Ronald Nolan Makaula Dela Cruz's Obituary
Ronald Nolan Makaula Dela Cruz was born on April 9th, 1945 in Honolulu, the Territory of Hawaii.He passed away on September 20, 2024 at Queen's North Hawaii Community Hospital. Ron lived most of his life in Honolulu, Maui,and for the past 30+ years in Kamuela on the Island of Hawaii. He was preceded in death by his hanai parents, Primentivo Dela Cruz and Mary Rego Dela Cruz, as well as his birth parents, Moses Makaula and Miriam Lei Kua Makaula.
Ron is survived by his wife, Mary L. Andrews, of Kamuela; as well as his step children, Ginger (Rick) Gelke of New York and Scott (Aya) Andrews of Panama, Central America; as well as step-grandchildren Ellie Gelke of New York, and Keats and Witt Andrews of Panama, Central America. He is also survived by his sisters, Bernadette (Sterling) Nii of Oahu, Lorraine Daley of Kamuela, Elizabeth/Manu (Rick) Ahina of Oahu, and his brother, Anthony (Malia) Koko of Oahu. Additionally, Ron is survived by his numerous and cherished nieces and nephews.
Ron graduated from Farrington High School,College of San Mateo,and attended the University of California at Berkeley. He played football all through junior high school, high school, and college. He was a Junior All American Football recipient. He maintained a Screen Actors Guild (SAG)membership as he appeared in a number of films, including "Hawaii""The Hawaiians", and “King Kong”. He also appeared in the original TV program,“Hawaii 5-0." He worked in the security industry for most of his adult life on Oahu and Maui, and for a number of years was the security manager for Parker Ranch. Later, he founded and operated Security Solutions of Hawaii on Hawaii Island until retiring several years ago.
With nearly 90% Hawaiian ethnicity, Ron was a High Chief of the Royal Order of Kamehameha and was a founder of the Order's North Hawaii chapter. He was a spiritual leader and a licensed Kahu, having performed many weddings and blessings.
Private services have occurred and later there will be an announcement of a Celebration of Life event for Ron on Hawaii Island. Aloha to the nurses,ER staff, as well as the Waimea EMS staff whose professional and loving care of Ron in his final days is much appreciated by the family.
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