Retired state Highways Administrator Tetsuo Harano, for whom state officials named the H-3 freeway tunnels, died Monday. He was 95.

The state Department of Transportation veteran spent 52 years in the department before retiring in 1994, shortly after the tunnels were named in his honor to recognize his tremendous efforts in getting the freeway built. Construction was completed despite years of setbacks and a price tag that made it the most expensive public works project in the state.

Harano temporarily lost the honor of having the tunnels bear his name when in March 2001 former Gov. Ben Cayetano issued an executive memorandum to rename them after former Gov. John Burns. The change became official a year later, and Harano’s name was relegated to the H-3 control center instead.

It was a move to which Harano said he had never agreed when he was asked about it for a Honolulu Star-Bulletin Kokua Line column in April 2002.

After reading the column, resident Yoshie Tanabe initiated a petition drive to return Harano’s name to the tunnels — an effort that led to more than a dozen others that were eventually successful. Harano’s name was eventually put back on the tunnels in 2003 under Gov. Linda Lingle.

Signage returned to its original location between the tunnels, barely visible to passing motorists. But that would change, again because of Tanabe, who incessantly wrote and called the state to demand Harano’s name be displayed above the tunnel entrances where Burns’ name had been prominently placed.

The state acquiesced in 2006, moving signage with Harano’s name above the entrances in full view of motorists.

Although he greatly appreciated the community support, he himself didn’t pursue the restoration of his name on the tunnels.

When the controversy on the change arose, Harano’s son Michael said he wanted to write letters to the state, but his father told him not to. “He really didn’t want to seem like that’s what he coveted,” said Michael Harano, principal at Washington Middle School.

He was very unassuming, he added.

Michael Harano described his father as quiet, humble and a devoted family man.

A resident of Kaimuki, the elder Harano enjoyed supporting his grandchildren in their athletic activities, driving them to practices and watching their games. “He was ‘grandpa’ in all the best meaning of that word,” his son said.

Harano’s grandson Andrew, 26, said family was his priority. “He was always taking care of everyone, making sure we were all provided for.”

His family remembers Harano as part of the “Greatest Generation” who served the community and didn’t boast. “That’s what I’ll remember. That’s what I’ll try to emulate,” he said.

Harano is also survived by daughter Jeanne Harano-Hernandez of Hilo, six grandchildren and three-great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending.