Bradley Mulholland, who steered Matson Navigation Co. through boom years and recession, has died.

Mulholland, whose 38 years at Matson and parent Alexander & Baldwin Inc. included 10 years as Matson's president and chief executive officer, died in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday of complications from cancer.

He was 65.

"Brad Mulholland had a remarkable career with Matson," said James Andrasick, president and CEO of Matson.

"His achievements were impressive and far-reaching. Equally impressive, Brad had a warm, personable style that touched everyone he knew."

A self-described "surf bum," Mulholland joined Matson in 1965 as an assistant booking clerk at the company's former Wilmington, Calif., facility. He served in a number of management positions in Southern California before moving to the shipping company's San Francisco headquarters in 1979 to head its freight division.

In 1992, he was named Matson's chief executive officer. Mulholland retired in January 2004 as Matson's vice chairman and executive vice president of Alexander & Baldwin. He also served on A&B's board of directors.

During his tenure as Matson's CEO, he oversaw the construction of the MV R.J. Pfeiffer cargo ship and the acquisition of six vessels from shipping company APL.

Mulholland also served as an industry spokesman on key issues such as the Jones Act and the U.S. Merchant Marine. He was a lifetime member of the National Defense Transportation Association and served on the boards of the Pacific Maritime Association, the San Francisco Bay Area Council and the National Maritime Museum Association in San Francisco.

In 1996, Mulholland received the Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award from the United Seamen's Service.

"While Matson was always at the forefront of his career, he was equally passionate about the maritime industry itself," said Andrasick.

"He was always ready and eager to share his vast knowledge of our industry, having a natural gift as a teacher and mentor to many grateful colleagues."

Mulholland is survived by his wife Leslie, son Mark, daughter Sara Kurtzig, and granddaughter Jamie Kurtzig.

Services will be private.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at (415) 597-6314.

Reach Rick Daysog at rdaysog@honoluluadvertiser.com.