Augustin Rojas

The Angels took Augie to Heaven on April 22, 2019 at the age of 94 to join his wife, Antonieta, in God’s loving care. Augie was born in Waialua, Oahu, to Luis and Petra Rojas. The family soon moved to Hawi in North Kohala (Hawai’i Island), the town he called home.

During WWII, Augie served in the Pacific as a Sgt. in the U.S. Army’s 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment. After the war, he took part in the occupation and rehabilitation of Japan.

He met his future wife, Antonieta “Toni” Belsarena, while she was on her way to California from the Philippines. She stopped in Honolulu to visit a relative; Augie happened to visit at the same time from Hawi. He almost instantly fell in love with Toni and promised to go after her in California, which he did. They were married in 1950. In 1999, his beloved wife passed away.

Augie worked for the LAUSD as a Supervising Gardener for 36 years.

He was a valuable member of the Board of Trustees at Wilmington First United Methodist Church, volunteering his time and skill to repair, clean, replace and/or build what he could.

Besides his church, he supported the North Kohala Community Resource Center and the Paralyzed Veterans of America. He was a life member of VFW Post 1572 in Waipahu.

He leaves behind his daughter, Genevieve, and his sons, Philip and Austin, his daughter-in-law, Gulnara, and his two-year-old grandson, Ayden.

Augie was a quiet and hardworking gentleman: courteous, helpful, and generous, with a true belief in God. He was active ‘til the end, working in his garden and planning future projects.

The family wishes to thank their neighbors and friends, including Carmen & Angel Rivera, Paul Cadlaon, Moses Pascua, Priscilla Dayrit, and especially Melissa Dayrit Harris for her exceptional support, advice, and tireless activity.

“God planted a seed with faith in his heart so all we have to do is water it with prayers, fertilize it with words of God and cultivate it with love.”