Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 1, 1 January 2013 — HEHOʻOMANAʻO IN MEMORIAM [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HEHOʻOMANAʻO IN MEMORIAM

An officer and a gentleman David M. Peters 1923-2012

Amember of the Royal Order of Kamehameha, Hale o Nā Ali'i, the board of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Education Foundation, a decorated officer in the U.S. Army and a trustee of the Queen Lili'uokalani Trust, Maui-boy David Peters exemplified the essence of a leader. Peters died Nov. 25. He was 89. President of his junior and senior high school class, Peters was the first Maui student appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His military service included a combat tour in Korea

and two as a member of Special Forces in Vietnam, followed by a Cold War assignment to West Germany and the honors of a Silver Star, four Legions of Merit and three Bronze Stars. After three decades of service, he retired as a eolonel and immediately started a new job, serving as executive assistant to U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, managing the senator's Honolulu office from 1976 to 1990, where he handled the sticky topics of politics with grace and a smile that gave assurance that he was always listening. In 1978 he became a trustee of

Queen Lili'uokalani Trust where he served the orphaned and destitute children of Hawai'i for 29 years, 10 as chairman. When he was asked for an opinion, Peters listened, considered the information and, smiling his infectious smile, gently prefaced his comments with, "You might consider this." Bill Souza, protocol officer of the Royal Order of Kamehameha calls Peters "a warrior by trade, fighting to inspire youth." At one of his many awards presentations Peters accepted the honor of the day, saying he wanted to be remembered "as an individual caring for and assisting others to make their lives better" - a feat, according to his colleagues and associates, that he accomplished with grace. Peters is survived by his wife, Mary Melekahana, three daughters, three sons, 18 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He will be buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the David M. Peters Scholarship Fund at Chaminade University, Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center, Ke Ali'i Pauahi Foundation or Prince Kūhiō Hawaiian Civic Club. Online condolences at borthwickoahu.com. — Lynn Cook

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David Peters. - Courtesy photo