Randy Borden, Hawaiian Athlete, Singer

Randy Kamuela Borden of Redmond was an expert at opening new doors.

When a college injury dashed his hopes of playing professional football, the 6-foot-6, 270-pound athlete turned to singing. He became a favorite in Hawaii, opening for shows by Michael Jackson, Andy Gibb and Natalie Cole.

When the music business no longer served him, he moved to Washington to open karate schools and empower young people.

And when his health failed, he threw himself into showing his family unconditional support and attention.

Mr. Borden, 45, died of colon cancer Sunday (Oct. 26).

" `Never give up,' was his motto," said his wife of 24 years, Patrice Borden. "He was diagnosed in 1995 and given a few months to live, but he lived on almost three years with his incredibly positive mental attitude.

"Randy was an amazing father to our children . . . He was not only at every game but at darn near every practice. All that mattered was his kids."

Born in Hoolehua on the island of Molokai, Mr. Borden grew up in the traditions of his half-native-Hawaiian parents. At age 10 he toured with a youth group to Japan to perform dance and music of Hawaii.

He also was a top athlete.

"He still is known as one of the best athletes to come out of Hawaii," said his wife. "In high school he was an all-star in basketball and football."

Mr. Borden went to Brigham Young University on a football scholarship, but injuries ended his sports career. Returning to Hawaii, he taught himself guitar and sang in the duo John and Randy. They cut a soft-rock album in the 1970s and another in 1981. Mr. Borden made a solo album in 1994 and with his old partner released a CD in August, "E Ho'i Mai" (Return to the Source).

He moved to Washington in 1985 to open karate schools in Quincy, Grant County; Cashmere, Chelan County; Wenatchee and Chelan, near his wife's family. They moved to Seattle in 1986.

"He turned karate into a nonthreatening, positive experience for kids," said his wife. "He had taken kids who were said to be beyond hope and taken them to success, kids with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy . . . it was all about the mental aspect. For him karate was self-defense and a way to achieve mental strength and focus."

He gave school assemblies, did volunteer work with the Boys & Girls Clubs and performed in Seahawks pregame shows.

"He was a great idea man, a huge man, and just a hoot," said his wife.

Other survivors include his children Pomaika'i Borden Taggart and Maui Kamuela Borden, both of San Diego; and Kanoa Hookano Borden and Makai Waiwaiole Borden, Redmond; and two grandchildren.

Services have been held. Remembrances may go to the Randy Borden Memorial Fund, 22914 N.E. 24th Place, Redmond, WA 98053.

Carole Beers' phone message number is 206-464-2391. Her e-mail address is: cbee-new@seatimes.com