Each year, the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust honors a person or people who demonstrated a lifelong commitment to preserving and protecting the land, people and Hawaiian way of life.
Each year, the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust honors a person or people who demonstrated a lifelong commitment to preserving and protecting the land, people and Hawaiian way of life.
This year, the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust presented the Kahu o Ka ‘Aina award to Edmund C. Olson of Hilo.
Olson, 86, has made an enduring commitment to protecting Hawaii’s irreplaceable lands in a number of ways, the trust said. A businessman at heart, Olson began his career as a pioneer in the construction business.
He came to Hawaii in 1959 and immediately fell in love with the islands and pursued a number of business opportunities in construction and storage.
However, his business philosophy soon began to change as he witnessed former plantation workers struggling, cultural resources diminishing and precious agricultural or forested lands threatened by development. Olson made a decision then to use the skills and wealth he possessed to create positive change.
A member of the Hawaii Advisory Council of the Trust for Public Land, Olson currently works to develop subsidiaries that benefit the future of Hawaii through sustainable agriculture, conservation of natural resources, clean energy and the building of community secure in heritage.
To learn more about Olson and the Edmund Olson Trust, visit http://olsontrust.com.