Jan E. Burns, pushed leeward development

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Jan E. Burns




Jan E. Burns, a former Campbell Estate executive, died Feb. 3 of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in St. Louis. She was 57.

Burns worked for the estate for 20 years, moving up the ranks to become manager of special projects. She handled the land transactions that resulted in much of the development of 'Ewa, Makakilo and East Kapolei.

She helped found the 'Ewa Villages Non-Profit Development Corporation, formed to manage money designated for the historic preservation of plantation homes in 'Ewa Villages.

"She had Hawai'i at heart," said Emogene Martin, who worked with Burns on the preservation project as president of the Friends for 'Ewa. "In her own quiet way, she helped preserve 'Ewa's history as well as ensure 'Ewa's future."

"Her early work in 'Ewa and Makakilo helped make fee-simple homeownership a reality for thousands of people," said Steve MacMillan, the chairman and CEO of the James Campbell Co.

Burns ended her career at Campbell Estate when she became ill in 2002. Prior to her Campbell Estate work, Burns worked as a real estate appraiser with her father-in-law, Edward J. Burns. Jan Burns was a 1967 graduate of Kalani High School.

"She was an extraordinary woman who never stopped giving," said her daughter, Juliet Burns. "She is truly loved and deeply missed."

She is survived by her mother, Stella Natale; her daughter, Juliet; five stepchildren and six stepgrandchildren.

Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Andrew's Cathedral in Honolulu. Flowers or donations to the Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute are welcome.