Fern ‘saw possibilities
and made them happen’

His publishing and photography
ventures showcased Hawaii

STEWART FERN / 1913-2001

SEE ALSO: OBITUARIES

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By Kelliann Shimote
kshimote@starbulletin.com

Photographer, businessman, public relations director and publisher are just some of the titles associated with Stewart E. Fern, who died yesterday of pneumonia at his Kaneohe home. He was 88.

"He was a man with a passion for life," said friend Kitti Ford, retired annuity manager of Territorial Savings & Loan Association. "He had incredible judgment when it came to business decisions. I knew him for 17 years (and) was his lady friend for 13 years."

Jonathan Fern described his father as "a restless man of vision and action. He saw possibilities and made them happen."

Stewart Fern was born in Milford, Ohio, on July 17, 1913. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Kent State University, where he met his future wife, Natalie "Lee" Markwell.

After World War II he came to Hawaii as an Air Force public relations officer. He then became public relations director of the Hawaii Visitors Bureau, where he pitched the idea of tourism being a profitable market in Hawaii. His ideas ranged from an organized tourism program to crafting eye-catching Hawaii license plates.

Then in the 1950s he started a public relations firm, called Stewart Fern Organization.

He later published a "Hawaii Travel Handbook" with his wife. Then he began community papers with the Waikiki Beach Press, Pali Press, Leeward Independent, Suburban Press, Wahiawa Independent, Hawaii Service News, Kaneohe Citizen and a military paper.

Fern earned his first million when he sold the papers to Scripps League in 1963.

He retired two years later as publisher for Press Newspapers. He later went back to school to finish a master's degree in education.

His photography was also recognized as the "best travel news and photo coverage of an area outside the United States" by the Midwest Travel Writers Association in 1955.

He also served as president and vice president of Palama Center and opened the Royal Hawaiian Art Gallery, which is now called Gallery Lau Chun in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

He traveled to Gambia, West Africa, to promote tourism.

"It was both a rewarding and frustrating experience," said Jonathan about his father's trip to Africa.

He is survived by sons Dr. Tim Fern and Jonathan, along with five grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

A service will be private.