Birth date: Oct 8, 1978 Death date: Jan 23, 2026
Rene Dominic Ramos Afaga, 47, of Waipahu, passed away at home on January 23, 2026. He is survived by his family - Reynolfo Ayson Afaga, Valerie Ramos Afaga, Tristen Rei Ramos Afaga, Lindsey Reinelle Ramos Afaga, Megan Renee Ramos Read Obituary
It was a dark and stormy knight that started it all ☀️ first play ever and i had the honor of meeting (in my eyes) some of the theatre greats at the time ✨️ on our final show night, Reyn was doing my stage makeup and invited me to a party at Chupas. "Just my backyard where we go to hang out sometimes" 🤣🤣 it was obvi anything but that lol.
& there he was in all his GM glory! At the head of the table. The kindest, joke cracking, butt munch of a papa bear 🤣🤣🤣 he ended my shy era.. taught mw how to nerd, i even learned how to get drunk under his wing 😝 i've met some of the MOst radical souls and my closest friends 🥰✨️ so much to share and reminisce about Rene.... in short, im glad i got to know, LOve, nerd out & party with him ✨️ i know he's just waiting for his chance on revenge by abandoning me in antartica to get taken by The Thing 🤣🤣🤎
I have so many wonderful memories with Rene, it is hard to choose just one to mention here. I could talk about the different plays we saw and museums we visited, the Thursday night we made a conspiracy board and filled it with all the nonsense we could think of, him staying up almost all night with me to help me rehearse for my senior project presentation, watching him tear up at the Star Wars VII premier, celebrating Jólabókaflód with him each Christmas, him opening my eyes to the delicacy that is kimchi pancake, or him being the only person in the world to trust me enough to let me cut his hair (a huge risk on his part, tbh, but I did try my best).
But I think he might like to be remembered for his creativity and artistic ability, so I'll focus on that. From hearing him talk about his pathfinder quests, to reading his short stories, to seeing his work with graphic arts, photography, and even some origami, Rene showed me time and time again that he had a special gift for storytelling and design. He had this way of infusing authenticity and humor into everything he did that was just really captivating. Honestly, sometimes I was envious of how he didn't seem to be confined to the same parameters that I've always felt while writing. But of course he would humbly maintain that I could do it too, as if there was nothing unique about what he had done; he was always so encouraging and ready to believe in me. I will sorely miss that encouragement, but will try to continue learning and finding inspiration from his memory. I think he would want that from us.
It's really nice seeing the photos and posts on here by others who knew and loved him. It was always perfectly clear to me how much he cared for his family, his friends, his colleagues, and his pets, and it's a comfort to know he was so loved in return. Afaga family, you are in my prayers. ❤️
Rene,
I know its been a very long time since I have been around, and (predictably) I wish I made more of an effort to stop by every once in a while.
But I remember all the amazing times at Chupa's. The games, the drinks, the laughs, the stories. Everything. (You're literally the only people I have ever actually played pathfinder/DnD with and i could never find anyone as brilliant or as creative as you guys haha)
And the one thing you taught me was that "we always had a home here". And at the time I thought "Yeah, Chupas is home". A place where we can feel safe, and feel heard, and express ourselves. But I believe you meant something even greater (whether you knew it or not). That home is in the friends we make along the way. It's in our memories of one another. Whenever we felt sad, or afraid, or happy, or confused, we always, always have a place that we can go back to. And although time can change things and things can be lost to it, we still have a home. You and your brother taught me that.
By the randomness of the universe, I somehow crossed paths with your brother and met so many amazing and colorful people, and met you.
I hope you know all of the love that you were surrounded by, and the love that still surrounds you now.
Can't wait to run in to you again on the next adventure.
Love you. Miss you. And ill see you down the road.
I miss you everyday Rene! I’ll always remember our daily NYT games, Weds & Friday work sessions, and sharing our meals, Lego builds, & ACNH Islands. ❤️ & You would not believe, Taco Bell discontinued loaded beef nachos…
I will always cherish the fun memories talking with you at Chupas and the dinosaur themed campaign you wrote just for me when I came home from the mainland one summer. RIP, Rene.
