Water manager taught stewardship
Clifford Sonny Jamile / 1937-2007
Oahu residents and businesses knew Clifford Sonny Jamile as a conservationist who urged them to save water one glassful at a time.
As chief engineer of the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Jamile persuaded restaurants not to serve water to customers unless requested, and householders to let their lawns survive with less watering.
Jamile spearheaded conservation efforts and fostered preservation of watersheds based on the Hawaiian ahupuaa system during his seven-year tenure as manager of the island water system.
He died March 10 in the Queen's Medical Center at age 69. He retired in 2004 after more than 40 years with the water department.
"He made us good stewards of the land," said Carol Costa, former director of the city Department of Customer Services. "He did beautiful public service announcements with practical advice, like wash your car on the grass. People could see he was knowledgeable."
Under Jamile's leadership, the Board of Water Supply launched the Water for Life conservation program to create awareness that water is not an infinite resource, a message for everyone from youths to the agricultural users.
"He was a very strong voice to preserve water resources, to be stewards, never use more than we need," Costa said.
She recalled Jamile talking at city Cabinet meetings under former Mayor Jeremy Harris. "He told us how long it took water to get from the clouds to our faucet -- a whole generation. He made it real and understandable. People would hang on his words when he told stories. He was especially concerned about protecting the watersheds around the island."
Alika Jamile said his brother "started at the basement level and worked himself up through the ranks to become chief engineer. He was an intelligent engineer and he got along with people. He was very calm. He shared his ideas with his fellow workers; he was a consensus builder."
Clifford Jamile was the oldest of seven and a Kamehameha Schools senior when their father died. "He took over the responsibility," said Alika. "We were a poor family. We lived in Papakolea. We had to work at various jobs to meet the necessities. Cliff would be the one to spearhead what we were to do. He was the planner."
He earned a bachelor's degree in engineering at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point, N.Y., and served two years at sea before returning to Hawaii.
As the father of eight children, he volunteered with Pacific Palisades Teen Club, Little League baseball, Pop Warner football, Cub Scouts and as Pearl City High School junior varsity and varsity baseball assistant coach.
He is survived by wife Melva; sons Parker "Sid," Kelii, Kala, Moku and Kamee; daughters Poochie Paulino, Tweedles Hanzawa and Kekaulike Jamile; brothers Alika, Clinton, Winston and Clem; sisters Tiare Miyasato and Jessica Santiago Lopez; 31 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Sunday at Borthwick Mortuary. Friends may call after 9 a.m. The family requests aloha attire and no flowers.