We lost another Punahou74 classmate on September 18, 2021.
James “Jamie” K. Mee’s birth was announced with much enthusiasm in the September 1956 issue of the Punahou Bulletin. There, in the 1942 class notes, was the proclamation: “Mr. and Mrs. Lowell E. Mee (Mariajane Clarke) welcomed their first child, son James Kirkwood late in June in Honolulu. The young man’s father is secretary of the Honolulu Gas Company.” But, as if that were not enough,
a follow-up notice would appear in the January 1957 Bulletin, this time with a picture!
And so the classmate we would know as “Jamie” was introduced to the Punahou family.
Jamie entered Punahou74 in kindergarten (and, yes, he was listed as “Jamie” in the 1962 Na Opio). He would remain with the class during its thirteen year journey through Punahou School.
After graduating from Punahou with honors, Jamie would matriculate into Williams College from which he received a B.A. in History. He would then earn a J.D from the University of California, Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law.
He was admitted to legal practice after passing the Hawaii Bar in 1981. In 1982 he joined the Honolulu law firm of Ashford & Wriston (Yes, “Ashford” as in the father of Bruce, Clinton “Tink” Ashford, was a Punahou classmate to Jamie’s mother.)
It would be at Ashford & Wriston that Jamie would forge his professional career. I called him there once starting off with , “Jamie …” Then, quickly remembering that he went by “James” at work, I backtracked to “James” and immediately apologized for not calling him by his preferred name. As nice as ever, he said, “Lynne, I’ve known you since kindergarten. You can call me ‘Jamie’ anytime.” Wow. Nice. I will never forget that kindness. He was thus forever “Jamie” to me.
Through the years, Jamie developed a practice that included real estate transactions, property rights litigation, land use, estates and trusts, Hawaiian rights, and appeals. This work was buttressed by accreditation as a LEED Professional and associate memberships in both the Honolulu Board of Realtors® and the Hawaii Association of Realtors®
Jamie’s practice was recognized by his receipt of the Hawaii State Bar Association’s 2004 Ki`e Ki`e Award for Pro Bono Service. He was also named as a Hawaii Super Lawyer (2008-2012, 2014-2021) and listed as one of the “Best Lawyers of America,” a peer-initiated honor.
Outside of the office Jamie was an active community volunteer. He founded the Hawaii Small Landowners Association, served on the Oahu Advisory Council of the American Lung Association of Hawaii, and was on the board at the Hawaii chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties. He was an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu and served as a trustee of the Hawaiian Historical Society.
Jamie also volunteered for Punahou School. Until family commitments intervened, he was a regular at the Punahou74’s annual carnival shift.
He also served as President of the Punahou Alumni Association from 1997-1998, one of only two Punahou74 classmates to hold that post. (Do you know who else from Punahou74 served as PAA president?)
Shown to the right is his penultimate Punahou Bulletin PAA column. What’s interesting about it is his shout out to his favorite alumni class, Punahou74!
Finally, as I mentioned above, Luau is just around the corner. Since my class (Class of ’74) is in charge this year, I already know it is going to be a stupendous event! The Luau committee is hard at work, and I’m awed at how many in our class are volunteering for the effort.
Mee, James. “Message from the President.” Punahou Bulletin. Spring 1988: 42.
Some final thoughts from Jamie via his favorite quotes:
You have noticed that the truth comes into this world with two visages. One is sad with suffering, and the other laughs; but it is the same face, laughing or weeping.
Black Elk (as quoted in his Senior Section entry, 1974 Punahou Oahuan: p. 249.)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 (ESV), James Mee Facebook page.
Aloha no, Jamie. Take care.
Aloha Jamie, well remembered from elementary school days! Too many gone too soon, a time for some contemplation….
Hi Lynne- So sad to hear about James Mee. You wrote a very nice article about him! I didn’t know him well.
Mikasa also mentioned that Mike Hopfe passed, too. Not sure how he found out- Sorry if it is old news to you- I know you are up on most things w our class! 🌿Aloha, Babs
Sent from my iPhone
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Mike Yee
Lynne, Just as you wrote… Jamie had the kindest heart for his Punahou Ohana.
If this senior memory of mine is correct… I remember Jamie and I attending kindergarten class with Miss Linton and after school his father would pick him up in a British Green MG TD 2 seater sports car…. I thought Jaime was the coolest dude!
Several decades later I met up with Jamie while he was attending Boalt law school. It was lunch time and my stomach was growling … and suddenly, some how, we end up getting an invite from his Aunty to have lunch at her Berkeley house. Never shy to get a free meal I quickly and ungraciously accepted on our behalf. This was my first experience plucking fresh asparagus shoots at the front porch garden and treated to the BEST homemade asparagus creme soup!
Through the years we would meet a few times and Jamie was always warm and kind …. I even learned he was interested in Horology… a watch collector … you know those watches from Philippe Patek with the gold bodies…not like my plastic Casio.
Jamie, my brother…you will always be the DUDE! Will miss our fun times.
Regards to all,
Michael Yee
Hi Lynne,
My second attempt to comment …
I too recall Jamie’s kindness and his gracious welcome to all of the Punahou Ohana. If my senior memory is correct… We attended kindergarten with Miss Linton as our teacher. There was this one unforgettable day, after kindergarten class, when I saw Jamie’s father drive up the Porte Cochere to pick Jamie up in a British Green MG TD 2 seat sports car. I knew then Jamie was the Dude!
A few years passed (okay more like 2 decades) we met up at Napa Valley. It was lunchtime and my stomach started growling. And somehow out of nowhere…Jamie gets a call from his Napa Valley Aunty inviting us to lunch. As I am never shy to receiving a free meal …I think I shocked Jamie with the speed I ungraciously accepted her invitation on our behalf. It was my first experience plucking garden grown asparagus and then served the most delicious Asparagus Cream soup.
Later I would occasionally bump into Jamie in downtown Honolulu or at the carnival…and true to form, Jamie was again gracious and kind to take the time to catch up on our lives. I later learned Jamie had a Horological hobby…collecting watches…the Philippe Patek kind with the gold body and thin leather wrist straps… a world of difference from my plastic Casio.
What great memories Jamie, my brother….. You are The Dude!
Regards to all,
Michael Yee
I echo Gaye’s sentiment @ reflecting on loss. At this life stage, each class loss is poignant. Jamie’s & Mike’s lives shared a thread of service to others which is at least as admirable as career success. May memories of Jamie & Mike be a blessing.
Yes, Scott was President of the PAA as well! Great column about James!
Nancy D. Metcalf, Realtor, CRS RB-16599
Coldwell Banker Realty
nmetcalf@cbpacific.com; 808-223-9246
Lynne, what a nice tribute to Jim. Thank you for the time you put into it.
Yes, Jim was the kindest.
We were cousins and occasionally hung out together at school, starting with Ms. Linton at Frear Hall, along with Lynne and Mike.
Jim followed a much more dedicated scholarly path than I, but as we grew up, we did see each other at our family Christmas exchanges, usually visiting at their home on Old Pali Rd. I loved Jim’s name…it kinda rolled off… Jamie Mee. Jim was the cousin who never stood out, but always did in his own way…..just how nice he always was.
Jim and I spent more time together in our professional careers as Jim was an expert in Land issues. His mind worked liked his interest, quiet and meticulous like an engineered watch. Jim was just a kindhearted, no edges, warm blanket cousin. So smart, so soft spoken, always so nice.
Jim’s kindness is how I’ll always know him.
Aloha JamieMee.