Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 4, 1 April 2014 — Rodney "Boy" Kealiʻimaniai Burgess III 1942-2014 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Rodney "Boy" Kealiʻimaniai Burgess III 1942-2014

Former OHA trustee's pursuit of ceded lands claims was strengthened by his 'great knowledge of land values'

By Garett Kamemoto Former Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Rodney "Boy" Keali'imahiai Burgess III is being remembered as an innovative businessman who vigorously pursued ceded land claims that led to retroactive payments to OHA and increased revenues from the state. He died in March at the age

of 71. Trustee Rowena Akana, who served as co-chair of Burgess' first campaign, credits his work toward a settlement of past-due revenues due OHA. "I attribute our first settlement with the State of Hawai'i in 1993 to the efforts of Rod and his great knowledge of land values." She added, "the first 10 years of the Office of

Hawaiian Affairs were different for the trustees because they worked for very little compensation. They all should be commended for their dedication and commitment to our Hawaiian people." Burgess was a successful businessman running a number of enterprises when he

decided to run for the first Board of Trustees. He left behind many of his business enterprises to serve as a trustee. He served from 1980 to 1990 and was chairman of the Land and Natural Resources Committee, and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees, among other leadership posts. He was appointed by Gov. George Ariyoshi and the Secretary of the Interior to the Federal-State Task Force on Hawaiian Homes. He led efforts at OHA to defend kuleana lands from quiet title actions and was a strong advocate for Hawaiian self-governance, Hawaiian language schools and Hawaiian cultural centers. One of Burgess' sons, Kāwika, now serves at OHA as Ka Pou Nui, Chief Operating Officer.

Burgess is survived by his mother, Margaret; brothers, Reynard and Randall; sons Chad, Eric, Kāwika and Kona; daughters Danielle Cunha, Crystal Cabral and Eala Burgess; and seven grandchildren. Memorial service will be held 1 1 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, at Nu'uanu Memorial Park and Mortuary. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Aloha Attire. ■

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OHA Trustee Rodney Burgess served from 1 980-1 990. - Photo: KWOArchives