Bob Worthington
Bob Worthington | |
---|---|
Honorary Consul of the Cook Islands to the United States | |
In office March 19, 1985 – 2008 | |
Succeeded by | Office closed |
Personal details | |
Born | January 31, 1936[1] Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii |
Died | August 14, 2008 Honolulu, Hawaii | (aged 72)
Spouse | Jean Rereao Karika Worthington |
Robert Eugene Worthington (January 31, 1936 – August 14, 2008) was the U.S. former
Additionally, Worthington served on the
Biography
Early life
Bob Worthington was born in
He earned a scholarship to Occidental College in California where he received his bachelor's degree in political science.[2]
Worthington moved to the Cook Islands, where he married his Cook Islander wife, Jean Rereao Karika Worthington. He and his family returned to Hawaii in 1974.[2]
Career
Worthington was considered to be an advocate of closer cultural ties between Hawaii and other Polynesian island nations, especially the Cook Islands, French Polynesia and New Zealand.[4] He also advocated for a renewed interest in Polynesian and Hawaiian culture, even before the beginning of the Hawaiian Renaissance during the 1970s.[2]
Worthington became the director of financial services at the
Worthington placed significant importance on the establishment of cultural, political,
Honorary Consul of the Cook Islands
Worthington was appointed the
In early 2008, the Foreign Minister of Cook Islands Wilkie Rasmussen announced the closure of the Cook Islands consulate office in Hawaii, which was held by Worthington, due to rising costs and expenses.[6]
Death
Bob Worthington died in
Worthington's funeral and memorial service was held at the
A separate "spiritual ceremony" was held in honor of Worthington at the Taputapuatea marae on the island of Raiatea in French Polynesia.[3] Worthington had been best known in French Polynesia for his part in the organization of the first Hawaii to Tahiti voyage of the Hokule'a Polynesian sailing canoe voyage in 1975 through the Polynesian Voyaging Society.[3] Another memorial service was held for local Cook Islanders in Sinai Hall in the Cook Islands.[8]
The former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Geoffrey Henry, who attended Worthington's memorial service in Hawaii, spoke of his contributions to the Cook Islands, "Bob was always there, incessantly helpful, with iconic efficiency, grace and enthusiasm. He helped secure the support of the governor of Hawaii, allowing us to establish our first office in the United States."[2]
Current Cook Islands Prime Minister
References
- ^ Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014. Social Security Administration.
- ^ Honolulu Star Bulletin. 2008-08-22. Retrieved 2008-09-02.
- ^ a b c "'Spiritual Ceremony' On Raiatea For Hawaii's Late Bob Worthington". Tahitipresse. Pacific Magazine. 2008-08-27. Retrieved 2008-09-04.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Honolulu Advertiser. 2008-08-21. Retrieved 2008-09-04.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c "PIAF says farewell to Robert E. Worthington". Pacific Islands News Association. 2008-08-27. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
- ^ "Hawaii Honorary Consul to Go". Government of the Cook Islands. 2008-02-11. Archived from the original on 2008-10-05. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
- ^ "Bob's last journey". Cook Islands Herald. 2008-08-30. Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
- ^ "Locals pay tribute to Bob". Cook Islands Herald. 2008-08-30. Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
- ^ "HAWAIIAN VISIONARY ROBERT WORTHINGTON DIES". Pacific Islands Report. 22 August 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2020.