Skipper Departing

[AVGWarhawk]

Passing of Former USS Torsk CO

Evans Paliku Kanaiaupuni King, 86, a retired navy Captain and Financial Planner died July 10, 2009 in Honolulu of complications from pneumonia.

The youngest son of Samuel Wilder King, former Governor of Hawaii and youngest brother of Judge Samuel P. King, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1945 with a B.S. in Engineering. He went on to attend submarine school and served on submarines during the last days of World War II.

As part of his submarine tours, he participated in the nuclear bomb testing at Bikini Atoll. As commander of the submarine USS Torsk he led the US Fleet in the opening of the Saint Lawrence Seaway and was a submarine squadron commander during the Cuban Missile Blockade.

During the Vietnam War he was Captain of the USS Manatee, an oiler and supply ship that sailed on the Vietnam coast supplying various naval vessels. Paliku's service as assistant director of logistics at the Pentagon earned him his first Legion of Merit. His second Legion of Merit was a result of his leadership during his posting as Commander, Hawaiian Sea Frontier. Culminating his 30 year career, Paliku served as Chief of Staff of the 14th Naval District, Pearl Harbor. During this time he was responsible for naval operations Pacific-wide.

After a very successful naval career, Paliku saw a need to help military families plan for their own futures after service and in retirement. For twenty years he helped families with insurance and financial planning needs. During this time in his life, Paliku traveled extensively and enjoyed an active and challenging lifestyle as evidenced by his participation in the Elder Hostel programs and almost non-stop bridge games.

Paliku met his wife Zori Rosalia Vidok in San Diego, California as a young Lieutenant. After 41 years of marriage Zori passed away. Paliku is survived by their two daughters Mahi Savage, Annandale, Virginia and Pauline King, Fort Worth, Texas; two grandchildren, Michael L.K. Savage and Katherine M.P. Savage, Annandale, Virginia; brother Judge Samuel P. King and sister Professor Pauline N. King, Honolulu, Hawaii.