Birth date: Nov 30, 1951 Death date: Jul 25, 2017
Jeffrey M. Melrose, 65, of Hilo, Hawai’i died July 25, 2017, at Hospice of Hilo Pohai Malama Care Center. Raised in Makawao, Maui, he was a land manager and planner for large land owners, including Kamehameha Schools and Amfac Haw Read Obituary
He was a good and gracious human being; I was fortunate to have had made his acquaintance and had many conversations with him. Joel LaPinta
Julie -- I am so sorry for your loss. Jeff was a wonderful and talented person. I wish you the best in getting through this most difficult time. Aloha no, Ruth Robison
I loved my discussions with Jeff! We challenged each other and we agreed on a lot of things. I always looked forward to our meetings and talk story sessions. He will be missed by many and I am happy to have known Jeff! Aloha and God Bless Julie and to the rest of the Melrose Ohana.
Dear Julie, I am so sorry for your loss and will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. My memory is that the two of you enjoyed each other's company in so many ways and supported each other. I think I last talked to Jeff last year for the dedication of the walkways in downtown Hilo. With deepest sympathy, Helen Hemmes
Jeff Melrose was a colleague, neighbor, a friend, and a great communicator.
American writer and director Joss Whedon, said - "every time we open our mouths, we have the opportunity to divide or connect." I can honestly say that every time I heard Jeff speak, he was making an concerted effort to connect.
Jeff connected and he cared; about people, and their dreams and plans.
His family and friends. The land.
And he cared about creating peace.
When my husband Jim had cancer, Jeff rode his bicycle over to our house, and did a boatload of yard work. Jeff single-handedly beat back the overgrown 6 foot heliconia that were threatening to take over. He also took it on himself to weedwhack the overgrowth at Boiling Pots, down near the rocks by the water.
Although he was fierce with the plants, Jeff was gentle in every other way.
Jeff was the guy who pulled me onto the KMC board. He was Mike to my Malia, in PSAs we wrote and recorded together for radio.
He patiently put up with my misbehaving ways.
Before our last board meeting in June, Jeff reported that his iron levels were low.
Now, I ask you - who among you wouldn't have whipped out a steam iron from your bag, and slide it across the table to Jeff, - if it might make him smile? He did smile.
I will miss that smile, and so much more about my friend Jeff Melrose.
Jim and I send love and strength to Julie and the family.
Thank you for allowing me these moments of remembrance. 💖
Jeff was a very unique and valued member of Hawaii's agricultural community. He saw what no one else had seen, that we needed to know where we were, what our "assets" were, and the state of agriculture in today's world so that we could use that foundation upon which to grow a more vibrant agriculture. Jeff was tireless in his quest to understand land use, food production, and all forms of agriculture, so that others could also know and understand what he had discovered. His work both for Hawai'i Island and for the entire state will live onward as documents that will be used by the many for years and years to come. He was kind, and always willing to listen, and he wanted to know what other's thought. He always took that information into his consideration when making decisions. I enjoyed the time I worked with him at The Kohala Center, and I also enjoyed being with him on the Ulupono Leadership Network's "Seeing Around Corners: The Future of Agriculture" group that met in Honolulu. We didn't always see eye to eye, but I always valued his opinions and thoughts and have deep gratitude for the immense body of work he is leaving behind. My deepest sympathies to his wife Julie, daughter Leah, Stepson Patrick, Mother Charlotte, brother Ken, and sister Anne, and all the grandchildren and extended family. No one who ever worked with him will forget his contributions to our entire state!
Aloha,
Nancy Redfeather
Kawanui Farm
Kona, Hawai'i
Jeff and I were classmates at the Hawaii Preparatory Academy. And we reconnected after many years at the HPA class reunions over the years, where we discovered that we thought alike in many ways and shared many of the same passions. I last saw him at our 45th reunion in 2014, and then a couple of days later I drove from Waimea to Hilo to have lunch with him and continue our conversation.
I had the utmost respect for his commitment to the land, to Hawaii, to his community and to his family. Even back in high school I remember him as a very kind man, with a delightful bubbling sense of humor, and one of the warmest smiles I've ever seen on anyone. As an adult, he was an inspiration to me with his continuing kindness, his humor, his enthusiasm for everything, especially the land and people of Hawaii. It was a pleasure and privilege to have known him for all these years, and to have been able to call him friend. I am very grateful that I had a chance to talk to him on the phone six weeks or so ago, and to tell him in person how much his friendship has meant to me. I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends--we have all lost one of the brightest lights in our life. Steve Muni HPA, Class of '69.
