Bruce Eric Barnes' Obituary
Bruce E Barnes, surrounded by his loving family, died in Honolulu, HI. at age 79 on March 10, 2023. He was an Associate Professor at the University of Hawaii, Manoa for 32 years and at the Matsunaga Institute of Peace and conflict Resolution for 28 years. He taught courses on negotiation, mediation, facilitation, ADR system design, international law and conflict, conflict management for educators, and culture and conflict resolution, and served as academic advisor for the Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution at University of Hawai'i. Bruce completed his 10-year term as chair of the Mediation Centers of Hawai'i, a non-profit composed of 5 mediation centers on all major islands of Hawai'i in 2010. His international background includes Peace Corps service in Africa in Nigeria and serving as a Peace Corps trainer for countries in SE Asia and the South Pacific based in Hawai'i in the 1970s. Bruce has published a number of articles and book chapters on culture and conflict resolution in the Asia Pacific region.
He is the author of a book, "Culture, Conflict and Mediation in the Asian Pacific" (Revised Ed 2007) by University Press of America. He has conducted conflict resolution training and workshops in Micronesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Canada, Viet Nam, Samoa and the U.S. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University, MEd. from Hawai'i, JD from Richardson School of Law (Univ. Hawai'i) in 1977 and LL.M degree in comparative law and dispute resolution in Asia from Columbia University in 1985.
His recreational activities include windsurfing, longboarding, skiing and outdoor beach activities with his wife and kids. He enjoyed the Pacific basin cultures in his travels for work and pleasure. He played slack key guitar and enjoyed singing and playing Hawaiian music with a group of friends and colleagues.
A dedicated family man, he is survived by his wife Ninan of 19 years who is originally from the Philippines, son Shawn Makani (16yo) and daughter Moana Ninia (10yo). Siblings include Jan Green Bernau, Oregon, Doug Barnes of Seattle, Ray and Jim Hennings of Portland, Oregon. Nieces and Nephews include Amy Chitwood Burslem and Marc Chitwood in Oregon, Rory Petke of Seattle, and Elizabeth Green of Sydney, Australia.
A commemoration of Bruce’s life will take place at Diamond Head Mortuary, 529 18th Ave. Honolulu, HI, 96816, on June 10, 2023 at 9:30 am.
To attend the memorial, please contact his wife at [email protected]
or to mailing address at: 1348 17th Ave. Honolulu, HI. 96816
In order to plan for food and beverages.
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