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Ralph D. Cornuelle, Hawaii real estate developer, consultant and market analyst, died Aug. 17 in Del Mar, Calif. Real estate developer
Ralph Cornuelle, 69OBITUARIES
By Leila Fujimori
Star-BulletinCornuelle, who was 69, managed many projects, including Waikiki Lanais, 2121 Ala Wai, Pacific Monarch, Nuuanu Brookside, The Cliffs at Princeville, Honolulu Tower and Hale Kaheka.
The former Hawaii resident published "Monitor: Honolulu Real Estate Activity Report" for 10 years.
"He was one of the first of the modern developers in Hawaii," said Stephany Sofos, real estate consultant and president of SL Sofos & Co.
He was born in Hartford City, Ind., and grew up in Los Angeles. After graduating from Occidental College in 1952, he was commissioned into the U.S. Naval Reserve and served in the Pacific Fleet for four years. In 1958, he received his master's in business from Stanford University and worked in Indianapolis.
Cornuelle moved to Honolulu in 1971, where he managed the development of condominium apartments for Oceanic Properties, a land development subsidiary of Castle and Cook. The developments included Kaimala Marina, The Esplanade, Kaimana Lanais, the Pearl and Pearl 2.
In 1986, he took a year off from the business world to tour Europe with his wife, Carole. He returned to Honolulu, did a few more projects and retired at the age of 60.
He and Carole shared an interest in Japanese woodblock prints, Japanese pottery and textiles.
Cornuelle had a long battle with colon cancer. Last month, his family from around the country gathered to say goodbye.
"He was a pretty nice guy" who, like his brothers, had "a marvelous sense of humor," said sister-in-law Jean Cornuelle of Honolulu, who made the trip to California with her children.
"We will miss him," she said.
Ralph Cornuelle is survived by Carole Simpson Cornuelle, his wife of 29 years; sons Scott, Christopher, and William; daughter Lisa Peterson; two grandchildren and brother Richard.
His ashes will be placed in the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.