James "Jimmy" Kaukaohu Trask, a Realtor who developed many commercial projects, including the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and Kawaiaha'o Plaza, died Monday in Kailua, Kona. He was 72.

Trask was born on Aug. 9, 1934, in Honolulu and was a member of the well-known Trask family. His father was James Sr., at one time a territorial legislator, and his mother was Helen Burns Trask, sister of the late Gov. John Burns.

Other prominent family members include his grandfather, Democratic Party leader David Trask Sr., and his cousins Mililani and Haunani Trask.

Jimmy Trask established himself as a key player in commercial property development, beginning in the 1960s. He developed shopping centers, retail complexes and office buildings, as well as residential projects.

As a director with Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, he was involved in development of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center in Waikiki and the Kawaiaha'o Plaza in Kaka'ako.

Trask also had a long career as a teacher and was a senior instructor for the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) Division of the National Realty Board.

Longtime friend and Realtor Albert Wong said Trask was always willing to help others. Wong said Trask would often do pro bono work to advance the careers of Realtors.

"I could call him about anything. He was a good person," Wong said.

The CCIM Hawai'i chapter recently created the James K. Trask/J. Allen Johnson Endowment scholarship in honor of the two founding members of the chapter. Johnson died last year.

"We were fortunate in that these two people taught us a lot of things," Wong said. "Their expertise was as real estate brokers, and an arm of it was to teach, and we were the greatest beneficiary of it."

In addition to his real estate work, Trask served on several community boards, including as president of the Family Support Services of West Hawai'i.

Although his profession kept him busy, Trask always found time to spend with his family, said his wife, Joyce.

"He was a wonderful husband and we'll miss him," she said. "He did everything that he could for us and his children."

In addition to his wife, Trask is survived by children Jill Higa, Joy Van Bergen, Ka'ili O'Connell, and Kimo; sisters Mahina Maxey, Moana Guerrero, Maile Rierson and Mikihala Sampaio; and 11 grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Kailua, Kona; Mass at 11 a.m.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.