Paul Miwa, first UH-Hilo chancellor, dead at 82
By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer
Paul Maruo Miwa, the first chancellor of the University of Hawai'i-Hilo, died March 25 at the Hilo Medical Center. He was 82.
Advertiser library photo
Miwa, the son of a Honolulu farmer, graduated from Mid-Pacific Institute in 1939 and worked for his father until he enlisted in the Army in 1943. He saw service in India, Burma and China before going to Japan with occupying U.S. forces in 1945.
Paul Miwa was awarded the Bronze Star for exemplary service during ground combat in Burma.
He was awarded the Bronze Star for exemplary service during ground combat in Burma, and remained with the civil intelligence section of the Far East command after the war.
He attended Doshisha University in Kyoto, and earned bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees from Syracuse University, where he was a professor of Afro American affairs, director of the Peace Corps Training Center and consultant to the New York State Education Department. He served as deputy director of research and special assistant to the mayor of Syracuse from 1957 to 1963.
In 1967, Miwa was named assistant vice president for academic affairs of the State University of New York at Albany, but returned to Hawai'i in 1970 to become chancellor of the UH-Hilo campus.
"Paul Miwa was also a 'local boy' who, no matter how good he had it made" on the Mainland "felt the tug of these incomparable islands," UH President Harlan Cleveland said after recruiting Miwa.
For many years he was UH's point man at the Legislature.
Miwa eventually was named acting chancellor at West O'ahu College, and served as chancellor for that and the UH-Hilo campus simultaneously in the 1980s.
He joined the cabinet of Big Island Mayor Bernard Akana in 1988 as deputy director of research and development, but resigned a year later for health reasons after suffering a heart attack.
He was president of the Hawai'i Division of the American Cancer Society, a member of the MIS-CBI Campaign; Elks Hilo Lodge #759; 2-10 Golf Club; and the Piihonua Houselots Kumiai and Community Association.
Miwa is survived by his wife, Shinae; son, Gordon of Vermont; daughter, Amy; sister Doris Toyoshiba-Miwa; a granddaughter, nephews, grand nephews and grand nieces.
Private services have been held.
Correction: Ralph M. Miwa was chancellor of West O'ahu College and the University of Hawai'i-Hilo in the 1980s. An previous version of this obituary gave other information.
