Obituary for Mark Lee White
Mark Lee White, a loving father and friend who dedicated his life to conservation efforts spanning the Hawaiian islands and beyond, died on May 6 of lung cancer. He was 70.
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.
White was born Dec. 11, 1952 in Manila to parents Anna Grace White and Wiley Wilson White II. Growing up in Satellite Beach and Edgewater, Florida, he spent his childhood combing the shore, surfing, playing music and sharing laughs with his four siblings, and later his step- and foster siblings.
Always, the natural world held him in thrall. As a teen, he moved his bedroom to the dock house where he could watch manatees swim in the intercoastal waterway. He deeply loved his family and friends and was known for his nail-biting tales of past adventures. The mischievous twinkle in his eye helped solidify his nickname “King of Secrets,” after his favorite surf spot.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education at the University of Florida, White’s love of the ocean eventually led him to Maui in the late 1970s. There he fell in love with windsurfing and worked at the University of Hawai’i LURE Observatory.
He married his childhood crush Linda Sparks in 1985 and in 1990 the couple welcomed daughter Adia. Family life in Kula was filled with the melodies of bossanova and folk songs that White played on guitar. Linda remained one of his closest friends even after their divorce in 2009.
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.”
White spent the last year of his life with Adia and their cat Midnight at his home in Paia, Maui. Even while undergoing chemotherapy, he could be spotted walking along Baldwin Beach in the mornings and eating breakfast with friends every Saturday in Makawao. Up until his final hours, he showered visitors to his room at Hospice Maui with affection and had everyone in hysterics with his dry wit. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
White is survived by his daughter, Adia White; his former wife, Linda Sparks; sister, Kelen White; brother, Dean White; stepsister, Lejuana Norman; stepbrothers Lonny and Timothy Clemons; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna Grace White and Wiley Wilson White II; stepmother, Janice White; brother, Wiley Wilson White III, and sister, Melissa Krecek.
A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Sat., May 27 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Keokea, Maui. All are welcome. Donations in his name can be made to Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed Partnership, The East Maui Watershed Partnership or Hospice Maui.
Arrangements made at Norman's Mortuary with Online condolences at www.normansmortuary.com.
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.
White was born Dec. 11, 1952 in Manila to parents Anna Grace White and Wiley Wilson White II. Growing up in Satellite Beach and Edgewater, Florida, he spent his childhood combing the shore, surfing, playing music and sharing laughs with his four siblings, and later his step- and foster siblings.
Always, the natural world held him in thrall. As a teen, he moved his bedroom to the dock house where he could watch manatees swim in the intercoastal waterway. He deeply loved his family and friends and was known for his nail-biting tales of past adventures. The mischievous twinkle in his eye helped solidify his nickname “King of Secrets,” after his favorite surf spot.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education at the University of Florida, White’s love of the ocean eventually led him to Maui in the late 1970s. There he fell in love with windsurfing and worked at the University of Hawai’i LURE Observatory.
He married his childhood crush Linda Sparks in 1985 and in 1990 the couple welcomed daughter Adia. Family life in Kula was filled with the melodies of bossanova and folk songs that White played on guitar. Linda remained one of his closest friends even after their divorce in 2009.
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.”
White spent the last year of his life with Adia and their cat Midnight at his home in Paia, Maui. Even while undergoing chemotherapy, he could be spotted walking along Baldwin Beach in the mornings and eating breakfast with friends every Saturday in Makawao. Up until his final hours, he showered visitors to his room at Hospice Maui with affection and had everyone in hysterics with his dry wit. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
White is survived by his daughter, Adia White; his former wife, Linda Sparks; sister, Kelen White; brother, Dean White; stepsister, Lejuana Norman; stepbrothers Lonny and Timothy Clemons; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna Grace White and Wiley Wilson White II; stepmother, Janice White; brother, Wiley Wilson White III, and sister, Melissa Krecek.
A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Sat., May 27 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Keokea, Maui. All are welcome. Donations in his name can be made to Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed Partnership, The East Maui Watershed Partnership or Hospice Maui.
Arrangements made at Norman's Mortuary with Online condolences at www.normansmortuary.com.