HAWAI'I KAI — Businessman and community advocate Jaap Suyderhoud, a familiar sight in Hawai'i Kai with his ever-present sailor cap set jauntily on his head, died July 26. He was 79.

Suyderhoud battled myelodysplastic syndrome, a blood disorder, for the past six years.

Suyderhoud owned Suyderhoud Water Ski Center in Koko Marina, opening his doors in the 1970s when the center was establishing itself as a water sports center.

He was among the founding members of the Hawai'i Kai Marina and served as marina association president the past three years. He helped to successfully lobby the state to dredge the marina's clogged channel mouth in 2003. He also worked to increase participation in the annual Hawai'i Kai Boat Parade.

"He was such a fearless advocate for the things he felt strongly about," said his oldest son Jack Suyderhoud, a business economics professor at the University of Hawai'i. "Everything from his business to his family to his community, the marina, he was never afraid to be the leader and get things started."

"He was my mentor, my teacher," said Beverly Liddle, Hawai'i Kai Marina manager. "I think there will be a void left by his passing. He will be hard to replace."

Born in Djember, Indonesia, Suyderhoud was a member of the Dutch Resistance and fought in World War II in Indonesia. He moved to Holland in 1950, and eight years later came to the United States with his wife, three sons, $150 in his pocket and the desire to seek a better life, Jack Suyderhoud said. The family settled in Marin County, Calif., before moving to Hawai'i in 1976.

Suyderhoud had his detractors, who objected to his style of sometimes making decisions without consulting the community. "He did things in a style that wasn't in keeping with the democratic style, but no one could ever say he didn't have the best intentions for the community in mind," said state Sen. Sam Slom, R-8th (Kahala, Hawai'i Kai).

Suyderhoud was an avid painter and painted portraits of each of his nine grandchildren. He also enjoyed golf and the outdoors, Jack Suyderhoud said.

Services will be at 5 p.m. Sunday at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 613, Annapolis, MD 21404-0513.