After spending two decades as a top consumer advocate on the island where he fought commercial boating in Hanalei and illegal grading at Pila‘a, Ray Chuan was honored yesterday at the Historic County Building.
The Kaua‘i County Council presented the Hanalei resident with a certificate recognizing his years of community service.
“For Dr. Chuan, ‘aloha ‘aina’ means speaking up and not being afraid of confrontation,” said councilmember Jay Furfaro, who co-authored the certificate with councilmember Tim Bynum. “His contributions to the Kaua‘i community have been broad-ranging and have changed our island for the better. He sets high standards for himself and similarly expects a high level of competence and accountability from government, which has always kept county officials on their toes.”
In the 1990s, Chuan contributed his expertise and energy to the protection of Hanalei Bay, founding and leading the Limu Coalition, a community organization whose mission was the preservation of the essential character of the North Shore, the certificate states.
Chuan was active in the transition of commercial boating to the Westside, Furfaro said. He brought the issue to the attention of then-Gov. Ben Cayetano who took action on the matter.
Under Chuan’s guidance, after illegal grading activities damaged the lands and waters of Pila‘a the coalition went on to pursue compliance with the federal Clean Water Act, achieving a historic court settlement that still supports an ongoing environmental education program on Kaua‘i, the certificate states.
Chuan was a founder of the Hanalei Watershed Hui, helping to nurture the science that will contribute to the long-term protection of the Hanalei watershed, the certificate states.
His community involvement also included collecting data on car counts at Hanalei Bridge, an inventory of hikers’ use of the Kalalau Trail and insights as a member of the Kaua‘i Real Property Tax Task Force.
“We extend our warmest appreciation to Dr. Chuan for his contributions to so many specific community causes,” the certificate states. “But beyond that, we honor him as a role model for citizen activism.
“We honor him for his courage in taking unpopular stands, despite the considerable consequences. We honor him for his unceasing diligence and for his advocacy of public policy based on facts and data,” the certificate states. “Finally, we honor him for his deep understanding of what it means to be part of a community and for having chosen to contribute so much of his life in service to our community.”
Chuan, who has been absent from the frontlines due to family health problems, said he was “more than overwhelmed with the honor you have bestowed upon me.”
“As I look at all of you, I see good days ahead for this county under your leadership,” he told the council.
Council Chair Bill “Kaipo” Asing said he and Chuan go back “a long, long way.”
“I have agreed and disagreed with Dr. Chuan on many issues,” Asing said. “Whether I agree or disagree is not the point. You have an opinion. I have an opinion. And it’s great that we can share this.”
Chuan was part of a group dubbed “The Nitpickers” for their outspoken criticism of county government.
“You’ve changed my mind a number of times,” Asing said. “It wasn’t simple. But I think it’s good. We need input from the public. We’re not always right. But I know all of us in our hearts try to do what is good for the community.”
Chuan said he learned a great deal from his public participation in the democratic process. He recognized that his approach may not have pleased everyone.
“I tend to do things in the most direct way that I could,” he said.
Councilman Derek Kawakami recognized Chuan’s wife Gene for her support.
“Behind every freedom fighter… behind every braveheart is a strong spouse to hold down the homefront,” Kawakami said, adding that Chuan “has been a great inspiration to me.”
Kapa‘a resident Glenn Mickens, a nitpicker himself, called Chuan his mentor.
“He is the No. 1 nitpicker on the island… and that is a word of endearment,” Mickens said. “Anything he had to say was for the benefit of this island.”
Born and raised in China, Chuan came to America at age 17 to attend Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., four months before the Pearl Harbor attack. World War II cut him off from his parents and he supported himself through college before volunteering for the U.S. Marine Corp as a Chinese language specialist, according to the certificate.
Chuan eventually left the Marines to return to Caltech, where he obtained his doctorate in physics and math and at which time he became a U.S. citizen.
Chuan fell in love with the Garden Isle in 1968, eventually making the permanent transition in 1988 when he and his wife Gene built their home in Hanalei where they have lived for 20 years, the certificate says.
His scientific endeavors, which included teaching and researching aerosol science and plasma physics at the University of Southern California, have taken a back seat to his real interest — discussing and defending the delicate cultural and environmental balance found on Kaua‘i, the certificate states.
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com
