UH professor emeritus Donald Topping

Advertiser Staff

Donald M. Topping, a professor emeritus at the University of Hawai'i and co-founder of the Drug Policy Forum of Hawai'i, died Sunday at his Manoa home. He was 73.

Donald M. Topping was a co-founder of the alternative Drug Policy Forum of Hawai'i. Advertiser library photo • 1983

In 1962, Topping accepted a position at the English Language Institute at the University of Hawai'i.

Topping held various positions at the university. He served as director of the Pacific and Asian Linguistics Institute from 1969 to 1974, and director of the Social Science Research Institute from 1974 to 1996.

He also was a professor in the Linguistics and Sociology departments, as well as in the Pacific Islands Studies program. Topping's research areas included Micronesian languages, social change in the Pacific Islands, language and cognition, telecommunications policy, and drugs and society.

Topping wrote and edited the Chamorro-English dictionary and Chamorro Reference Grammar.

In 1993, Topping co-founded the Drug Policy Forum of Hawai'i. The nonprofit group was goal is to find alternative approaches to the war on drugs and to encourage effective drug policies that minimize economic, social and human costs.

The organization often took controversial stands on drug eradication efforts and Topping was in the center of the debate. He served as the group's president until April 2003, when he was awarded the organization's Ho'omaluhia Award for his 10 years of leadership.

In 1997, Topping retired from the university, but continued to work as a professor emeritus.

Topping is survived by his wife, Priscilla; sons, Miles, Lee Minh, and Jason Kesolei; daughters, Dee Johnson and Leslie Jensen; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Private services. Donations may be made to the Drug Policy Forum of Hawai'i at P.O. Box 61233, Honolulu, HI 96839.