Big Isle Council member
cared about Kona history

KEALAKEKUA, Hawaii » Kona community leader Sherwood Greenwell, a former member of the Hawaii County Council, died Tuesday, family members said. He was 85.

Greenwell was one of the nine original members of the County Council elected in 1968. He also served on the council's predecessor, the Board of Supervisors, from 1954-55 and 1959-67.

Greenwell was manager of Kealakekua Ranch from 1951 to 1989. He also developed the Kealakekua Ranch Center and founded the Choice Mart supermarket. He also was one of the investors who began radio station KEKO, now known as KKON.

Greenwell's interest in the history of Kona led him to found the Kona Historical Society, and he was the organization's only president for the last three decades. County Councilman Curtis Tyler, a longtime family friend, said the historical group is Greenwell's "great legacy."

Greenwell also was a philanthropist and was active in the Republican Party. Fellow rancher Billy Paris, a lifelong friend, said Greenwell was "a terrific community leader, a great contributor to Kona."

He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by son Nicholas, daughters Meg Childs and Anna B.G. Revita, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Christ Church Episcopal, Kealakekua. Call after 9 a.m. No flowers. Donations suggested to Kona Historical Society or the Christ Church Building Fund.