Warren Selwyn Robinson, of Makaweli, 82, died Feb. 3, 2011, at Kaua‘i Veteran’s Memorial Hospital. He was born in Lihu‘e on Oct. 21, 1928. Robinson was known for working closely with his employees and associates, exhibiting both tough-mindedness and compassion,
Warren Selwyn Robinson, of Makaweli, 82, died Feb. 3, 2011, at Kaua‘i Veteran’s Memorial Hospital. He was born in Lihu‘e on Oct. 21, 1928.
Robinson was known for working closely with his employees and associates, exhibiting both tough-mindedness and compassion, according to his family.
“Warren never asked anyone to do anything without knowing what it took,” said a friend of the family.
In addition, family and friends say he was known for his keen sense of nature and animals carrying a life-long interest in fishing, hunting and animal tracking, particularly in Kaua‘i’s interior sections.
“One of his favorite things to do was to go up to the cabin at Kaholuamanu and spend time around the mountains,” said a family member.
The former chairman of the board for Gay & Robinson Inc. and Robinson Family Partners started his life-long career on Kaua‘i at a very early age.
Robinson first worked for Makaweli Ranch at age 7, assisting with ranch chores. He became a ranch cowboy by the time he was 14.
After graduating from the University of California Berkeley with a degree in business followed by two years of service in the U.S. Army, he returned to Kaua‘i, eventually taking on the job of assistant ranch manager, then ranch manager for Makaweli Ranch. He became known for his expertise in horse training and cattle work.
In the 1980s Warren became the president and plantation manager for Gay & Robinson Inc.
Though small in acreage, the plantation turned into one of the highest producing sugar plantations in Hawai‘i under Robinson’s management.
Warren then became chairman of the board for Gay & Robinson Inc. and chairman of Robinson Family Partners until his death. He was also a member of the Olokele Sugar Company board of directors, a long-time member of the Hawai‘i Sugar Planters’ Association and president of the Kaua‘i Planters’ Association.
Robinson was preceded in death by his parents, Selwyn Aubrey Robinson and Ethel N. Robinson of Makaweli.
He is survived by his wife, Arlene M. Robinson of Makaweli; daughter, Lori Elizabeth Robinson of Kailua and her children, Nicole Robinson of Kailua and Collin Robinson Ague of Makaweli; sons, Alan Warren Robinson of Makaweli and Donald Mark Robinson of San Francisco; and sister, Lois Robinson Somers of Honolulu.
There will be a private family service, as requested by Warren Robinson.
