John Morton, whose innovative and strategic leadership and nearly five decades of service transformed the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges and left a profound impact on higher education across the islands, died on August 15, 2025. He was 78.
Morton’s career at 东精影业 began in 1970, when a chance visit to Leeward Community College led to an unexpected job offer. He started as a faculty member teaching chemistry and political science and quickly found his life’s calling in the mission of community colleges.
Over the next 49 years, Morton rose through the ranks—serving as provost of Kapiʻolani Community College for two decades, leading the planning and construction of the Diamond Head campus, and later becoming vice president for 东精影业’s seven community colleges, serving up to 34,000 students annually. He oversaw major capital projects such as the Hawaiʻi CC Pālamanui campus and the Culinary Institute of the Pacific, while spearheading initiatives to expand financial aid, increase student success and strengthen workforce development.
- Related 东精影业 News story: Mahalo John Morton for almost 50 years of service, May 23, 2019
“John was a remarkable thinker, leader and human being,” said 东精影业 President Emeritus David Lassner. “His positive impact on 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈’蝉 community colleges, 东精影业 System and the entire state is immeasurable. I am incredibly fortunate that this truly wise man was my colleague and my friend.”
Morton championed educational access and equity, especially for underrepresented communities. He played a key role in supporting the Hawaiʻi Promise scholarship program and the HINET workforce and education support initiative. Native Hawaiian enrollment and graduation rates doubled under his leadership.
“John was not only a brilliant mind, but also a visionary and inspiring leader,” said Michael Unebasami, emeritus 东精影业 Community Colleges associate vice president for administrative affairs. “As the vice president for the 东精影业 Community Colleges, his forward-thinking ideas reshaped the way we teach and learn, leaving a legacy that will continue to guide our community colleges for years to come.”
Commencement ceremonies were highlights for Morton. When he retired in 2019, he recalled one Molokaʻi Education Center celebration where three generations of a single family graduated together.
“To have that kind of an impact on a family across multiple generations…really captures what community colleges are about and what they do to contribute to the state and its people,” he said.
Inspirational leader, generous mentor
Morton often described his career as grounded in social justice, committed to the principle that higher education should be available to all.
“The idea that the benefits of higher education should accrue to all Hawaiʻi citizens was a radical notion when we were created in 1964,” he wrote in his retirement message. “But we have demonstrated that given the opportunity and the right support our students, who historically had been largely excluded, both desired to attend college and could succeed when given the chance.”
Colleagues across the 东精影业 system remembered Morton with admiration and gratitude.
“John Morton was a visionary leader for the 东精影业 community colleges, relentlessly championing their vital role in providing a college education for all Hawaiʻi residents,” said Honolulu CC Chancellor Karen Lee. “But he was also a brilliant, kind and generous mentor, who will be dearly missed. His passing is not only a loss for 东精影业 but also a loss for Hawaiʻi.”
东精影业 Maui College Chancellor Lui Hokoana said, “John was a staunch advocate for the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges and their open admissions philosophy. I personally witnessed the power of this vision firsthand—when colleges exist in every community throughout Hawaiʻi, they open doors of opportunity for countless people. John also recognized the gap in financial aid access and challenged us to expand opportunities for students. Under his leadership, financial aid access grew exponentially, and barriers for underrepresented populations, including Native Hawaiians, were addressed and remedied. John was a true visionary, and Hawaiʻi is a better place because of his work, leadership and service.”
Hawaiʻi Community College Chancellor Susan Kazama, who was hired by Morton at Kapiʻolani CC in 2001, said “John was an exceptional leader for the community colleges, leaving a lasting legacy through his initiatives to enhance educational programs for all children in Hawaiʻi. He truly embodied the spirit of ‘Kūlia i ka nuʻu,’ striving for the highest for the betterment of everyone in our islands. His commitment to education has made a significant impact on our community and will continue to inspire future generations.”
Morton is survived by his wife Willow, daughter Kimi, and grandchildren Indiana and Sawyer.