Isle author lived life of adventure

Scott Stone / 1932-2006

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AUTHOR Scott Stone wrote 29 books, starting with a Vietnam War novel and winding up with a history of the Royal Hawaiian Band, before succumbing to cancer last week. He was 73.

The Tennessee native moved to Hawaii in 1958 and worked as a copy editor, then as a foreign correspondent in Asia, and later as a speech writer for Hawaii politicians, according to his son, Erik. Stone also had a long military career, starting with the Korean War, where he took part in clandestine operations.

"His life was like fiction," said former MidWeek columnist Eddie Sherman. "He was a real adventurer, behind-the-scenes operator, brilliant. His military records indicate all that."

Stone published his first book, "The Coasts of War," in 1966 after serving in Vietnam. It was considered the first Vietnam War novel, his son said. In 1970, Stone won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for his suspense novel "The Dragon's Eye."

His recent works included "From a Joyful Heart," published in 2001, a prize-winning biography of aviation pioneer-songwriter Alex Anderson, and "The Royal Hawaiian Band" in 2004.

"The guy was definitely big time, meaning I think he'd have been a better-known author if he was promoted properly," Sherman said. "He sure had the tools and talent to be as big as any of the novelists today."

Stone was born in Duck Town, Tenn., and graduated from East Tennessee State University, after taking time off to enlist in the military. After Korea, he served on sailing junks in Vietnam with the Navy and remained on extended active duty until he retired as a Navy commander in 1992.

"He was a very quiet sort of man, not the flashy kind, a very good writer, a very good reporter," said Sanford Zalburg, who was an editor at the Honolulu Advertiser when Stone worked there, and remained friends with him.

"He was suffering from cancer for years, and fought it off and fought it off," Zalburg said. "He was a gallant fellow. The ordinary person would have given up in defeat."

Stone, who died Jan. 10, is survived by his wife, Walelu Stone, son Erik Stone, daughter Alison Beddow, two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A service will be held at the East Hawaii Veterans Cemetery in Hilo, but the date has not been set.