RICHARD RIC NEFF MAIAVA Richard “Ric” Neff Maiava passed away peacefully at his home in Hilo on a beautiful Monday afternoon, May 22, 2023. Ric was born in Haar, Germany on August 24, 1947. At the age of 9, Ric was relocated from Canada to Laie, Oahu when his mother, Ola, married Neff Maiava, the well-known wrestler from the 50th State of Wrestling Fame in Hawaii. Ric graduated from St. Louis High School in 1965 after which he traveled to Lake Tahoe wherein he honed his skills as a restaurant manager and as an artist: a painter, carved sign maker and a sketch artist. Ric was very talented and that talent helped him to design and manage two of Hilo’s well-known restaurants: Ken’s House of Pancakes, General Manager for 33 years and Ponds Hilo, Owner for 15 years. Ric is survived by his only son, Jess Ric Alexsi Chiu Quong Maika’i Maiava, his business partner and caregiver, Debra Ching Maiava, and his 3 loving sisters: Pammy, Sri and Michele, including several nieces and nephews. Celebration of Ric’s Life and Loves will be held on Tuesday, October 24th from 1pm-4pm at the Arc of Hilo Event Center at 1099 Waianuenue Ave, Hilo, Hi, 96720. Please Join Us!