A Denver, Colo., television station is reporting that the man found dead yesterday under a tractor on a Big Island farm is the longtime manager of Denver Water.

9News.com says Hamlet "Chips" Barry, 66, had planned to retire this summer and was growing macadamia nuts on a small farm in Honokaa.

The Associated Press reported that Barry also produced honey and coffee on his 8-acre farm. AP said Barry planned to spend more time in the Islands after he retired, but still intended to make Denver his home.

Denver Water released a statement today saying Barry died in an accident on his farm.

9News.com said Barry had served as head of Denver Water for 19 years. He previously was executive director of Colorado's Department for Natural Resources under former Gov. Roy Romer.

A Hawaii County news release said firefighters responded to a call on Paauilo Mauka Road at 7:45 p.m. and found a man dead under an overturned tractor.

After using airbags to extricate the man's body, firefighters turned the scene over to police, who are conducting an investigation.

Denver Water's statement said that during Barry's tenure, the utility "implemented a conservation program that is nationally and internationally recognized as a model of success, built a recycled water distribution system, invested millions of dollars in improvements at its treatment facilities, monitored recovery from several devastating wildfires ... and led the work to recover from one of the worst droughts in the city's history."

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On the Net:

9News.com: http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=138101&catid=339