Posted on: Thursday, August 2, 2001

Stewart Fern, area tourism pioneer, dead at 88

By Jean Chow
Advertiser Staff Writer

Stewart Fern, a prominent figure in the Hawai'i tourism industry, died yesterday in Kane'ohe at age 88.

Fern was born July 17, 1913, in Milford, Ohio, and came to Hawai'i as a public relations officer for the 7th Air Force during World War II.

In 1946, he was invited to return to Hawai'i to serve as the assistant director for the Hawai'i Visitors Bureau.

During his time there, Fern made a presentation to the "Big Five" Hawai'i firms on the promise of tourism as a business industry and promoting Hawai'i as a tourist destination.

After eight years with the HVB, Fern left to start his own public relations consulting firm, Stewart Fern Organization, continuing to promote travel and tourism.

In 1955, Fern started the Waikiki Beach Press, a free newspaper for tourists featuring events and other Hawai'i news.

Fern and his wife, Lee, who died in 1983, later started the Pali Press, a newspaper for the Windward community.

After retiring from the newspaper business in 1963, Fern returned to school to obtain a master's degrees in education at the University of Hawai'i.

Fern also was known for his photography of Hawai'i, with his pictures featured in the Paradise of the Pacific magazine (now Honolulu magazine) and Hawai'i postcards.

"He was the idea man," said son Jonathan Fern. "He was driven and doing the impossible all his life."

Fern is survived by sons Jonathan and Timothy, and 5 grandchildren.

Private services will be held.