David "Koko" Mahukona, a pioneer among Hawai'i basketball officials, died Dec. 29 of natural causes after suffering from dementia for several years.

He was 87.

Along with James Aiona, Mahukona was a leader among Hawai'i basketball officials and was among the first to referee major college games here with the emergence of the Rainbow Classic in the 1960s.

He also was president of the State Association of Hawai'i Basketball Officials and recruited and assigned many of the officials for high school and recreational leagues.

"He pioneered basketball officiating here," said Pat Tanibe, a longtime colleague of Mahukona who until recently was supervisor of Interscholastic League of Honolulu officials. "He was instrumental in helping people get involved, and he had good communication with coaches and players."

Mahukona was a civilian employee at Schofield Barracks and a part-time travel agent, but he became well known in the sports community as a basketball referee. In one famous incident in 1971, nationally ranked Florida State forfeited a game against the University of Hawai'i's "Fabulous Five" with Mahukona officiating.

UH led 30-10 in the first half when Florida State coach Hugh Durham protested a foul, charged onto the court, admittedly used "obscene language" and was given two technicals and ejected. But he refused to leave the court.

Mahukona told Durham he had to leave the court or the game was over, and Durham refused, so Mahukona called the game. Florida State went on to reach the NCAA championship game later that season, losing to UCLA.

"His style was no-nonsense," Tanibe said. "He would call it straight."

Mahukona's leadership influenced many future officials and supervisors.

"He was the one who got me started," said Lloyd Hisaka, another longtime referee/supervisor. "He was a leader for modern-day officiating here."

Mahukona continued to officiate park league basketball into the early 1990s.

"He was a great guy, a caring guy," said current ILH official Ryan Sueoka. "He was the foundation."

Services are pending.

MANLIGUIS SERVICE SET FOR TODAY IN HILO

A memorial service for longtime Hilo High boys basketball coach Larry Manliguis will be held today in Hilo.

Manliguis, 65, died Dec. 27 after a bout with cancer.

Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. at Dodo Mortuary; service at 6.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.