Business leader backed Hawaiian causes

Former Campbell Estate trustee and local business leader Fred Trotter was remembered by friends and colleagues for his extensive knowledge of agricultural and water issues as well as his commitment to causes important to native Hawaiians.

Trotter, a descendant of estate founder James Campbell, died Thursday after being hospitalized with pneumonia. He was 80.

Trotter was a director on the boards of Bank of Hawaii Corp. and Maui Land & Pineapple Co. until his death. He also served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including the Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, the Hawaii Management Alliance Association and the Aloha Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Trotter served as a trustee of the Campbell Estate from 1970 to 1991.

Most of Trotter’s career was spent in the sugar industry. He worked at plantations on all the major Hawaiian islands.

"His heart was deeply planted in Hawaiian soil and he was a strong champion of activities that benefit people who are indigenous to Hawaii," said David Heenan, a former Campbell Estate trustee who served on several corporate boards with Trotter. "He had a special sensitivity to Native Hawaiians in all of his decisions and actions."

Trotter’s business dealings were not without controversy, however. He filed for bankruptcy protection in 2003 to fend off creditors from his company, Koolau Agricultural Co., which developed water resources in Punaluu Valley in Windward Oahu. Koolau Agriculture also made headlines in 1989 when the state ordered it to restore Punaluu Stream after it changed the stream’s course without authority.

Trotter was one of 31 heirs to the $2.3 billion Campbell Estate when it was terminated in 2007 and its assets were distributed. Trotter’s share at the time was estimated at $25 million.

Trotter was born in Waipahu and launched his sugar career at Lihue Plantation on Kauai. He later worked for major plantations on Oahu, the Big Island and Maui, according to friends and family.

"Fred possessed an outstanding corporate knowledge with his background in agriculture," said Clint Churchill, who served as a Campbell Estate trustee until its termination. "He understood water as well as anyone in the state and its importance to agriculture and the land. Fred loved to be out on the farm or the ranch."

Up until his death, Trotter would take regular trips to the Yakima Valley fruit-growing region to help on an orchard operated by his wife’s family.

"Fred Trotter was a farmer to the bone," said his wife, Valerie. "You won’t find many people operating a D-9 tractor at the age of 80. He loved it."

She said Trotter was active in the community, but modest about his accomplishments.

"He wasn’t somebody who liked talking about the things he did," she said. "But he was somebody who did a lot of good things for many people."

Retired Navy Adm. Ronald Zlatoper, who worked as a Campbell trustee, said he and Trotter would meet regularly for breakfast at Zippy’s, where Trotter would share stories of his days on the plantation.

"I found him to be extremely knowledgeable on issues relating to Hawaii and agriculture. … He was very engaged and interested in what was going to happen on Oahu, specifically," Zlatoper said.

Trotter graduated from Punahou, where he played football and was later a coach. He also graduated from Oregon State University, where he payed center on the football team, Valerie Trotter said.

Trotter is also survived by sons Stuart, William, Robert and Kai Mendes; daughters Mary, Brooke and Lawana Collier; brothers Robert Sutherland and Jon Sutherland; sister Alicia Morris; and nine grandchildren.

The family will hold a private service.