GEORGIA MILLER / 1912-2008
Advocate stood for residents of Waikiki
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While government agencies and developers planned for Waikiki as a tourist mecca, Georgia Miller never let them forget it is also a neighborhood for thousands of residents.
As a member of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board for more than 25 years and president of the Waikiki Residents Association, Miller represented the residents' concerns at numerous public hearings of the City Council and state legislative committees.
She was honored as an outstanding volunteer with the Governor's Kilohana Award in 1996.
Miller, 95, died Thursday in Kuakini Medical Center of injuries from a recent fall.
"It wasn't just the larger issues of zoning and development; she was informed about every little thing to do with life in Waikiki," said Marilyn Bornhorst, former City Council chairwoman. "At one time there was a vacant lot on Kuhio Avenue that was left trashed. She saw to it that the city took it over, planted grass and made a minipark.
"She was quite articulate and rational about everything," Bornhorst said. "She was persistent but she was always ladylike. She knew what she was talking about."
A November 1999 City Council resolution recognized Miller as a participant in discussions on building the Hawaii Convention Center and creating a Waikiki Special Design District. An accomplishment she was proud of was preservation of the historic Winstedt House at the edge of Kapiolani Park; it is now a community meeting place called Paki Hale.
Miller's career as a community activist was launched in 1978 with her election to the Hawaii Constitutional Convention. She was also a member of the Waikiki Improvement Association and the Waikiki Business and Professional Women.
She retired in 1974 after 27 years as a typing teacher at Punahou School. She is survived by nine nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday at Central Union Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the church's senior citizen activities.