I attended
law school at St. Mary’s University College of Law, San Antonio, Texas. While there I flew the Delta Dagger, F-102
for the Texas Air National Guard. I received
the Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree at a time when the normal degree was the
Bachelor of Law (Ll. B.) I was admitted to practice law in Hawaii in 1965,
after passing the bar examination. I continue to be a licensed attorney and use
my legal skills, frequently pro bono, to benefit others. I have specialized in Aviation law and
associated with Melvin Belli on the Aloha and United Airline cases both of
which caused loss of life from air craft.
In addition to aviation tort, I was involved in corporate structuring
and certification for Part 135 carriers, assisted Japan Air Line (JAZ)
management in working proposals to US FAA administrators with respect to
frequency of landing and gate use in the United States, negotiating leases of
airport offices at Haneda, Sydney and San Francisco airports and international
contractual arrangements for pilot leasing, simulator utilization and other
areas involving knowledge of aviation operations and the applicable laws of the
nations involved.
I
retired as Chairman of the Board of Hawaii Aviation Contract Services. The company provided pilots to Japan Airline
and Jalways, JAL’s JCAB certificated subsidiary as well as Nippon Cargo Airways
(NCA) and All Nippon (ANA). I formed the
company in 1989 before retiring from Hawaiian. My partner and co-founder was
Alexander “Blackie” Bell, formerly of Hilo and a graduate of Kamehmeha. The
company currently employs many pilots.
In 1970 I was
elected to the State House of Representatives and served four terms. I served
one term in the State Senate commencing in 1978. I was elected GOP Party
chairman in 1980.
