Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 8, 1 August 2010 — CJ -- a legal, kind and gifted giant [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CJ -- a legal, kind and gifted giant

/ was driving home from Kona when my wife called me to tell me that "CJ" had passed away ; ChiefJustice William Richardson. I was blessed to have worked for this kind, gifted and gentle man twice: as a Probation Officer with Family Courtfrom 1970-77 (he was CJ then) and when I was a Neighbor Island Resource Center Coordinatorfor Kamehameha Schools (CJ became a Bishop Estate Trustee). The Star-Advertiser/fetf<///>;e upon his passing characterized him as "A legal giant," whieh indeed he was, buthe was also "a gentle giant," "a gentle, kind and gifted man." The mind is an amazing maelnne. I reflected 011 the times when I worked out ofthe President's Office on the Kapālama Campus (1988-1990). CJwould eall Mrs. Bento to see ifl was around and I would end up at his Kawaiaha 'o Plaza ojfice to "talk story." There was always focus to the conversations. What he needed was an ear, and I was tndy blessed it was mi.ne. We talked about a diversity of issues. CJ was always kind,

thoughtful, open, considerate, pragmatic and had a wonderful sense ofhumor. Ifelt safe around him. Aformer colleague and etemal friend Neil Hannahs delivered a most heartfelt eulogy at CJ's service at St. Andrews Cathedral 011 the morning ofJuly 9. With Neil's permission, an excerpt ofhis eulogy is reprinted here. May God bless CJ and his 'ohana.

When CJ eame to Kamehameha Schools, he proved an easy fit with Trustees Matsy Takabuki, Papa Richard Lyman, Pinky Thompson and for a brief period Frank Midkiff before he retired and Henry Peters filled his position. Winona Rubin thought that CJ would bring "experience, insight and dignity" to the job. Gard Keal-

oha called him a "fine man" who "wp.11 likp.H in fhp.

Hawaiian community." The Honolulu Advertiser editorialized that CJ "brings to the position many qualities, among them the wide respect of the community, a reputation for absolute integrity and a commitment to the well-being of the people and state of Hawai'i." CJ understood the significance of his appointment. At a ceremonial

weleome, he called the trusteeship "a great privilege" and said, "the greatest thing a Hawaiian ean do is to assist the entire race to rise to a position of esteem and greatness in the world." CJ grasped the issue of sustainability long before it heeame a mainstream eoneem. He understood that trustees of a perpetual Hawaiian trust must be advocates for generations yet unborn. He onee said, "conservation of natural resources is becoming increasingly

important to Hawaiians and nonHawaiians alike. Trustees must be knowledgeable semi-futurists, able to envision what land should be used for 100 years in the future." He went on, "Today, trustees need to be well-rounded, able to govern the Schools' education program, scrutinize all investment opportunities and weigh advantages and disadvantages of every land development proposal. Not only do they have to generate ineome for the Schools, but they must preserve resources for its perpetuity. Finally, they must have a 'heart' for the Hawaiian people and the mission they are entrusted with fulfilling." The Probate Court is currently considering candidates for an upcoming vacancy on our Board of Trustees. They would do well by considering CJ's mana'o and criteria. The warm smile, pensive nature and genial demeanor that CJ brought to our boardroom contributed to a productive and collegial environment. He: raised vigorous resistance to laws

and court rulings that forced the sale of Pauahi's land legacy facilitated the update of the Founder's Will and codicils to ensure they were front and center in decision-making and guided the creation of an internal Legal Group that he believed would more effectively and efficiently address issues arising from an increasingly litigious society. CJ was clearly comfortable in the boardroom, but he absolutely sparkled in the presence of young people. He gave generously of himself, investing the time to forge a special bond with our students, often joining boarders for meals and through regular . . . and avid . . . attendance at sporting events and other activities. It was a renaissance period for Kamehameha Schools, as leadership pushed to improve the quantity and quality of services offered to beneficiaries through the: expansion of outreach programs, launeh of early education services, research in literacy education, and investment in a master plan for the Kapālama campus

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Rūbert K. Lindsey, Jr. Trustee, Hawai'i

LINDSEY Continued from page 30

that led to the construction of the 'Akahi Dining Hall, Ruth Ke'elikōlani Performing Arts Complex, Kapoukahi Industrial Arts Complex and the Berniee Pauahi Bishop Memorial Chapel & Heritage Center. While CJ supported communitybased initiatives that extended the Schools' reach, he was particularly passionate about expanding the enrollment and enhancing the aeademic rigor of the Kapālama campus secondary school. He wanted to provide Hawaiian youth with educational advantages that would allow them to blossom and lead our community. These additional enrollment opportunities were CJ's gift to future generations. With this gift, with his landmark ruling that ensured water resources for customary uses, with his court decision that protected traditional rights of access, with his persistence in creating and building Hawai'i's law school, CJ "paid it forward." This enduring inheritance comes with profound kuleana for those of us who now benefit from his wisdom and efforts. We must understand that: The privilege of traditional access comes with the obligation of resource stewardship. The privilege of water utilization

comes with the obligation to conserve this waiwai . . . this precious source of the type of weahh that cannot be measured by dollars and jobs. The privilege of Kamehameha admission comes with the obligation for our students and alumni to contribute to the well-being of other beneficiaries. The privilege of graduation from the Richardson School of Law comes with an obligation for these emergent professionals to take leadership in pursuing justice, representing the interests of the disenfranchised and shaping a more equitable society. Those of us who have enjoyed these many privileges should realize that we owe mueh to CJ ... this man, upon whose broad shoulders we now stand. We would do well to heed the wise counsel of our kūpuna who said: "Mai kāpae i ke a'o a ka makua, aia he ola malaila" - Do not set aside the teachings of one's parents for there is life there. CJ served not just Kamehameha Schools, but our entire community with distinction and we are deeply appreciative of his leadership and many contributions. The best way we ean honor CJ's life is by conducting ourselves in a manner that respects the significance of his gifts and by leaving our own legacies for future generations. I maika'i ke kalo i ka 'ohā. Rinnie, Bebe, Billy, mahalo for sharing your dad with all us. Aloha nō, CJ, me ke Akua pū. ■

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