MICHAEL HENRY LYONS II / 1936-2004
Baldwin scion
had personable gift
WAILUKU >> Michael Henry Lyons II, a vice president for Bank of Hawaii on Maui, helped many nonprofit groups on the Valley Isle.
He was instrumental in finding a home and construction financing for Maui Economic Opportunity Inc., an organization that assists hundreds of the poor, handicapped and elderly.
"If it wasn't for Mike Lyons, we'd still be homeless," said Gladys Baisa, the group's executive director.
Lyons, 67, who retired from the bank four years ago after working for it for 41 years, died Friday at his home after suffering from renal cancer.
Born on May 17, 1936, Lyons was a fifth-generation descendant of the Baldwin missionary family and a great grandson of Henry P. Baldwin, a founder of Alexander & Baldwin Inc.
Lyons wasn't spared from the rigors of hard work. During summers home from college, he was employed stacking cases at Maui Pineapple Co., earning $1.25 an hour.
Friends recall how as a bank executive, Lyons often wore a palaka shirt, an "I love Maui" button, and a smile.
Maui Chamber of Commerce President Lynne Woods said Lyons had the unique capacity to make a person feel "the first in line" to receive his attention and served as a mentor to her and many other people.
"We're going to miss him terribly," she said. "He worked with organizations that helped large groups of people. He was quiet in what he did."
Lyons was a founder of the Maui Economic Development Board, the nonprofit group that was instrumental in the establishment of the Maui Research & Technology Park in Kihei, the home of start-up technology firms and an Air Force supercomputer.
He also served as a volunteer board member for groups, including the Maui County Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Maui United Way, Kahului Rotary Club, J. Walter Cameron Center, Provost's Advisory Council at Maui Community College, Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, and Lahaina Restoration Foundation.
Lyons is survived by his wife Mette, daughter Kristina, sons Anders and Henrik, brother Samuel, sister Shaun, and two granddaughters.
Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at the family residence in the Kapalaea area at 495 Kealaloa Ave. in Makawao.
Memorial donations may be made to the Maui County Council of the Boy Scouts, the Nature Conservancy Maui Reserve, and the Maui Arts and Cultural Center.
