.  He was also the first Filipino-American to be elected into public office in the US as a Democratic candidate.

Caldito was born on February 1, 1913 in Bacarra, Illocos Norte, Philippines.

He survived the passing of both his wife, Dorothy Lovell Caldito, and his daughter, Charlene Leinaala Rodrigues.

An obituary states that Caldito is survived by his son, Richard (Toni) Caldito Jr.; daughters Nona Apuna, Ivy Caldito, Iola (Richard) Balubar; hanai brother, Nobu Yamanaka; hanai sister, Maggie Ikeda; son-in-law, Peter Rodrigue; nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Services will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2011 with visitation from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Anthony Church, a service mass at 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. burial at Maui Memorial Park.  Assisting with services is Ballard Family Mortuary.