councilman John Santangelo

John L Santangelo

 John was born in New London, CT but spent most of his childhood in the Pacific Northwest graduating from Columbia High School in Richland WA.  In 1964 John enlisted in the US Navy and after basic and specialty training was stationed at Barbers Point working in Aviation Electronics for communications and navigations. 

While serving in the Navy, John met and married Dorene Davis whose family of many generations is from Maui.

After his Navy service, he graduated from the Honolulu Institute of Electronics and began a civilian career in electronics:  He joined SONY and eventually became their Service Manager for the State, then with Transworld Communications Honolulu where they initiated the first on-demand movie systems in Hawaii’s hotel industry, then with his own business Doron Electronics in Waipahu.

In the 70’s, they escaped crowded Oahu to raise their family on the Big Island, and they had 2 children Shon and Noelani. Recognizing the opportunities, they started Na’alehu Appliance Repair and also the Na’alehu Fruit Stand, which became a focal point of the Ka’u community.

John became very active in the community:  he served as 3 time president of the Na’alehu Community Club, District Chair of the Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council, Chairman of the Vulcan Booster Scholarship program, School Board Member and Finance Chair of St Joseph High School, President of the Puna Federal Credit Union, treasurer and president of the Na’alehu Elementary and Intermediate School PTA, President of T Ball and Midget Major Baseball Club, and active in the Ka’u Lions Club, Special Olympics, Headstart Hawaii Island, Kilauea Masonic Lodge, Mountain View School SCBM, Portuguese and Japanese Chambers, a volunteer for many charitable organizations and active  in Prison Ministry.

While at a public forum concerning the closure of the Pahala Sugar plantation, and was observed by Walter Moe (our first Conservative Forum President) The people were being instructed on how to get handouts.  This did not set well for community minded John who believed in personal responsibility and hand ups. 

Walter convinced him to run for County Council District 6, which he did successfully, serving one term. He also served on the Hawaii County Charter Review Commission 1999-2000, the Ka’u Rural Health Task Force and as a representative to the White House Conference on Aging. 

Dorene tragically passed away and John moved to Waimea, opened a sod farm business and became Operations Manager of Island Utilities Service, and  became a partner in Tropical Fish Ponds Hawaii aquaculture.

He now lives in Kona and is Vice President/Development for Waiamea Water Service. Last May he married his wife Susan, whom he knew as a legislative aide to Hawaii County Councilman Joe Reynolds. The family now includes 2 stepsons, their families and 5 grandchildren.

He is continues to be passionate about God, family, country and community.