John Farias, Jr., longtime leader in business, government, agriculture, education and community service, passed away peacefully at home on November 20, 2021, at the age of 86. He leaves behind a legacy of public service and dedication to the betterment of the State of Hawaii.John was born to Jessie and John Farias Sr. on April 19, 1935, in Hilo Hawaii. He and his brother Gilbert and sisters Eleanor, Dorothy, Hazel and Patricia, were raised in humble surroundings in Papaikou and Hilo.
At Hilo High School, John excelled in music, winning a statewide contest for baritone horn performance. Upon graduating in 1954, he was offered a music scholarship to a mainland college. Instead, John chose to stay in Hawaii and joined the United States Army Band where he enjoyed the best of both worlds – serving his country and playing music.
John then attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa, graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor in Business Administration in Marketing. As a young entrepreneur, John tried his hand at various business ventures. However, in 1966, government and public service called and John returned to Hilo to serve as Director of the Department of Research and Development under Mayor Shunichi Kimura. As Director of R&D, John became an advocate for innovative and environmentally conscious alternative energy projects like Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC).
In 1968, during his tenure with the Kimura administration, John was appointed by Governor John Burns to serve on the University of Hawaii Board of Regents. He later became chairman of the board and served until 1972. In large part because of his humble beginnings, John knew the importance of education and was committed to providing educational opportunities for Hawaii's youth. To this end John was instrumental in transforming the University of Hawaii at Hilo from a 2-year to a 4-year university. His vision and tireless efforts, along with those of union leaders George Martin, Eddie DeMello and others, lay the groundwork for what UH Hilo is today, a multi-disciplinary higher education institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees to a diverse student body.
In 1972, John was elected to the Hawaii County Council. He served until 1974, when Governor George Ariyoshi asked him to head the State Department of Agriculture. As Director of Agriculture, John passionately supported agricultural interests State-wide, and promoted the concept of diversified agriculture to meet the needs of the changing agricultural landscape.
Upon retiring from government service, John continued to champion Hawaii's agriculture, aquaculture and energy-related industries as engines of economic opportunities for Hawaii. He believed that innovative and eco-friendly businesses would provide jobs and revenue to Hawaii. In the late 1980's, John brought his government experience to bear and helped lay the regulatory groundwork to bring Atlantis Submarines to Hawaii. Today, Atlantis operates on three islands, and over the years has provided an exciting educational experience to thousands of Hawaii's schoolchildren while maintaining its status as one of Hawaii's premiere tourist activities.
John joined The Borthwick Group in 1990, becoming its CEO and CFO. John was responsible for revitalizing the company, and stayed on as president after its purchase by Service Corporation International in 1992.
John's commitment to public service continued through his lifetime as he served with distinction on numerous boards, including St. Francis Healthcare System, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, the University of Hawaii Foundation, Center for Asia-Pacific Exchange, the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, the Augustine Foundation and many others.
John loved Hawaii and devoted his life to finding ways to contribute to Hawaii's future. He will be long remembered for his creative and visionary leadership, and his unshakable positivity, energy, integrity, and perseverance. John lived his life with gratitude, and cherished friends and family. He appreciated nature, a nice glass of wine, a good joke, classical music and jazz and was always, through all his years, a student of life.
John is survived by his wife Diane, his daughter Cynthia Farias, stepson Boyd Akase (Lisa), sister Patricia Grossman, nieces Shirley Martin Breon, Loretta Matsumoto (Leslie), Roselani Barker, Susan Baker, Donna Montibon (Russel), Jessie Farias (Gerald Kajiwara), Debbie Borges, nephews Gregory Farias (Diana), Thomas Martin (Kris), John McGibboney (Rebecca), Gil Farias (Yoko), Alvin Borges, Nathan McGibboney (Kris) and Alan Borges (Lisa). He is predeceased by his step-granddaughter Sydney Akase, brother Gilbert Farias, sisters Eleanor Subica, Dorothy Martin and Hazel McGibboney, and nephews Karl McGibboney, Leslie Moniz and Arnold Borges, and his beloved bulldog Princess.
John's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022, Visitation at 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Service at 12:00 p.m. at Borthwick Mortuary, Vineyard Chapel, 1330 Maunakea Street, Honolulu, Hawaii. We ask that everyone please wear your masks.
Donations in John's memory may be made to the Augustine Educational Foundation (AugustineFoundation.org/donate/); or St. Francis Healthcare Foundation of Hawaii (StFrancisHawaii.org/s/donate).
