Did he have GPS?

I don't think so. He didn't mention GPS and he said he had not been
receiving any signal from PHK on his nav receiver.

I had a Garmin GPS 195 portable and a King KLN 89A in the panel with an
out of date database. I did not file any remarks indicating that I had
area nav on board.

Can you not assign a route via dead VORs if the aircraft
can still navigate it?

Yes, if the aircraft is /E, /F, /G, or /R.

I filed /A