Under the leadership of trustee David M. Peters, the Queen Liliuokalani Trust expanded its programs across the state to better serve its beneficiaries — orphaned and destitute children of Hawaii.
"He was a great ambassador for the trust," said board Chairman and Managing Trustee Thomas K. Kaulukukui Jr.
Peters died Nov. 25 at Castle Medical Center. He was 89.
He became a trustee in 1978, serving for 29 years, 10 as chairman.
Peters was born in Honolulu and later moved to Wailuku with his family. He was the first from Maui to be appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
Peters spent 30 years in the Army, with a combat tour in Korea, two combat tours in Vietnam and service in West Germany during the Cold War. He was honored with numerous awards, including the Silver Star.
He retired as a colonel and worked as executive assistant to U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. He was in charge of Inouye’s Honolulu office from 1976 to 1990.
Kaulukukui said Peters brought his military experience of organizational management and leadership as well as innovation and creativity to the trust, established by the queen in 1909. Peters was committed to ensuring that beneficiaries were properly served, he added.
Kaulukukui described Peters as "a people person" who was well-liked and widely respected.
Peters was also involved in many civic organizations such as Alu Like, a nonprofit organization he co-founded.
He also commanded the University of Hawaii Reserve Officers Training Corps unit.
Daughter Diane Peters-Nguyen said, "A great part of Dad’s legacy is the many young people he inspired through his life’s work. He pushed people to achieve their highest, beyond what they thought they could do.
"He lived his life as an example and as a leader."
Peters is also survived by wife Mary Melekahana, daughters Lauren Moriarty and Nani Burgess, sons Keven, Wade and Shane Kapaona, 18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Visitation will start at 2 p.m., followed by the service at 4 p.m. Burial will take place at a later date at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
