Mourning the Loss of Bronson Fuertes June 26, 2015

It is with great sorrow and regret that we mourn the passing of Bronson Haruto Fuertes Sr. 36, of Kapa‘au, Kohala.

Bronson served for many years as a mentor with our Ka Hana No‘eau program, working with Hawaiian youth in the rural district of North Kohala on the island of Hawai‘i.

An accomplished cowboy and saddle-maker, he taught many students from Kohala Middle & High School, Honoka‘a, and Laupāhoehoe the art of traditional Hawaiian ‘awe‘awe saddle-making, instructing them in the many skills necessary for entrepreneurial success, while also being respectful of the ‘āina and its resources.

Bronson was mentored by his father David Fuertes Sr. in Hawaiian “Noho Lio” saddle-making before assuming his position as a mentor with the Ka Hana No‘eau program.

We send our deepest sympathies and much aloha to all of the Fuertes ‘ohana, especially his wife Mary Ann and children, and parents David and Carol.