Jan 10, 1946 - Aug 31, 2017. Ralph was born in Kailua Kona and was a proud Native Hawaiian and descendant of Kahiwakanekapolei and Namiki'aiokalani. He was a Soldier, Aviator, Educator, Trainer, and Youth Advocate. Col. Hiatt was a devoted cadet in the University of Hawaii Army ROTC, completed an illustrious military career, and continued his service to the home and country he loved, well into retirement.

As a cadet he set marksmanship records which still stand after 50 years. He was the first UH Army ROTC cadet to earn a pilot's license, and finished as Distinguished Graduate.

His military service encompassed a 26 year Army Career including being a combat veteran and master aviator. He logged 500 hours in Vietnam and Persian Gulf theaters. He directed Army Special Operations Aviation forces in countering terrorism on 6 continents and supported elite units (including DELTA FORCE, Navy SEALS, and Army Rangers). He served in various intelligence, nuclear, and Secretary of Defense Executive assignments, and operated the nation’s largest military flight school (with 4 FAA airports and 14 auxiliary airfields, involving 400,000 flight hours of operations, with over 3.5 million annual movements and over 10,000 aviation students a year).

After, his Army career, he oriented his service to the state he loved. He developed an Air Cargo Data Collection system for the Hawaii Department of Transportation to track state worldwide commodity exports and served voluntarily as a Commissioner for the same. He directed FAA approved pilot training at Honolulu Community College resulting in over 600 FAA pilot certifications and nearly 200 FAA aeronautical mechanics certificates.

He coordinated ROTC/JROTC cadet scholarship programs producing over $140,000 in educational scholarships for Hawaii’s youth, and has recognized cadet achievement through nearly 1,300 leadership awards for 58 schools in Hawaii and throughout the Pacific. He sponsored the high schools air rifle programs awards and created Hawaii High School State championship marksmanship awards. He also directed the Punchbowl Veterans Day ceremonies from 2012-2014.

He is preceded in death by his parents Rose Keolaokalani Springer Hiatt and George William Hiatt. He is remembered by his beloved wife Lola Kalanikapulahaole Stillman Hiatt, his son and daughter-in-law Giorgio and Amanda, and his grandchildren Carver and Springer. He was blessed with step sons and daughters (and grandchildren) Keola and Jeanelle (Aaron & Abigail), Noah and Kei (Makanalani), Shelley and Ikaika (Kalanimoku) and the entire Stillman Ohana.

Service Times: Thurs, Sept 7th, Mystical Rose Oratory at Chaminade University Visitation: 3:30-5:30pm. Service: 5:30-6:30pm.

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