I was sorry to see Arlene Kim Ellis on the obituary pages of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser this weekend.

ARLENE KIM ELLIS
Posted On November 11th, 2018 – Honolulu Star-Advertiser Obituaries

March 16, 1926 – October 19, 2018 Age 92, passed away peacefully at home with family. Smart, successful, outgoing, and worldly, Mom was always generous and lively. With her winning smile and infectious laugh, she will be sorely missed as she looks down at us in heaven. She is survived by her son Bill Ellis, Daughter Ola and Kelly Ellis. Grandkids Haley, Kira, and Jesse. Sister Helen Griffin, with Nieces and Nephews. “Mom,” “Grammy,” “Aunty Pokhee” We will always keep you forever in our hearts. A celebration of life will be held Saturday November 17 @ Mililani Downtown Mortuary, 20 South Kukui St., Honolulu, Hawaii. Visitation 5pm; services 6pm. *In lieu of flowers please make any donations to hospice hawaii c/o Arlene K Ellis*

I never knew Arlene in her mom role.

But throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she was president of the League of Women Voters of Honolulu, and represented it well as its most prominent local voice.

Whether testifying in city and state hearings, or writing letters to the editor in an effort to impact public opinion, hers was a familiar name during the period.

The League made its presence known on a wide range of issues, urging that the public’s role in planning be enhanced rather than diminished, pushing for open transparency in government operations, promoting public participation in elections, and bemoaning the impacts of big money in local elections. She wasn’t afraid to weigh in, sometimes spelling out a minority viewpoint, on hot topics like Honolulu’s then-proposed convention center and rail.

Arlene, and the League, were vigilant, active, and tenacious.

I hadn’t crossed paths with Arlene in a long time, but I know–and hope other people will remember–how much she did for all of us over many years.