Donations in memory or honor of Mark’s contributions to Citizens Climate Lobby as a founder of CCL Maui can be made to Citizens Climate Education

Remembering Mark White, CCL Maui leader and friend of the environment

Mark White, life long advocate for the environment passed away in May. He helped start the Maui chapter of CCL and brought excellent people to CCL Maui and mentored them on how to lobby for a livable world.

When White started working for The Nature Conservancy (TNC) of Hawai’i in 1989, he could not have imagined his lasting impact on conservation. As TNC’s Maui director, White was responsible for protecting the 5,000-acre Waikamoi Preserve near Haleakala National Park. He had a deep love for the native Hawaiian rainforest and the thousands of species found nowhere else in the world.

To preserve more of the island, he helped form a network of landowners dedicated to conservation. From its start in 1991, The East Maui Watershed Partnership drastically expanded protected acreage on the island. Under his guidance, the partnership model was successfully replicated across the Hawaiian islands. He also consulted on similar projects in Ecuador and Indonesia.

White also recognized the growing problem of newly introduced invasive species to Hawai’i’s fragile ecosystems. He helped start The Maui Invasive Species Committee to take on the unique challenge of eradicating plant and animal pests. The organizational model was also replicated across Hawai’i.

Doug about his good friend Mark

May 8th

Aloha Folks,
Not sure how many of you all knew Mark White - he passed on Saturday afternoon after a year-long struggle with cancer.

Mark White was a long time Nature Conservancy staffer, long time environmentalist, founder of the Maui CCL chapter,  friend, mentor, kiter, biker, foiler and neighbor. He was an all around likeable and good guy who personified the CCL philosophy of respect and commitment to long term change.  

Mark was a 40 year resident of Maui beloved by many.  

Molly Whiteley about Mark and Citizens Climate Lobby Maui

Mark was such a networker.  He brought in so many wonderful folks to CCL.  I credit Mark with helping me get to know Bobbie! He set up an interview on the local public radio station and Bobbie and her husband, Bill, interviewed us about CCL and Carbon Fee and Dividend. It was really a fun and rewarding experience and a great start to our Maui CCL efforts. In fact, it was pretty much fun to do anything with Mark. He joined us in DC to lobby in November, and brought such a warm, gentle, kind, thoughtful, but persistent and well-informed spirit to our meetings. It was pure joy to see him in action.

How Mark brought Doug to Citizens Climate Lobby Maui and mentored Doug’s advocacy work

One sunny afternoon I ambled over to Mark's House.  Mark lives across the circle from us and we'd been on the home owners association together.  I'd been researching online ways of getting involved in the climate fight.  I'd reached out to 350.org and was looking all over for how to get involved..  I knew that Mark had been with the Nature Conservancy but I knew little more about his environmental side.  By this time the Maui Chapter CCL was up and running and maybe at it's most active time ever. Mark said, yes he had an idea for me and gently introduced me to CCL and all the CCLers over time.  Mark and I did county council lobbying and other advocacy together.  Mark was the epitome of the CCL method - patient, well informed, respectful (with a little Mark White humor thrown in) and kind hearted.   Mark was pono - he did things the right way, with fairness and respect. We went into one council person's office and were told by the staffer - "We don't trust the government" and words to that effect.  We were in the county office building and here's a guy working for a council member telling us he didn't trust himself?   Afterwards I'm sure we had a little chuckle, but that's a perfect time to have Mark White at you side - he was calm, he knew that we weren't there to convince the staffer and he was prepared.  Over and over I would ask Mark - what do I do?  Strategically, tactically and more often than not - Mark how do I (we) talk to this person who does not share our point of view.  Mark would say - love,  Doug - speak from a place of love and respect.    Mark was a friend, mentor, kiter, biker, foiler and so many other things that I didn't do with him.  He was always open ear to hear my latest story.  Every time I was stuck on a CCL issue or needed encouragement and even when I didn't Mark was optimistic.  Doug - do you know so-and-so, maybe you should try giving them a call - and then I would.  Mark and I celebrated every single little win whether it was a phone call, an endorsement, a meeting, a resolution or a jibe or another windy day.  He was an all around generous, likeable and good guy who personified the CCL philosophy of respect and commitment to long term change. 

From Mark’s Obituary - Mark Lee White

Mark Lee White, a loving father and friend who dedicated his life to conservation efforts spanning the Hawaiian islands and beyond.

Formerly director of The Nature Conservancy on Maui, White was a passionate steward of the land and an avid outdoorsman. He spent most days outside, whether kitesurfing, hiking in the rainforest, or biking the winding roads of upcountry Maui. He shared his love of music, long hikes, and sense of adventure with his family and daughter, Adia. Together they took many backpacking trips, including in California’s Point Reyes National Seashore and Washington’s Olympic National Forest.

When White started working for The Nature Conservancy (TNC) of Hawai’i in 1989, he could not have imagined his lasting impact on conservation. As TNC’s Maui director, White was responsible for protecting the 5,000-acre Waikamoi Preserve near Haleakala National Park. He had a deep love for the native Hawaiian rainforest and the thousands of species found nowhere else in the world.

To preserve more of the island, he helped form a network of landowners dedicated to conservation. From its start in 1991, The East Maui Watershed Partnership drastically expanded protected acreage on the island. Under his guidance, the partnership model was successfully replicated across the Hawaiian islands. He also consulted on similar projects in Ecuador and Indonesia.

White also recognized the growing problem of newly introduced invasive species to Hawai’i’s fragile ecosystems. He helped start The Maui Invasive Species Committee to take on the unique challenge of eradicating plant and animal pests. The organizational model was also replicated across Hawai’i.

His sincerity, passion, and lifelong love for nature made him a successful and respected advocate, his daughter said.

“He used to talk a lot about how hard it was to watch the natural landscape of Florida disappear to development,” Adia White recalled. “Coming to Hawaii, he fell in love with the natural habitat and saw the opportunity to help save it.”

“He communicated what was at stake if we didn’t take action, and helped people understand that if we didn’t preserve the land, we would lose something really special for future generations.”

Donations in his name can be made to Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed Partnership, The East Maui Watershed Partnership or Hospice Maui.

Comments about Mark at events celebrating his life Sat., May 27, 2023 and Sun., May 28, 2023

Mark said he worked with the Nature Conservancy but he actually helped get it started on Maui & was its director. The speakers were revealing of a humble, wise, kind, funny catalyst for achieving long range goals successfully. Because of Mark, a million acres of watershed were saved & he affected this effort nationally & globally. He mentored people as they aged out of pulling weeds & building fences to management, teaching them to budget, supervise and stay busy, not waste time.

Bobbie Best on what a good friend Mark was to all 

When we had to vacate our condo for 5 days for termite tenting, he immediately offered us space. Turns out I went with my neighbor & our cats but Mark accommodated my husband. One morning I went there at 6:30 & Mark & I walked about an hour & a half & it wasn’t so easy keeping up with him! I learned about him growing up with 10 kids! & the many jobs he took without qualifications that he taught himself to do. What a loss for all who knew him; for him, he’s out of pain