April 19, 1937 March 9, 2017 James Stanton Seishiro Burns, 79, died at Queen's Medical Center, on March 9, 2017, after complications from pneumonia. Burns was born in Honolulu in 1937, the youngest child of Beatrice M. Burns and John A. Burns, Hawaii's first elected Democratic governor. His middle name was in gratitude to Henry Seishiro Okazaki, a Japanese masseur whose assistance enabled the paralyzed Mrs. Burns to give birth to her healthy son. Burns graduated from Saint Louis College (now Saint Louis School) in 1955 and earned his B.S. degree from Benedictine University and his law degree from Villanova Law School. Burns worked summers as a park ranger at Glacier National Park, Montana. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964, he was in the Hawaii Army National Guard from 1965 to 1977, rising to the rank of Captain, while also in private practice as an attorney. Burns served 31 years on the bench, starting as a per diem District Court judge in 1976. He was a member of the Circuit Court when he was named Associate Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals in 1980. He served as Chief Judge of that court from 1982 to 2007. Burns was also president of both the American Judicature Society and the James S. Burns Aloha Chapter, American Inns of Court IV. Burns is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Emme Tomimbang Burns; daughter, Meredith A. Burns (Henry P. Ting); granddaughter, Elizabeth Ting; son, Brendan P. Burns (Pat); brother John A. Burns, Jr.; and Dakota and Montana (pet dogs). Jim predeceased his parents and sister Sheenagh Burns. He was previously married to the late Lynette Hofmeister, mother of his two children. April 18 TUESDAY Noon Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of our Lady of Peace,1184 Bishop St. Offering by St. Louis Class of '55. 4:00pm Jim Burns' Hawaiian Night at Waialae Country Club 4:00-6:00pm Visitation, 6 p.m.9:00 Celebration of Life- Musical Tributes Parking at Waialae Country Club is limited, shuttle services will be provided from 3:30 p.m. for guests parking at Hunakai Park or on the third floor of the Kahala Mall parking garage next to Long's; and from 4 p.m. at the Kahala Elementary School. Carpools and taxi services are encouraged. APRIL 19 WEDNESDAY on Jim Burns' 80th birthday, a memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. followed by interment at the Plaza Columbarium. Condolences may be mailed to Emme Tomimbang Burns,111 Hekili Street, Suite A #193, Kailua, HI 96734.
April 19, 1937 March 9, 2017 James Stanton Seishiro Burns, 79, died at Queen's Medical Center, on March 9, 2017, after complications from pneumonia. Burns was born in Honolulu in 1937, the youngest child of Beatrice M. Burns and John A. Burns, Hawaii's first elected Democratic governor. His middle name was in gratitude to Henry Seishiro Okazaki, a Japanese masseur whose assistance enabled the paralyzed Mrs. Burns to give birth to her healthy son. Burns graduated from Saint Louis College (now Saint Louis School) in 1955 and earned his B.S. degree from Benedictine University and his law degree from Villanova Law School. Burns worked summers as a park ranger at Glacier National Park, Montana. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964, he was in the Hawaii Army National Guard from 1965 to 1977, rising to the rank of Captain, while also in private practice as an attorney. Burns served 31 years on the bench, starting as a per diem District Court judge in 1976. He was a member of the Circuit Court when he was named Associate Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals in 1980. He served as Chief Judge of that court from 1982 to 2007. Burns was also president of both the American Judicature Society and the James S. Burns Aloha Chapter, American Inns of Court IV. Burns is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Emme Tomimbang Burns; daughter, Meredith A. Burns (Henry P. Ting); granddaughter, Elizabeth Ting; son, Brendan P. Burns (Pat); brother John A. Burns, Jr.; and Dakota and Montana (pet dogs). Jim predeceased his parents and sister Sheenagh Burns. He was previously married to the late Lynette Hofmeister, mother of his two children. April 18 TUESDAY Noon Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of our Lady of Peace,1184 Bishop St. Offering by St. Louis Class of '55. 4:00pm Jim Burns' Hawaiian Night at Waialae Country Club 4:00-6:00pm Visitation, 6 p.m.9:00 Celebration of Life- Musical Tributes Parking at Waialae Country Club is limited, shuttle services will be provided from 3:30 p.m. for guests parking at Hunakai Park or on the third floor of the Kahala Mall parking garage next to Long's; and from 4 p.m. at the Kahala Elementary School. Carpools and taxi services are encouraged. APRIL 19 WEDNESDAY on Jim Burns' 80th birthday, a memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. followed by interment at the Plaza Columbarium. Condolences may be mailed to Emme Tomimbang Burns,111 Hekili Street, Suite A #193, Kailua, HI 96734.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
