‘Voice of Honoka‘a Dragons’ Dominic Yagong dies at age 66

Hawai‘i County has suffered another loss with the passing of Dominic Yagong, a former chairman of the Hawai‘i County Council and the beloved Voice of the Honoka‘a Dragons.

Yagong died Wednesday morning in Hilo while in comfort care at the Transitional Care Unit of the Hilo Benioff Medical Center after suffering a severe stroke in May. He was 66.

Yagong is the third community pillar to pass away within the past few weeks, following the recent deaths of Kumu Hula Nālani Kanaka‘ole-Zane on Jan. 3 and Hawai‘i County Fire Chief Kazuo Todd on Dec. 14.

“We lost another giant in the community,” Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda said Wednesday. “Every area has its influential figures. He wasn’t just the voice, he was the heart of Honoka‘a.”

Community service was central to who Dominic was, according to a family statement released Wednesday afternoon.

He served the community for decades, including 12 years as a Hawai‘i County Councilman, becoming known as “the taxpayer guard dog.”

Dominic’s daughter, Chelsea Yagong, said there was a political cartoon published about it in the local paper while he was in office.

Yagong was the District 1 councilmember from 1996-2002 and 2006-2012. He left the position in 2012 to run for mayor, coming in third behind former mayor Billy Kenoi and current Mayor Harry Kim.

But Dominic’s favorite job, Chelsea Yagong said, was being the announcer for Honoka‘a High’s athletic events as the Voice of the Honoka‘a Dragons.

“His favorite place to be was on the sideline, cheering the kids on, because that’s what it’s about. It’s about the kids,” Chelsea Yagong said.

“What made him stand out (as an announcer) was how fair he was,” Chelsea Yagong said about her dad. “He would get excited for both teams. It’s about empowering those kids and celebrating their efforts.”

Yagong said she believes it was” truly” her father’s calling on earth to bring people together. “He did it so effortlessly and generously.”

“The community always guided his decisions,” she said. “He really taught us (his kids) to give without expectation.”

Above all, Dominic Yagong loved his family, and they remained the heart of his life.

Chelsea Yagong said Wednesday she recently listened to a saved voicemail from her dad on her birthday. In the message, her dad said how proud he was of her and that she was a good mother and a hard worker.

“I never had to wonder if my dad was proud of me,” she said. “His unconditional love and undying support really helped me grow into the person I am today. He was my hero.”

Born and raised in Honoka‘a, Dominic Yagong often said he bled green and gold for his alma mater, Honoka‘a High School, where he graduated in 1977.

Fellow classmate Valerie Poindexter said Dominic was the one who would always pull the class together throughout the years.

Even in his high school years, Poindexter said Dominic was a leader from football quarterback to student body president.

“Our community has just lost a truly great leader,” Poindexter said. “He’s like our Hawaiian Superman.”

One of Dominic’s major milestones, Chelsea Yagong said, was her father’s work in organizing the Centennial Celebration of Honokaʻa High School in 1989, followed by the 130-year celebration in 2019 and, most recently the 135-year celebration in 2024, which took him nearly five years to organize.

Chelsea Yagong said her dad suffered his first stroke in July 2024, weeks before the 135th anniversary celebration of Honoka‘a High School. She remembers getting call from her dad telling her to bring him his phone charger because his phone died and he needed to get in touch with the planning committee.

“Chelsea, I cannot let people down,” her dad told her.

He pushed through and recovered from the stroke, which temporarily impacted his speech, to be able to attend the event.

“He loved Honoka‘a, and he loved the Big Island,” Chelsea Yagong said.

But her dad went on to suffer a more severe stroke in May, which ultimately affected his speech and motor skills. He got sick in December, and was taken to the hospital in Hilo.

Chelsea Yagong said her dad chose to receive comfort measures care.

Alameda considered Dominic Yagong a close friend and mentor. The mayor said he got to know Dominic while he worked under the Kenoi administration in the Hawai‘i County Office of Aging. They became closer friends during Alameda’s run for office in 2024.

Alameda presented Dominic with a Certificate of Commendation on Feb. 15 for his retirement. Dominic Yagong’s career spanned 47 years, where he worked in management for KTA Super Stores, the Sullivan Family of Companies, Associa Hawai‘i, Hawaiiana Management Company and Foot Locker.

Poindexter succeeded Dominic as a council member representing the Hāmākua District in 2012. When she was inaugurated as council chair, the former councilwoman said Dominic Yagong showed up with lei. During her time in office, Poindexter said she would reach out to Dominic for guidance.

“Anytime I was thinking negatively or not feeling confident, he would turn it around,” Poindexter said. “I remember what he told me: to love people and where they’re at.”

Alameda visited Dominic Yagong in the hospital in December.

“He had a hard time talking, so he would gesture,” Alameda said. “Praying with him was deeply comforting. We cried together.”

Alameda described Yagong as a fierce champion for the underdog and who encouraged him to always make time to hear people’s concerns and validate their feelings — to listen with his heart.

“That’s what I try to do,” Alameda said. “Not just hear their words, but how they’re saying it. I will miss his guidance immensely.”

Darde Gamayo, DJ at KAPA radio and Honoka‘a resident, has known Dominic for years and worked with him on several events, including the anniversary celebrations of Honoka‘a High School.

“When he had a vision, he stuck to it and saw that it was carried through from beginning to end,” Gamayo said.

She will be dedicating two of her radio shows this week to Yagong: on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Friday to Aunty Nālani from 6 to 10 a.m. To listen in, tune into 99.1 FM in Kona or 100.3 FM in Hilo.

A celebration of life for Dominic Yagong is being planned to allow the family and community to honor his life and legacy.

He is survived by his mother, Virginia Yagong; brothers Basilio Yagong Jr. and David Yagong; and sister Kathleen (Charlie) Boyce. He is also survived by his children Jeremy Yagong, Rylee Yagong, Angellee Yagong and Chelsea Yagong, and granddaughters Jayda Yagong-Yamamoto and Evie Fujioka.